7 Lakes Alliance

10/06/2026

Do you have key native erosion control species on your property? 🌱

If so, our Shore Corps Stewards would love to talk to you! We are collecting local seeds and propagation materials for our new Native Plant Greenhouse to use in educational workshops and erosion control installations throughout the watershed.

Species high on our list are: Buttonbush, Silky Dogwood, Red Osier Dogwood, P***y Willow, White Meadowsweet, American Elderberry, Common Ninebark, Black Chokeberry, Winterberry, Northern Bayberry, Arrowwood Viburnum, and Serviceberry.

If you think you have any of this plants and want to help build our native plant collection, reach out to us by emailing [email protected] to get in touch! 📧📞

09/28/2026

Looking forward to this 🍂 🎃 Harvest Fest in the village!

Be sure to make the Belgrade Lakes Market a stop on the 10th and pop into the building and say hello. We'll be here! 👋

09/22/2026

Oh no! Please be on the lookout and if you see something, say something.

Tripond Variety owners brought it to our attention that two individuals, a blonde haired woman with a man, exited this vehicle and stole many, many bags of returnable bottles and cans from the North Pond Association bottle redemption boat, which benefits both North Pond and East Pond associations.
The money used from these bottles and cans helps us pay for Courtesy Boat Inspectors who keep our lakes free from invasive plants!
A more powerful camera is being installed in the next couple of days to hopefully deter thieves or at least catch them red-handed next time! Any information you may have will be kept confidential and you can direct message on this page or call the people at the store with anonymous tip at: 207-362-2010
7 Lakes Alliance
East Pond Association, Belgrade Watershed
Pond Association

09/17/2026

We are so proud of our former seasonal Outreach Coordinator, Brynne, for winning an award recognizing her contributions to protecting Maine’s environment. Brynne brought incredible energy and talent to our team this summer, and we are excited to see what the future holds for her!

Please join us in congratulating Brynne on this achievement.

Natural Resources Council of Maine

Sending a huge thank you to all of our supporters and action takers—you are the reason we're making progress to protect Maine's environment.

We hope you'll join us tomorrow September 17th at our annual event, Protecting What We Love, where we will all the get the chance to celebrate our collective accomplishments! 🌲

We'll also be presenting our annual Conservation Leadership Awards to several individuals who have made significant, lasting contributions to safeguarding Maine's environment. It's always so inspiring to hear the words from each of these leaders about what motivates their work to protect the nature of Maine and enjoy an evening together! ☀️

This year's winners include:
- Don Hudson - Lifetime Achievement
- Brynne Robbins
- Rob Tod/Allagash Brewing Company
- Senator Stacy Brenner
- Bambi Jones and Tracy Moskovitz - 2026 People’s Choice Award

09/03/2026

THANK YOU! We are deeply grateful to everyone who shared the vision, made a gift, or commitment to this extraordinary effort.

One step closer to conserving Camp Bomazeen, read the full update online 👉 https://7lakesalliance.org/camp-bomazeen-conservation-project/

09/01/2026

It's baby turtle season! Please look out for tiny shells on roads near water sources.

Groups of baby snapping turtles emerge from underground nests from August-October and slowly head to water. They will often pause and heat up on pavement before moving on, making them an easy target for wildlife predators and vehicles. We found this handful of beautiful babies warming on the road below Wings Mills Dam yesterday. We immediately escorted them into the stream. Other hot spots for turtle nests in the watershed include the North Pond public boat launch.

Where have you spotted baby turtles emerging? Leave comments below! 🐢👇

Photo credit: John McPhedran, AIS program at Maine Department of Environmental Protection

09/01/2026

Join us as we come together to celebrate another year of protecting the lakes and lands we all love.

RSVP online here: https://forms.donorsnap.com/form?id=46fb8afa-58e9-415e-93de-961af84841f8

Date: Wednesday, September 9
Time: 4:00-6:00 PM
Location: The Lodge on McGrath Pond at 152 Camp Tracy Meadows, Oakland, ME

Agenda
4:00-5:00 PM Social
Mix and mingle with 7 Lakes Alliance Scientists and Program Directors to learn about what’s happening across the watershed.

5:00-6:00 PM
Welcome
State of 7 Lakes Alliance
Presentation of the Eddie Mayer Community Conservation Award
Q&A with 7 Lakes Program directors

Thank You Annual Meeting Event Sponsor: Central Maine Motors Auto Group

08/28/2026

The summer growing season presses on, despite some visible algae colonies in surface waters, all the lakes are clear.

Water Clarity Update:

East Pond - 5.1 m (16.6 ft)
North Pond- 5.5 m (18 ft)
McGrath Pond - 4.8 m (15.7 ft)
Salmon Lake - 6.5 m (21.3 ft)
Great Pond - 7.2 m (23.5 ft)
Upper Long - 6.6 m (21.5 ft)
Lower Long - 6.7 m (21.8 ft)
Messalonskee Lake - 5.3 m (17.4 ft)

Water clarity is measured as Secchi Depth. Measurements are in meters and a deeper Secchi means clearer water. Less than 2 meters (6 feet) indicates a severe algae bloom, and greater than 4 meters (13 feet) indicates good water clarity.

Belgrade Lakes Association
East Pond Association, Belgrade Watershed
McGrath Pond-Salmon Lake Association
Friends of Messalonskee
North Pond Association

08/28/2026

Here’s what can happen when boaters skip inspections.

A routine survey in Great Meadow Stream uncovered an unwelcome discovery: European Frogbit, a new invasive species for the stream.

Invasive Aquatics Director Sharon Mann shares more about the discovery 👉

https://7lakesalliance.org/news/dont-be-that-boater/

Belgrade Lakes Association

I paddled down Great Meadow Stream to conduct a routine survey for the few remaining, scattered plants of invasive variable-leaf milfoil.

08/26/2026

Your septic system, your shoreline, and your lake are more connected than you think.

Come learn something that can make a real difference for our lakes at the Buffer & Septic Workshop. You'll hear from experts and learn practical ways to reduce erosion and pollution and protect the water you love.

We’ll cover:

🌱 Buffers & native plants
💦 Water quality
🏡Septics & soils
⛈️Stormwater runoff & erosion
🌿Plus, a buffer tour and planting demo

Lunch will be provided, workshop cost is $20/person.

📍7 Lakes Alliance, Belgrade Lakes on Monday, August 31 | 8:30 AM–1 PM

Learn more & register: https://7lakesalliance.org/event/buffer-septic-workshop/