Friends of Big Island Pond

03/11/2026

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Mud season in New Hampshire isn’t just messy—it can impact the health of our lakes.

As snow melts and spring rains arrive, muddy runoff water can carry sediment, nutrients like phosphorus, and other pollutants into nearby lakes. That runoff can cloud the water, harm aquatic habitats, and fuel unwanted algae growth.

The good news? Small actions on your property can make a big difference:

🌱 Maintain and add to shoreline vegetation to prevent erosion.

🚧 Make sure driveways and drainage systems direct runoff water away from the lake.

🪨 Stabilize muddy paths with gravel, mulch, or woodchips.

🐾 Always pick up pet waste.

🚶 Stick to walking on designated paths to avoid disturbing wet soil.

Mud season is the perfect time to watch how water flows across your property and fix problem areas before they cause problems in the lake. Cleaner yards = healthier lakes! 🌊

Learn more and get lake-friendly tips: https://nhlakes.org/protecting-lake-health-during-mud-season/

12/30/2025

Thursday January 1st is Friends of Big Island Pond night at Labelle Lights. 50% of all ticket sales using the ticket access code BIGISLANDPOND2025 will be donated to Friends of Big Island Pond! So, if you plan to go, please follow the directions below. FBIP appreciates your support!

Go to labellewinery.com
Click on “Labelle Lights” (top of page, far right)
Then click “Visit LaBelle Lights”
Click, “CLICK HERE TO GET TICKETS”(red text)
Select January 1 2026, and a time of your choosing (any time will work for the evening)
Click ‘Use ticket access code’
Enter “BigIslandPond2025”
Click ‘Apply’ in the green box
Scroll down until you see “Friends of Big Island Pond Fundraiser” and select your tickets there, not under Tickets
Proceed to check out

11/30/2025

Friends of Big Island Pond FOOD DRIVE

The government shutdown put lots of pressure on every local food pantry. Friends is organizing a food drive to help replenish the shelves at St. Anne’s in Hampstead and Sunshine Soup Kitchen in Derry. We’ve got local drop off locations around the lake and will be glad to pick up if you can’t drop off.

Drop off location: 413 1/2 Chases Grove Road (place items in cooler, or put in protected plastic bags)

Collecting: Now until Sunday Dec 14.

To coordinate a pickup or to volunteer as a drop off location, please email Steve Whitley at [email protected].

Volunteers Welcome (contact Steve)
- Drop off location (get Steve your address and drop off instructions)
- Logistics (pickup truck, helper)

(They have plenty of canned goods, so pass on those)
Items needed:
Pasta sauce
Pasta
Ramen noodles
Salad kits
Coffee
Peanut butter
Jellies or jams
Salsa
Stuffing
Syrup
Salad dressing
Barbecue sauce
Instant mashed potatoes
Pudding cups
Bottled water
Packaged cookies
Zip lock sandwich bags
Plastic utensils

Liquid laundry detergent (small sizes)
NEW men’s underwear
NEW women’s underwear
Feminine pads
Deodorant
Chapstick (w/ SPF)
Blankets
Body wash
Body lotion
Hand towels
10 gal trash bags

Thanks in advance for your participation!

09/20/2025

09/18/2025

🛠️ Septic Tip of the Day: Schedule Regular Inspections and Pumping! 🚨💩

Your septic system works behind the scenes, but that doesn't mean it can be ignored.

✅ Have it inspected by a licensed professional at least every 3 years—including the tank, valves, and leach field.

🕵️♂️ These check-ups help catch small problems before they turn into messy (and expensive!) disasters.

Protect your home 💙 and your lake 🌊—it all starts underground.

09/18/2025

It's SepticSmart Week (Sept 15–19)! 🚽💧

Did you know your septic system plays a big role in keeping our lakes clean and healthy? Failing systems can leak harmful nutrients and bacteria into nearby waters—fueling toxic cyanobacteria blooms and threatening the lakes we all love. 🦠

That’s why NH LAKES is proud to partner with the U.S. EPA to spread the word during !

Taking care of your system isn’t just about avoiding backups at home—it’s about protecting what’s above by maintaining what’s below. 💚🌊

All week long, we’ll be sharing easy, impactful tips to help you take action and be a better lake steward.

💙 Follow along to do your part for New Hampshire’s lakes!

08/12/2025

During the month of August, when you purchase a reusable shopping bag at Hannaford, Friends of Big Island Pond will receive a donation from them. The bags are not just useful at the grocery store. They make for great boat bags to carry snacks, towels, etc. Come on out and support your lake!