Lakes Environmental Association

06/15/2026

Please join us in welcoming our seasonal milfoil control and water testing staff for Summer 2026! This year, we have 18 milfoil divers and 3 water testing interns who will be spending this season protecting and monitoring our lakes and waterways. Welcome to the team, and here's to a great summer!

06/03/2026

Spring has been good to us this year. What is your favorite spring wildflower?

06/03/2026

Check out this great photo essay by the Onion Foundation about collective efforts across the state to address invasive aquatic plants:

"Protecting Maine’s freshwater resources takes a coordinated and collaborative effort among organizations such as Lake Stewards of Maine, Lakes Environmental Association, 7 Lakes Alliance, 30 Mile River Watershed Association, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, local municipalities, lake associations, and hundreds of dedicated volunteers.

Together, these experts and volunteers educate, survey, map, remove, and monitor invasive plants — working to keep the state’s lakes clean and healthy for all.”

See the whole photo essay on the Onion Foundation’s website below.

Learn the steps invasive plant patrollers take to prevent the spread of dangerous invasives and protect the lakes that Mainers hold dear.

05/29/2026

What do these photos have in common?

You guessed it! They’re all variable-leaf milfoil, the most common invasive aquatic plant in Maine. They are also all recent photos. Courtesy Boat Inspections are underway for the summer, and these milfoil specimens were found growing near boat launches on Long Lake and Sebago Lake.

Milfoil grows quickly, and the LEA milfoil crew has been back out manually removing it for a few weeks now. You can help stop the spread of invasive aquatic plants by doing self-inspections of your boat. Remember to “clean, drain, & dry” your boat — take care to check the propeller, depth finder, trailer and bunks, and drain any water from the boat, bilge, or livewell.

05/27/2026

Congratulations to Trinnidy Bradley, recipient of the 2026 LEA scholarship!

Trinnidy will receive a four-year, renewable scholarship to cover tuition, fees, and educational expenses at the University of Missouri in Kansas City, where she plans to study Medical Biology. Trinnidy grew up in Naples and will graduate from Lake Region High School with the class of 2026. She competed in the Maine 2026 Envirothon with the LRHS team. Trinnidy is working at Camp Kingswood on Woods Pond this summer before heading to school.

Learn more about the LEA scholarship program at:
https://mainelakes.org/lea-scholarship/

05/18/2026

It is absolutely beautiful at the Holt Pond Preserve right now, but also very wet. Mary went out on Sunday and almost all the boardwalks are flooded. Tall boots or sandals strongly recommended, and be careful as it might be slippery. If you do go out, keep your eyes peeled for rhodora and dwarf ginseng.

05/13/2026

Registration is open for our 9th annual Paddle Battle! The 2026 Maine Lakes Open Paddleboard and Kayak Race will be Sunday, July 5th, at Tarry A While Resort on Highland Lake. We will have 2K and 5K courses as well as a kids’ race, kayak raffle, and silent auction items. All proceeds benefit LEA.

Early bird registration is available through June 1st. Register at www.mainelakes.org/paddlebattle.

05/08/2026

Thanks to everyone who joined us for the 24th annual Maine Summit on Aquatic Invasive Species last week in Augusta. We gathered with folks from across the state to discuss current issues surrounding aquatic invasive species, including lessons from the Eurasian water milfoil save last summer, updates on new infestations, and prevention through efforts such as the courtesy boat inspection program.

Please remember to clean, drain, and dry your boat between water bodies this summer, and thanks to everyone who works so hard to protect our lakes.