Watershed Stewards

Rick Kersbergen, Extension Educator
richardk@umext.maine.edu

Waldo County has many lakes and ponds. Three of the largest (Swan, Lake St. George, and Winnecook) have active Watershed Stewards programs.

Watershed Stewards is a volunteer training program, similar to Master Gardeners. Interested individuals (many from lake Associations) participate in 25-30 hours of training on non-point source pollution, lake biology and erosion control. In return, the "stewards" are asked to volunteer time to educate their neighbors on ways they can minimize non-point source pollution going into the lake.

The past two years, participants from Swan and Winnecook have participated in the trainings with a high rate of success with volunteerism. Both lake groups have conducted Watershed surveys to help try and identify problem areas and work cooperatively with willing land owners.

The Swan Lake Association and Stewards received a grant for $12,600.00 for implementing demonstration projects around the lake to teach camp owners about vegetated buffers, road maintenance and erosion control.

In September of 2000, Unity College students teamed up with the Winnecook Lake Stewards to conduct a "day of service" in which more than 100 college students worked with landowners, towns and businesses to improve sites around the watershed.

Private drinking water quality questions are also a frequent issue with Extension clients. Homeowners are directed do certified laboratories and appropriate tests are indicated. Corrective methods for remediation are often suggested.

Please visit the University of Maine Cooperative Extension's Water Quality website at http://www.umaine.edu/waterquality/ for more info

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Last Modified: 02/28/07
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