The board and staff of Maine Lakes and Lake Stewards of Maine would like to extend a special invitation to our lake association members and supporters to join us at the Wells Conference Center on the beautiful University of Maine Orono campus for a full day of learning from each other and from lake experts about ways we can work together to protect the health of Maine's amazing lakes.

Lake Associations are on the front lines of critical lake conservation projects across the state. This conference helps inform and engage your members, bringing them together to network with other association members, share ideas, and find new ways to take action on behalf of their lakes. Please extend this invitation to your members by forwarding this email or by sharing the "View as Webpage" link above

You can also cut and paste this short invitation into your newsletter or enews. Thank you for sharing this with fellow association members!

Registration opens today. Take advantage of the early bird registration rate for a discount and to save your spot at this year’s conference. Early bird registration is available until May 1st. There are additional discounts for water quality, LakeSmart and invasive plant patrol volunteers.

Our full slate of speakers has not yet been finalized, but presentations and panels will focus on the theme Lake Resilience in the Face of Change. While climate change is one obvious change posing huge threats to our lakes health, we are also thinking about how we can better manage our watersheds, build shoreline buffers, and keep our lake associations strong and our lake volunteers engaged as land use and demographics change in the coming years.

For on-going conference updates, visit the conference webpage HERE.

Conference highlights include:

Coffee Mixer: Come early to start the day with a coffee and a muffin while you meet your fellow volunteers, association members, and lake activists, facilitated by staff from several different lake programs.

Keynote Speaker: Keith Carson, Maine Conservation Voters

Former meteorologist for NewsCenter Maine and The Weather Channel and now the Director of Environmental and Science Communications at Maine Conservation Voters, Keith is on a mission to share the science of climate change and motivate people to make positive changes for the earth. Keith will share his expertise on ways to communicate effectively and take action, framed in the future of lakes in the face of change.

Plenary Speaker: Sabrina Koetter, University of Vermont

Currently wrapping up her Master’s thesis work at the University of Vermont, Sabrina will share results from her research into pathways of information sharing and outcomes for participants in volunteer water monitoring programs. Some of you may have interacted with Sabrina over the last year, or filled out her survey. She will share lessons learned and ways to help us all engage more people in action for healthy lakes as they face a changing future.

Lake Association Panel: 

Hear from lake association members about some of the innovative and engaging ways they have recruited volunteers, expanded their programming, and engaged with their communities. The panel will energize you and your association!

Lake Advocacy Update:  

Hear an update on the latest policy developments in Augusta, as well as exciting plans by the newly formed Lake Protection Coalition to increase outreach, education, and action around clean and healthy lakes.

Afternoon Speakers will include a presentation by Maine Audubon on their new initiative, Forests for Maine’s Fish, and a presentation by Ivonne Vasquez from Bas Rouge Farms about the role and value of native plants as shoreline buffers. More speakers to be scheduled in the coming weeks. Check the Conference Website for updates. 

Silent Auction/Raffle: 

Bid on native plants, books, art and more! Proceeds go directly to cover conference expenses.

Early Bird registration ends May 1st

We hope to see you there!

Register Now!