On Labor Day, our lake association successfully completed an invasive plant survey of a small area on Androscoggin Lake. We surveyed the areas around the boat ramps both at the Yacht Club and on route 133.
There were six volunteers in all. We started around 8:30am. It was a beautiful morning to be out on the lake and to learn something about identifying potentially invasive plants.
The most important news is that no invasive plants were identified by this survey.
There are eleven invasive plants which have been identified as a threat to Maine lakes. This is a lot of plants. So, one of the best ways to be able to spot the potentially invasive ones is to first become familiar with what is native to our own lake. Yesterday, we all enjoyed learning how to identify some of Androscoggin’s native plants. Among others, this list included the following:
large purple bladderwart
coontail
little floating heart
large leaf pondweed
fragrant water lily
common waterweed
The website for the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program (VLMP) has a host of information on both invasive and non-invasive plants.
If you have any questions at all about any plants that you might find on the lake, do not hesitate to contact our lake association (ALIC) at info@androscogginlake.org.
Of course, we will be conducting more surveys next summer, and we encourage everyone to get involved in helping to keep invasive plants out of Androscoggin Lake. Watch the Androscoggin Lake Improvement Corporation (ALIC) website next spring and summer for more information about classes, seminars, and opportunities to get involved. And, don’t forget to subscribe to our new Yahoo Group.
Reserve Friday evening, August 13, for an educational and awe-inspiring program on loons, presented by Susan Gallo of Maine Audubon and hosted by ALIC. The multi-media presentation will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Ladd Center on Gott Rd. in Wayne. Come learn more about these fascinating water fowl and how you can help them on Androscoggin Lake. ALIC will also have their new t-shirts and lake charts available for sale that evening. We look forward to seeing you!
Several area contractors have signed on with ALIC as participating vendors for the upcoming Septic Seminar to be held Friday evening, July 23, at the Ladd Center in Wayne. The goal of the program is to inform folks in the lake community on how best to use and care for their septic systems in order to obtain maximum longevity and also have minimum impact on lake water quality. To encourage action by Androscoggin Lake property owners whose septic systems may be in need of significant attention, ALIC is offering three prizes of $700 each towards system replacement or major upgrade. In addition, several area contractors have signed on as participating vendors, contributing vouchers for major discounts on services including site evaluation and system design, perc tests, and installation of a chambers system. All prizes will be awarded through a drawing held at the July 23 event.
For more information about becoming a participating vendor or qualifying for a prize, click on Contact Us on the website homepage and send ALIC an e-mail.
The Board of ALIC is excited about offering two informative seminars to our lake community this summer. Both will be held on Friday evenings, July 23 and Aug. 13, beginning at 7:00, at the Ladd Center in Wayne. The events are free of charge and will include refreshments. The focus for July 23rd. will be on septic systems and how to best maintain them for maximum longevity and minimum impact on the lake. There will be a speaker from the State Dept. of Environmental Health and at least one local plumbing inspector on hand to answer questions. In addition, ALIC will be offering some incentive drawings, both cash and in-kind services, to property owners around Androscoggin lake whose septic systems are in need of significant attention. Watch for more details in this blog and in a flyer to be distributed around the lake. The Aug. 13 seminar will bring Maine Audubon’s multi-media presentation on LOONS, which depicts a year in the life of a Maine loon and includes photos that will both awe and inspire you.
We hope you’ll attend these seminars whose intent is to inform the lake community of pertinent issues and encourage good stewardship. We look forward to seeing you at these gatherings!
Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 10 for the ALIC annual meeting at the Androscoggin Yacht Club in Wayne. We’ll have our always-delicious potluck brunch beginning at 8:30 a.m. followed by our business meeting. Come greet your lake neighbors and learn what ALIC has planned for this summer season!
The ALIC annual meeting will be held a bit earlier this season. Please reserve Saturday morning July 10 for the always-delicious potluck brunch followed by our business meeting. We look forward to seeing you at the Yacht Club in Wayne. More details to come!
Who would have thought last year that we’d have open water on Androscoggin Lake on St. Patrick’s Day? Looks like the last thin sheet of ice lingering on the Leeds side of the lake may be melted tomorrow. Last spring’s ice out was April 12. Happy Spring, everyone!
ALIC recently formed its own Yahoo Group. Go to www.groups.yahoo.com and find “AndroscogginLake.” Participation will be limited for the time being to the association’s membership, who will have the option of joining the group (yahoo account required) or joining the mailing list. Updates about the lake, as well as messages regarding lake association business, will be sent periodically throughout the year in an effort to strengthen the connection which we share.
