About the Lake Protection Coalition
The Lake Protection Coalition (LPC) is a collection of organizations, supported by individuals and businesses, who are uniting to advance innovative, effective, science-based policy change, including long-term funding for sustaining healthy lakes in Maine. By bringing together those who care about and rely on our lakes, and coordinating and strengthening advocacy efforts, we can meet the many challenges of this moment and protect our lakes, ponds, and freshwaters for future generations.
Lake Protection Coalition FAQs
Is the Lake Protection Coalition a 501(c)3 organization?
The Lake Protection Coalition is a coalition and not its own 501(c)3 organization. The six organizations that founded the coalition serve as the coalition’s steering committee.
How is the Lake Protection Coalition funded?
The Coalition is currently supported by a generous grant from the Onion Foundation and from several anonymous individuals. Maine Lakes is the current fiscal sponsor for grant awards to the coalition. We will be looking to secure funding from diverse sources to support future work.
What is the Lake Protection Coalition’s vision?
Members of the Lake Protection Coalition envision a future where all of Maine’s lakes are clean, healthy, and resilient. Lakes anchor our environment, economy, and way of life. They are protected by state and local stewards, sustained funding, and strong policies that safeguard their natural beauty and draw people to live, work, and play in Maine. From iconic summer camps to thriving tourism, from wildlife habitat and quality sport-fishing to clean drinking water, our lakes are valuable assets—and they need protection to last generations.
How will the Lake Protection Coalition be effective?
While lake groups in the state have worked together for many years to promote smart lake policies and effective actions, it has become increasingly clear that our lakes face growing risks and that we must do more. By bringing more lake advocates together, the Lake Protection Coalition will leverage existing networks, build connections to legislators and decision-makers, strategically plan for future lake policies and outreach needs, and ultimately bring a louder, and more proactive, lake protection voice to the table. Without an effective coalition working for our lakes’ future, we risk losing the abundance of healthy lakes we enjoy and paying far more to fix lake health problems in the future.
How can I join the coalition?
Visit the “Act Now” page to sign up to receive regular updates. You can also contact us at [email protected].
LPC Steering Committee
Lake Stewards of Maine
Lake Stewards of Maine is a statewide nonprofit protecting lakes and promoting stewardship through widespread citizen participation in the gathering and dissemination of credible scientific information about lake health. LSM trains, certifies and supports hundreds of volunteers who monitor a wide range of indicators of water quality, assess watershed health and function, and screen lakes for invasive aquatic plants and animals.
Maine Lakes
Maine Lakes is a statewide nonprofit that works to keep Maine’s lakes healthy by managing the LakeSmart program, supporting local lake associations, promoting freshwater education initiatives, advocating for sound lake policies, and providing resources and a “lake library” for lake residents and visitors.
30 Mile River Watershed Association
30 Mile is a regional nonprofit in central Maine that works to keep over 20 lakes and ponds in our area clean and healthy. They partner with local lake associations and towns to deal with the threats of invasive species, development and climate change. Hands-on efforts include boat inspections, aquatic plant surveys, invasive species management, LakeSmart, and water quality monitoring. 30 Mile also helps fund and manage projects that reduce polluted runoff and protect water quality.
7 Lakes Alliance
7 Lakes Alliance, a regional non-profit, conserves lands and waters of the Belgrade Lakes region for all in support of vibrant communities and economies. With public and private partners, they monitor, research, and remediate water quality, prevent invasive species spread, and prevent and control erosion through the LakeSmart and the Youth Conservation Corps programs.
Lakes Environmental Association
A regional lake association based in the upper Sebago Lake Region, LEA works to protect water quality on 41 lakes and ponds in western Maine. LEA runs the statewide Courtesy Boat Inspection program, hosts the annual Milfoil Summit, and runs the Maine Lake Science Center. Their programs include: control and prevention of invasive species, water quality monitoring, restoration and mitigation, and landowner and municipal technical assistance.
Cobbossee Watershed District
CWD protects and improves the 28 lakes and ponds of the Cobbossee Stream watershed. Activities include water level management, water quality monitoring, and restoration projects.
