It’s to all our advantages to protect our lakes from variable milfoil and other aquatic invasive species that can tangle our feet when we swim, hamper passage for our boats, and destroy habitat for native species.
On Wednesday, June 10, at 7PM, join the Chocorua Lake Conservancy for “Protecting Our Lakes from Aquatic Invasive Species”, a live online presentation in partnership with the Cook Memorial Library in Tamworth. Learn to protect the beautiful waters of Chocorua Lake and other nearby water bodies from aquatic invasive species. Biologist Amy Smagula from the NH Department of Environmental Services will share a presentation on prevention, early detection, and identification of plants and animal species of concern to the health, recreational values and aesthetics of our freshwater systems. Participants can request a Weed Watcher kit, which contains materials to help them identify good and bad species on their own, with the option to volunteer as a “weed watcher” for their local waterbody. The more eyes out there monitoring and reporting, the better. Early detection of these species can make the difference between eradication and long-term management. Then, if you’re able, join us on Friday, June 19, from 8-10:30AM for a “weed watching” paddle on Chocorua Lake with Lynne Flaccus. Bring your canoe or kayak and meet in the Grove at the end of Chocorua Lake Road.
Amy Smagula is a limnologist with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services where she coordinates the Exotic Species Program. Amy was born and raised in New Hampshire (making her a native species). She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, and a Master of Science in Water Resources Management, both from the University of New Hampshire, Durham. Amy has been studying and managing lakes of New Hampshire for over 20 years. She lives in Epsom with her husband, son and their German shepherd, Gunther.
To access the talk, go to bit.ly/protectlakes on Wednesday, June 10, at 7PM. If you haven’t been on Zoom before, come on a little early and you will be prompted to download the software, or paste the link into your browser to do this anytime between now and the 10th. You can also find the live link at www.chocorualake.org and on the CLC Facebook events page. You probably won’t need to do this, but if prompted to, enter Meeting ID 828 4186 5728 and password 114230.
Banner: Milfoil. Image courtesy of NHDES.