Thank you for your comment. The formation of the non-profit organization, Friends of Big Island Pond is a key piece to this effort. It's mission is to promote the stewardship of the lake. Although located in NH, Big Island Pond is nestled in three communities, one of which has a high density (42,000) population. The associated problems of growth in the lake's watershed area has been felt over time. For example, salt from roads making its way to the lake waters.
Friends of Big Island Pond is committed to grow its capital through grant funding and legacy donations from folks who have lived on the lake for generations. Reaching out to the school aged children and residents in the three towns and raising awareness on an ongoing basis will be the heart of sustainability.
Rose Colby
Hi David,
Relative to replicability, the state agencies have always relied on chemical herbicide treatment. The sensitivity of this issue among environmentalists and residents on the lake has challenged yet engaged a huge volunteer effort. Although expensive and requiring multiple treatments, chemical herbicide requires little investment, other than financial. It is controversial on many levels because it isn't a 'one dose treatment' and it is very expensive. Suction harvesting is equally as effective, and some would argue, more effective and does not have the environmental impact yet requires more manpower.
When the residents of the lake would not vote to expend funds for chemical treatment, it opened the door to galvanize a huge volunteer effort by building a suction harvester ourselves and getting to work to get this job done during the summer of 2009. Our efforts were seen by local media and the NH Lakes Association. Our lake is being used as a model now in the state. In fact, the organization is now offering grant money to start up lakes in suction harvesting. Interestingly enough, the state has donated to this NH Lakes fund where it has only supported an integrated approach of chemical, suction harvesting and lake monitoring in the past. Training our own scuba divers and certifying them in harvesting milfoil (separate NH certification) has been a key piece to the program and has deepened our capacity to put divers in the water on a weekly basis. We are working on 100 acres out of 523 acres, either harvesting or continually monitoring due to past presence of milfoil.
Comments
Hi Rose, I think your group represents well the spirit of this challenge.
I would like to know more about the potential for sustainability and replication.
After the initial grant funding can it be sustained completely by the local community?
How can more private citizens become involved in contributing resources (time, materials, expertise, or cash) to the effort?
How would the model be taken to other communities around lakes or other nature areas in your area?
Thank you for your comment. The formation of the non-profit organization, Friends of Big Island Pond is a key piece to this effort. It's mission is to promote the stewardship of the lake. Although located in NH, Big Island Pond is nestled in three communities, one of which has a high density (42,000) population. The associated problems of growth in the lake's watershed area has been felt over time. For example, salt from roads making its way to the lake waters.
Friends of Big Island Pond is committed to grow its capital through grant funding and legacy donations from folks who have lived on the lake for generations. Reaching out to the school aged children and residents in the three towns and raising awareness on an ongoing basis will be the heart of sustainability.
Rose Colby
Hi David,
Relative to replicability, the state agencies have always relied on chemical herbicide treatment. The sensitivity of this issue among environmentalists and residents on the lake has challenged yet engaged a huge volunteer effort. Although expensive and requiring multiple treatments, chemical herbicide requires little investment, other than financial. It is controversial on many levels because it isn't a 'one dose treatment' and it is very expensive. Suction harvesting is equally as effective, and some would argue, more effective and does not have the environmental impact yet requires more manpower.
When the residents of the lake would not vote to expend funds for chemical treatment, it opened the door to galvanize a huge volunteer effort by building a suction harvester ourselves and getting to work to get this job done during the summer of 2009. Our efforts were seen by local media and the NH Lakes Association. Our lake is being used as a model now in the state. In fact, the organization is now offering grant money to start up lakes in suction harvesting. Interestingly enough, the state has donated to this NH Lakes fund where it has only supported an integrated approach of chemical, suction harvesting and lake monitoring in the past. Training our own scuba divers and certifying them in harvesting milfoil (separate NH certification) has been a key piece to the program and has deepened our capacity to put divers in the water on a weekly basis. We are working on 100 acres out of 523 acres, either harvesting or continually monitoring due to past presence of milfoil.
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