A Year At 7 Lakes Alliance
We’ve been looking forward to this day for at least a month, ever since spring returned to the Belgrade Lakes watershed. As is often the case, busy schedules and family commitments kept us off the water longer than we had hoped. But at last, the moment arrived: time to return to Lower Long Pond in our kayaks.
My wife Wyatt and I were fortunate to paddle on a cool, clear day. For me, kayaking is not just recreation — it facilitates a spiritual connection with the water. I don’t feel like I’m on the water, but rather a part of it. As an ecologist by training and a lifelong outdoor enthusiast, I carry this deep connection in all parts of my life and with all the work we do at 7 Lakes Alliance.
It’s hard to believe a full year has passed since we returned to Maine. And in that time, so much has been accomplished — thanks to our dedicated team and the support of this remarkable community. You’ll find the full story in our 2024 Annual Report, but here are a few highlights:
- Land Conservation: Over 1,000 acres were protected last year through conservation easements and fee purchases, including critical parcels near Lower Long Pond and East Pond that safeguard water quality, wildlife habitat and old growth forest.
- Lake Science: Over 2,000 water quality samples have been taken in the watershed across all seasons enhancing our understanding of lake ecosystem functioning and dynamics.
- Invasive Aquatics: Our invasive aquatics team continues to be vigilant in the ongoing control efforts which have become more complex with longer seasons and new aggressive species. Our Courtesy Boat Inspectors prevented numerous invasive plant fragments from leaving and entering our lakes.
- Erosion Control: Our Erosion Control and Youth Conservation Corps completed hundreds of projects to limit sediment and nutrient runoff in our lakes.
- Education and Outreach: We launched our floating classroom boat, hosting more than 250 students who learned about lake ecology right on the water.
- Recreation: We expanded our trail system, including the opening of our first universal access trail.
These milestones reflect real progress, yet we know the challenges ahead are real. Our lands and waters are more vulnerable than ever — to human impact, to unsustainable development pressure and to the accelerating effects of climate change. These shifts are arriving faster than anyone predicted just five or ten years ago, even as funding from state and federal sources becomes more difficult to secure.
Yet I remain optimistic. 7 Lakes Alliance has the expertise, the passion, and the momentum to meet these challenges head-on and to lead in watershed science both regionally and nationally. I’m honored to be part of this organization and grateful for the strong support we receive from this community and beyond.
As Wyatt and I made our way over to Lost Pond, we paused to drift. We watched herons and loons, listened to the gentle sounds of nature, and sat in stillness. It reminded us, as it always does, of why this work matters.
Dr. Chris Monz is president and CEO of 7 Lakes Alliance.
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