UMaine Extension’s Watershed Stewards program provides 20 hours of training designed to help local citizens recognize threats to their lakes, and gives them the tools needed to reduce or eliminate those threats. In turn, stewards complete at least 20 hours of service to their watershed, which can include projects such as cataloguing pollution sources and working with state agencies to reduce the impacts of these sources. There is no cost to participate, and all stewards receive a comprehensive resource notebook at no charge.

Extension Assistant Scientist Laura Wilson noted that “the majority of topics we’ll be covering are relevant to any local lake or pond—so if you’re on Sebec, Schoodic or one of the other area lakes, you are welcome to join us!” There are many sources of pollution in this area—commercial sites, logging roads, private roads and residential properties—that threaten the health of this particular watershed. “It is up to us, Maine's citizens, to recognize these sources of pollution and correct these problems,” stressed Wilson.