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ROME — Volunteers from the Travis Mills Foundation recently joined the 7 Lakes Alliance’s Youth Conservation Corps and Belgrade Lake Association’s LakeSmart Program for the installation of a rain garden, large buffer garden and an infiltration trench to prevent soil erosion into Long Pond at the Travis Mills Foundation Veterans Retreat.
Excess phosphorus from soil erosion is a leading cause of harmful algal blooms in our lakes.
The foundation chose Maine in part for its abundance of lakes and wildlife, which provide peace and tranquility for veteran families who attend its retreats. Erosion buffers are an important step toward keeping Long Pond clean and clear so that the Travis Mills Foundation can continue to provide a healthy retreat environment for recalibrated veterans and their families. This new partnership aims to protect water quality, wildlife and recreation.
“One of the largest attractions of our retreat is our lakefront, noted TMF Executive Director Brandy Cain. “We know that our veteran families enjoy Maine’s freshest waters because we all have a shared interest in the viability of our lakes. By taking these proactive measures, the Travis Mills Foundation can ensure that weare doing our part for better lakes for us all.”
“7 Lakes Alliance Youth Conservation Corps is excited and honored to partner with the Travis Mills Foundation to protect Long Pond by keeping eroding soil and the excess phosphorus it carries from ever getting into the lake — a key step toward preventing harmful algal blooms,” added Laura Rose Day, alliance CEO. “Our partnership will benefit the families who visit the foundation and everyone else who depends upon a healthy Long Pond for work, play and a healthy place to live.”
Buffers and vegetated areas along the shoreline, are essential for protecting the lake, stressed Sabine Fontaine, LakeSmart Coordinator for the Belgrade Lakes Association. “They are the last layer of defense against stormwater runoff before it enters the lake.”
“I’m proud to use skills and experience from my five years with the Youth Conservation Corps to install rain buffer gardens to help Travis Mills Foundation take steps to protect the lake,” said Jacob Violette, crew leader for the 7 Lakes Alliance YCC. “I hope future YCC crew members will help maintain the benefits of this project far into the future.”
The project took place Sept. 3 on the waterfront at the Travis Mills Foundation, which supports recalibrated veterans and their families through long-term programs that help these heroic men and women overcome physical obstacles, strengthen their families, and provide well-deserved rest and relaxation.
