Rangeley area volunteer lake monitoring, loon count volunteers needed

PHOTO: Water quality monitor Lexi Daggett takes a Secchi reading. (RLHT photo)

RANGELEY — The Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust’s Headwaters Lake Protection Program needs volunteer help from the community.
“Volunteers are essential here at RLHT,” said Alayna McNally, water quality steward. “With COVID-19 still in action, a lot of dedicated seasonal residents cannot make it back to the region to help us out. Any help you can provide us to protect our lakes would be appreciated. Training is available.”
Volunteer positions include water quality monitors, invasive plant patrollers, and loon counters. Water quality monitor bi-weekly recording Secchi, dissolved oxygen, possibly a phosphorus grab in the middle of July and August. Invasive plant patrollers paddle around the littoral zones of area lakes, identifying plants and mapping them.
This year, RLHT is coordinating loon count volunteers for Maine Audubon from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 18. Contact Alayna McNally at headwaters@rlht.org for information within the Rangeley region, or sign up online at looncount.maineaudubon.lakesofmaine.org/register.php.
The Rangeley Region lakes and ponds are an extremely valuable economic resource as well as a stunning natural resource. They contribute to the enjoyment of many Maine residents, they help relieve property tax burdens on local people in rural communities, and they support substantial economic activity.