WHO? Anyone who is committed to maintaining the pristine conditions of our beautiful lake that is free from invasive weeds, so far.
WHY? Invasive aquatic plants have been a problem in lakes in NH and ME for several decades. Variable milfoil is by far the most widespread. This plant is found in portions of Lake Winnipesaukee and numerous other bodies of water in our area. It takes only a small portion of this plant to take root in our waters. Wildfowl can also spread these invasive plants. Other problematic species include fanwort, hydrilla, water chestnut, Eurasian milfoil and curly- leafed pondweed. Early detection of invasive aquatic plants ensures the most effective control. Once an invader is well established, eradication is extremely difficult and costly, if not impossible.
HOW? By monitoring a portion of the lake (most often the section in front of your shoreline) you can check regularly for an unusual aquatic plant that you have not seen in the past.
WHAT ACTION DO YOU TAKE? If you find something suspicious do not attempt to pull it. That is something an experienced person should do. Collect a representative sample (preferably with seeds or flowers), wrap it in a moist paper towel, seal it in a plastic baggie and refrigerate it. Then contact one of the weed watcher chairpersons as to what to do with it. Be sure to mark the place where you found it because if it is found to be invasive, experts will want to look over the area and remove all suspected plants.
HOW DO YOU SIGN UP? You can contact one of the persons listed below or you can come to out table at the Annual Meeting at Weeks Park in July. We will also be contacting those of you that have signed up in the past to determine if you are interested in continuing as weed watchers.
HOW DO YOU KNOW AN INVASIVE SPECIES? There are books available which have pictures to help in identification. Many present weed watchers have been trained in identifying the invasive plants. Both NH and ME offer training sessions for new weed watchers. When you sign up we will keep you advised as to training opportunities.
While our Lake Host program at the boat launch has been very effective in ―catching‖ a few plants before they are brought in to the lake, the more eyes we have looking the better chance we have of keeping our lake free of invasive species.
Weed Watcher Chairperson and their contact info
John Bath, send email.