News from Newfound

March 11, 2022

Welcome to the Newfound Connection

Each edition of the Newfound Lake Region Association newsletter features events, news, trivia, and the people of the watershed—everything a Newfounder needs to know!

Seasonal Staff Make a Big Splash

Spring is coming, and NLRA is abuzz planning, scheduling, and staffing the seasonal positions that form the backbone of our conservation efforts in the watershed. In this newsletter, we're highlighting two current opportunities to protect Newfound as part of NLRA's seasonal team:

Newfound Watershed Stewards

Each spring we welcome two AmeriCorps crew members to the NLRA to serve as our Watershed Stewards. Through our partnership with the Lakes Region Conservation Corps, our stewards come from around the country, dedicating five months of service to protecting Newfound Lake and its watershed. On any given day from May to October you can find them:

Taking samples on the lake or in a tributary to maintain our 30+ year water quality record.
Maintaining trails and grounds and engaging visitors at Grey Rocks Conservation Area.
Keeping watch and removing invasive species in the watershed.
Building trails and implementing stormwater management projects.
Leading programs and events for all ages.
Collaborating with partners and stakeholders on a host of community projects.

Watershed Stewards come from diverse backgrounds, but they all share a passion for the outdoors and a willingness to devote their time, energy, and expertise to help us keep Newfound Lake the beautiful shared resource that we love.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a watershed steward this season, learn more on our website!

Learn More/Apply

Lake Hosts

Lake hosts play a critical role in keeping Newfound free from aquatic invasive species, and engage with hundreds of visitors about how they can do their part to keep these damaging plants and animals out of Newfound Lake.

Since the Lake Host program began in 2002, Lake Hosts have found and removed 28 samples of invasive weeds from incoming boats and trailers and educated hundreds of Newfound boaters on "Clean, Drain, and Dry" practices, ensuring that Newfound Lake remains free of noxious weeds that impact recreation and water quality.

To help keep pace with an increase in boat traffic on Newfound Lake, NLRA and Lake Host partner NH LAKES have set a goal to have a Lake Host staff the Wellington Boat Ramp seven days a week during the busy summer season. This is a big commitment, and we need your help to spread the word about this opportunity to join our team!

Lake Hosts run the gamut from high-school students to part-time retirees and committed lake volunteers. Lake Hosting can be done on a part-time, paid or voluntary basis with schedule flexibility. To learn more and apply, please click below!

Learn More/Apply

Questions about seasonal positions can be directed to Conservation Program Manager Paul Pellissier: Paul@NewfoundLake.org.

"Leave No Trace" on Melting Trails

With warm weather and melting conditions, you may find slush, puddles, and even mud on your favorite trails in the watershed. For maximum enjoyment and minimum trail damage, follow these tips from Leave No Trace:

Be prepared to stick to the middle of the trail even when wet or muddy - stepping off the designated trail to avoid mud or standing water can lead to erosion and damage ecosystems.
Wear water-resistant or waterproof footwear - even if you don't have waterproof footwear, remember that shoes dry overnight while trails can take years to recover from erosion.
Wear gaiters to help keep your feet dry.
Hike or run in the early morning or late afternoon – muddy areas are more likely to be frozen, firm, and less messy since harder soils are much less likely to erode.
When possible, stick to south-facing trails, which tend to be drier – the drier the trail, the less damage.
Use traction devices like crampons or ice cleats, allowing you to stick to the trail in all conditions.

Find more tips to enjoy and protect the natural world from Leave No Trace at: LNT.org.

Grey Rocks Boat Storage Lottery is Now Open!

Keep your canoe or kayak right on the shores of Newfound Lake and the Cockermouth River at Grey Rocks Conservation Area! Current NLRA members are eligible to participate in our Grey Rocks boat storage lottery.