Volume LXX ~ January 2024 | |
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Lake Sunapee Protective Association
Devoted to the Environmental Quality of the Lake Sunapee Watershed
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A Flash Of The Beacon
Welcome to A Flash of the Beacon!
A quick look at what's happening
at the Center for Lake Studies,
highlights of current news and events,
plus what's going on outside in nature.
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As 2023 comes to a close we appreciate the brightening days and reflect on a year of dedicated work by LSPA’s staff, committees, volunteers and partners. It has been a year full of challenges, collaborations, successful initiatives and celebrations. We have worked together in so many different ways to ensure the continued environmental integrity of the Lake Sunapee Watershed. Important accomplishments of 2023 include:
- Completing two large grant-funded projects addressing major stormwater erosion at Granliden Community Association and Pine Cliff Road.
- Processing over 4,000 tests at the water quality laboratory at Colby-Sawyer College during the summer season with the help of four seasonal interns.
- Reaching over 4,700 children and adults through education programs.
- Hosting regional lake association meetings and training sessions.
- Partnering with town officials and community groups to promote policies to protect water quality, including septic regulations.
- Collaborating with state legislators to advocate for science-based lake friendly policies.
- Working with a quick response team on the fuel spill in Sunapee Harbor.
- Implementing a voluntary no-wake pledge during the peak high water in July.
- Maintaining Lake Sunapee’s lighthouses, including roof repairs to the Burkehaven Lighthouse.
- Consulting with property owners and towns to reduce erosion and runoff.
- Surveying for aquatic invasive species and managing our local Lake Host program in collaboration with NH LAKES to inspect boats throughout the summer at all of Lake Sunapee’s boat ramps.
- Collaborating with international lake scientists to analyze water quality data and model the lake ecosystem.
| Celebrating 125 years of Caring for our Waters ~ | |
In 2023 we celebrated LSPA’s 125th anniversary. We paid tribute to this special milestone with incredible programs that illuminated the past, enlightened the present and focused on the future of the Lake Sunapee Watershed. Through these events we welcomed new members and expanded our work with like-minded partners who strive to keep this watershed a healthy and vibrant place to live and play. Thank you to everyone who planned and participated in this year’s special events. We are so very grateful and appreciative to work together as a staff and with our committees, partners and communities to share our commitment to the health of this beautiful watershed.
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Deb Benjamin, Co-chair of the 125th Committee and former Newbury Town Rep,
Katheryn Holmes share a laugh during LSPA's 125th celebration.
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2023 Rolf Eliassen award recipients (L to R) Kirk Bishop, Dave Beardsley and Stu Greer
share a special moment with Tim Eliassen at LSPA's Annual Meeting in July.
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One of our popular summer events included a live animal presentation by the
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center.
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Guests aboard LSPA's Natural History Cruise enjoy learning about animals
in the Lake Sunapee Watershed.
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Staff highlights from 2023 ~
We hope you enjoy reading the reflections of LSPA staff members as we look back on our favorite moments of 2023. It has been an eventful year and we are grateful for all the good that has transpired and the progress that has taken place.
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Education Director Kathleen Stowell
2023 was an amazing year for LSPA education! I was thrilled by the number of children and adults that enthusiastically engaged in our lecture programs, school visits and family learning experiences this past year. There were too many amazing moments of learning to count! LSPA programs strive to provide residents and visitors to the Lake Sunapee Watershed with opportunities to acquire the foundational knowledge, values, attitudes, commitment and skills needed to protect and improve our environment. Our 125th anniversary celebration hit the mark thanks to the dedication and hard work of so many!
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Watershed Director Geoff Lizotte
It was a pleasure to collaborate with the Newbury Highway Department and the Granliden Community Association towards the successful completion of stormwater best management practices that help meet the water quality goal set in the 2020 Lake Sunapee Watershed Management Plan. It has also been a pleasure to work with the LSPA Water Quality Buoy team as we prepare for the launch of a new structure and sensor suite next spring.
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Water Quality Lab Manager (VLAP)
Teriko MacConnell
The rainy summer led to more water samples in the lab than any other year! It was a great year to have four interns instead of our normal two. Even though the weather wasn't ideal, it was fun to work with the enthusiastic interns. Having Tehya, Sam, Baley and Isabella on board allowed us to expand our collaborations with our research partners and area lake associations. I am still so thankful to be doing this work.
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Water Steward and Program Coordinator Susie Burbidge
Any time spent on the water is definitely a highlight for me, whether it's keeping an eye out for aquatic invasive species, looking for loons or helping with deep site sampling. This year, I helped lead a group paddle for our Invasive Watch volunteers in Herrick Cove and the enthusiasm and camaraderie was a joy to be a part of. Passing on some of the identification tips I have learned over the last 5 years to our volunteers is exciting as I watch them investigate on their own.
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Another highlight in 2023 was organizing meetings for members of lake & pond associations around different topics that we are all dealing with, such as road salt and cyanobacteria. Bringing people together to share ideas and concerns, in our watershed and beyond, is so important as each of us is working hard to protect these special places that we all love.
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Environmental Educator Nancy Heckel
Highlights from this historical, celebratory year include the amazing visitors, speakers and presenters that I was able to meet, get to know, and work with. LSPA’s 125th anniversary lineup of programs and activities was outstanding. Participating in and sharing highlights of LSPA's incredible work made this past year exceptional.
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Yet, my greatest highlights always come from the students. I love watching their expressions as they encounter something amazing in nature, or sit quietly in the woods for the first time, or figure out how to create a working water filter! These “aha” moments, when the lightbulbs go on, make the work we do incredibly special. After working for LSPA for ten years, I am still in awe - right there with the students - as they share their excitement and joy in being part of the natural world, discovering its wonder.
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Communications and Development Coordinator
Summer Sanderson
My 2023 highlight has to be starting the exciting journey as LSPA's new Communications and Development Coordinator. Since joining this amazing team, I've found immense joy and growth in my role. Each day presents new learning opportunities. What I thoroughly enjoy most are the interactions with our passionate members as they visit the Center for Lake Studies. As I look ahead to 2024, I am eager to continue contributing to LSPA’s mission and exploring innovative ways to connect and communicate with everyone who shares our vision.
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Water Quality Assistant Tehya Kloster
2023 was a year of many milestones for me. Upon graduating with my Bachelor’s degree in May, I returned to LSPA for my second summer as an intern and was able to remain on staff with LSPA through the year. One of my favorite highlights from this year has been the opportunity to further interact and collaborate with more members of the watershed throughout the fall.
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Looking ahead to 2024, I am excited to take on new and more in-depth projects as a full-time staff member to better help the water quality of the lakes within the watershed. This will include expanding the current capacity of the Watershed Wise program to more areas of the watershed, including Little Lake Sunapee. A big reason I love working for LSPA is that I get to use and build upon a diverse variety of skill sets that tap into my scientific and creative background.
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Executive Director Elizabeth Harper
When I get out in my kayak on Lake Sunapee I love the serene feeling of quietly floating on the surface. I love being surrounded by the views of the water, shores, and mountains - especially on the bright days of early fall. In late September I visited the Loon Island Lighthouse and Water Quality Buoy on a quiet day after the busy events of summer had passed. As I looked around at the surrounding watershed, I couldn’t help but marvel at all the amazing people I have met over the past year who have served as dedicated caretakers of this special place.
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Some have had family connections in the area for generations, others are more recent converts to lake life. There are volunteers who serve on conservation commissions, planning boards, lake association boards, select boards, and non-profit committees, and there are just as many people in the community whose daily work is tied in some important way – large or small - to caring for our lakes, ponds and streams. As we wrap up a busy season of celebrating LSPA's 125 years of caring for our waters, I am optimistic about our future, not because there aren’t daunting challenges that lie ahead, but because there are so many capable people in our community who are dedicated to maintaining this special place for future generations. Thank you to all who care! I look forward to continuing to work with you in 2024.
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We hope to see you in 2024. We are busy planning events for the upcoming season. Visit the events page on our website to learn more about upcoming events. | |
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Weather Forecasting Presentation by Students from Virginia Tech
January 4 at 4:00 pm at LSPA
During the past five months, three Virginia Tech undergraduate students (Mariah Bolden, Aanish Pradhan, Adam White) have been analyzing weather data collected around Lake Sunapee to develop highly-accurate weather forecasts that can be used to improve lake water quality forecasts. Many LSPA members have contributed to the weather data collection, and they’re excited to share their findings with you! Click here to read more about their research.
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Nature Exploration Story Time
Tuesdays in January at 10:00 am
Starting January 9th!
Come join LSPA environmental educators for nature themed activities on Tuesday mornings at LSPA’s Center for Lake Studies. Each Tuesday will offer a different theme and include a story, activities, a craft, and exploration. These programs are designed for young children and their caregivers. They are free and open to all! We look forward to welcoming you in the Discovery Room, a room full of fun ways to investigate the out of doors. On January 9th we will investigate how animals cope with the freezing cold and navigate the winter landscape. We look forward to seeing you!
Click here to download the Nature Exploration Story Time flyer.
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Winter Hike for Families
Co-sponsored by The Fells and Lake Sunapee Protective Association
Saturday, January 27 at 2:00 pm
Please join us for a family snowshoe walk, open to all ages, to observe the natural world and explore the out of doors in winter. This is a jointly run program between LSPA and the John Hay Estate at The Fells. After our hike there will be hot cocoa served inside the Gatehouse. Fells and LSPA members free, nonmembers $5 per person. *Meets at The Fells Gatehouse
Click here to register.
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Wednesday, January 24
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
LSPA Center for Lake Studies (map)
This follow-up session, which will focus on road salt, is for members of regional lake & pond associations and anyone else who is interested in this topic. Please join in the discussions concerning what is being done in your area and some of the best practices that are being applied.
Click here to register for the meeting. A Zoom link will also be provided for those who would like to attend remotely.
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Lake Sunapee Protective Association
Center for Lake Studies
Physical Address:
63 Main Street
Sunapee, NH 03782
Mailing Address:
PO Box 683, Sunapee, NH 03782
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