Watershed Roundup

June 2023 Newsletter from the 30 Mile River Watershed Association


Photo Credit: Trish Cheney

14th Annual Paddle Trek

Register today for discounts

Our 14th Annual Paddle Trek will be held on Saturday, July 29th! 


Join us for all or just a part of this 15-mile paddle from Mt. Vernon Village to Wayne Village, traveling along many of the lakes and streams that form the “30 Mile River.”


To choose your route and see different points along the way, check out the interactive map on our website. 

Register Here

Early Bird Discounts!


Register by July 12 at 11:59PM to take advantage of discounted registration pricing:

  • $28 - Adults
  • $15 - Teens (ages 13-17)
  • Free - Children (12 or under)


Registration closes on Thursday, July 27th at 11:59PM. No same-day registration.

Our team is growing!

Welcome Silas Mohlar,

our new Program Leader and Field Technician

Growing up in Readfield, Maine, I spent a lot of time playing in the woods with my family and quickly fell in love with the outdoors. When my family and I weren’t bouncing around to my brother’s and my sporting events, we would spend much of our summers at our camps on Maranacook Lake and Pleasant Pond (Caratunk, ME). We’d hike, hunt, fish, boat, swim, explore, and enjoy everything each area had to offer.


Being immersed in the outdoor lifestyle at such a young age and spending time at camp made me realize I wanted to pursue a professional career that allowed me to work outside as much as possible. This led me to attending the University of Maine at Farmington, where I graduated this spring with a B.S. in Environmental Science with a minor in Biology. At UMF, I enjoyed being a part of the successful Men’s Soccer and Basketball programs, as well as interning for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife my senior year.


The past two summers I was an intern at 30 Mile doing a variety of work including invasive plant patrol, courtesy boat inspections, Youth Conservation Corps, and water quality monitoring. Those experiences allowed me to become familiar with 30 Mile’s mission and understand how valuable the organization is to the community and the protection of the watershed. I look forward to continuing to work with everyone involved at 30 Mile to help protect and improve the lakes, ponds, and streams within this beautiful watershed.

LakeSmart wants you!

Participation in LakeSmart can take two forms:


Become a LakeSmart volunteer 

  • You’ll learn how to protect your lake from pollution.
  • You’ll meet your lake neighbors.
  • We’ll train you. (It takes about three hours.)


Request a LakeSmart evaluation of your property

  • It costs nothing.
  • A LakeSmart visit is educational and completely non-regulatory (i.e. no Shoreland Zoning requirements).
  • You will receive recommendations for how you can improve your property to best protect the lake.
  • You will have no obligation to implement any recommendations.


If you are interested, contact Whitney Baker at whitney@30mileriver.org or (207) 860-4043 or visit https://30mileriver.org/lakesmart/ to learn more about this awesome program.


LakeSmart is a program of Maine Lakes; 30 Mile provides technical assistance and support to volunteers in our watershed.  

Upcoming Workshops

Invasive Terrestrial Plants

7 Lakes Alliance, Belgrade Lakes, ME; Thursday, June 22nd, 4:00 PM


Join Gary Fish, State Horticulturist, to discuss the environmental impact of invasive terrestrial plants. Learn more and register here.


Maintaining a Healthy Septic System 

7 Lakes Alliance, Belgrade Lakes, ME; Thursday, July 6th, 12:00 PM


Join retired State Soil Scientist, David Rocque, and learn over a dozen helpful suggestions for homeowners on the care and maintenance of septic systems. Learn more and register here.

Support 30 Mile! Your gift today will make a difference in protecting our lakes from phosphorus pollution, invasive species, and other threats. Find the giving level that works for you.

Donate Today
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