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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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Summer has officially begun!
LSPA continues to celebrate its 125th anniversary with its full schedule of exciting programs and incredible guest speakers! Check out our Events page. We are offering a wide variety of wonderful events, activities, and volunteer opportunities all summer long. The Center for Lake Studies is open to receive visitors! Come see us, tour our exhibits and get a glimpse of what is involved in keeping our area lakes healthy. Join us in our mission to enhance and preserve this beautiful environment. There are numerous ways in which to support our Lake Sunapee Watershed. Become a member and protect the wonder and nature of this incredible region. When you join you will get an invitation to the 125th Celebration following the annual meeting, Saturday, July 15th. Be part of what it takes to preserve this watershed for the future generations to come!
Click here to become a member.
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Join our Team!
LSPA is seeking a Communications and Development Leader to work closely with the Executive Director. If you have proven experience in communication and marketing strategies; a willingness to jump in as a team player to showcase who we are and what we do; and you care about environmental issues, then we’d love to speak with you!
Learn more about the position here.
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Harbor Spill Update ~
The fuel spill in Sunapee Harbor on the evening of June 10th has been mitigated and high praise is being given to the Sunapee Fire Department, NHDES and Clean Harbors for their rapid and effective response to the emergency. Teams of individuals from the many groups worked tirelessly into the night to contain the spill. The water supply is safe and will continue to be tested carefully. The drinking water intake is 600 ft. away from where the contained spill occurred and 30 ft below the surface of the water. Booms were immediately set in place to contain the spill to the Harbor area and to protect the Sugar River. Much of the diesel fuel, which was on the surface of the water, was vacuumed out by Clean Harbors. Over 3,000 gallons of oily water was vacuumed out after the spill of approximately 70 gallons of diesel fuel occurred. We will continue to provide updates as we learn more from NHDES and as the results of their water quality testing becomes available.
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LSPA is aware of the public concerns regarding the fuel spill and its environmental impact. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Emergency Response Division highlights several points about small diesel spills to take into consideration. One is that because of the property of diesel fuel, which "is much lighter than water (specific gravity is 0.82-0.88, vs. 1.00 for fresh water and 1.03 for seawater) ...[i]t is not possible for diesel to sink and accumulate on the bottom as free oil."
NHDES and Clean Harbors immediate response and careful clean up of the fuel spill was impressive and meticulous in its approach. LSPA is extremely grateful for their diligence and thorough attention to detail.
See Full NOAA Post Here.
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A Bright Future for Lake Sunapee:
A Conversation with Laura Knoy and Lake Scientists
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A great, informative meeting and discussion with Laura Knoy was held at Colby-Sawyer College last week!
Many thanks to Laura (Laura Knoy - Author) for moderating
our panel discussion and to our panel of lake scientists, LSPA Executive
Director Elizabeth Harper, Dr. Kathleen Weathers from the Cary Institute of
Ecosystem Studies and Dr. Elena Bennett from McGill University.
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The next day Laura Knoy wrote:
"Happy 125th Birthday to NH’s oldest environmental organization: Lake Sunapee Protective Association. LSPA celebrated in grand style last night, including a panel discussion with three stellar, community-oriented scientists.
I learned so much, moderating this event, especially this: while we must understand the threats our planet faces - it’s imperative we also tell the positive environmental success stories that are out there: to give people hope, inspiration, and ideas towards creating a bright future for our beautiful Earth."
To watch and listen to the event on YCN click below.
A Bright Future for Lake Sunapee: A Conversation with Laura Knoy and Lake Scientists
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Celebrating LSPA
125 YEARS OF CARING FOR OUR WATERS
Illuminate the Past, Enlighten the Present,
and Focus on the Future.
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As we pay tribute to this special milestone,
we invite you to join us in a year of celebrations.
Below are the upcoming July events.
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Friday, July 7
7:00 PM
LSPA Center for Lake Studies (map)
Join us for a celebration of our deep connections to the places that sustain us. Immerse yourself in a unique visual and listening experience, featuring the stunning aerial nature photography of Peter Bloch (Earth Aerial Productions) paired with inspirational words by Dave Anderson (NH Forest Society). Savor the seasons, forests, and wildlife of our region, and the waters that have nourished them over time. This program is free and open to the public. Click here to register.
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Tuesday, July 11
7:00 PM
LSPA Center for Lake Studies (map)
Sometimes called marsh hawks, state-endangered Northern Harriers hover and glide low over open fields and marshes while hunting voles, snakes, and frogs. Their low buoyant flight, upswept wings, and white rump patch are very distinctive. NH Audubon partners with NH Fish & Game to find harrier breeding areas and document nest outcomes. For more than three decades, NH Audubon raptor biologist Chris Martin has recruited, trained, and supervised an enthusiastic corps of volunteer field observers who monitor state endangered and threatened birds of prey all across the state.
This program is free and open to the public. Click here to register.
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LSPA's Annual Meeting
Lake Sunapee Protection Association's
Annual Meeting will be on
Saturday afternoon July 15th
from 4:00 - 5:30 PM
Learn about current lake topics, discover the latest on science and education, and meet with staff and fellow members.
Click here to register.
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On Saturday, after LSPA's Annual Meeting, LSPA members will join together to commemorate the organization's 125th Anniversary with a celebratory reception. Join today and come celebrate LSPA's 125 years of devotion to the environmental quality of the Lake Sunapee Watershed.
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with Ben Kilham
from the Kilham Bear Center
Tuesday, July 18
7:00 PM
LSPA Center for Lake Studies (map)
Ben Kilham's popular lecture is based on firsthand experience raising cubs and observing black bears. It is illustrated with photos Ben has taken of bears in their habitat exhibiting their behavior. Join us for an evening to get better acquainted with one of New Hampshire’s largest mammal species.
This program is free and open to the public. Click here to register.
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Tuesday, July 25
7:00 PM
LSPA Center for Lake Studies (map)
With Nancy Dutton and Midge Eliassen -
The shore of Lake Sunapee has been home to many summer visitors who built cottages of all shapes and sizes. This presentation will give you a glimpse into the lives of the families who lived in the early cottages, the summer residents’ leadership roles on the lake and in LSPA, and the houses themselves.
This program is free and open to the public. Click here to register.
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Thursday, July 27
5:30 PM
LSPA Center for Lake Studies (map)
Join us for an engaging hands-on workshop and discussion about sustainable energy technologies. Energy Educators Aubrey Nelson and Angie Krysiak from NHEEP will facilitate an exploration of science equipment to help us understand the science, solutions and impacts around energy and climate action. Sam Evans-Brown, Executive Director of Clean Energy New Hampshire will join in to discuss the latest innovations in the efforts to generate, store, and efficiently use clean energy in the Granite State. This program is designed for adults and families with older children. Please feel free to bring snacks or a picnic dinner.
This program is free and open to the public. Click here to register.
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Tuesday's Nature Exploration Story Hour
Starting July 11th at 10:00 AM
Come join LSPA environmental educators for nature themed activities this July 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. The first program will be on “Feathered Friends” and we will investigate what makes a bird a bird, how and why they are different from each other, and what we can do to help our feathered friends out. We look forward to seeing you!
Click Here for the Summer Schedule.
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LSPA Interns ~
LSPA's summer interns are busy doing a plethora of assignments from collecting water samples from lakes and streams, to lab work at Colby-Sawyer, to helping with Dartmouth scientists' catabots. Several of the interns are working with our partner, Little Lake Sunapee Protective Association, collecting water samples and monitoring their water quality. Last week the interns accompanied Dartmouth's aquatic ecologist and postdoctoral researcher, Dr. Jessica Trout-Haney, to learn more about sampling for cyanobacteria and plankton. The interns will incorporate this collection procedure while doing their water quality sampling on Lake Sunapee.
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Colby-Sawyer Students
Seeking Fish Samples ~
Colby-Sawyer College Biology/ Pre-Medical students, Maria Avila and Grace McLaughlin are performing a research project where they are examining the amount of microplastics in fish species of both freshwater lakes and farm raised fish. Microplastics are very small pieces of plastics that can enter fish through their food chain, and in turn, can expose humans. They are looking for help in collecting 15 whole fish of any species from Lake Sunapee. Please bring your fish to Lake Sunapee Protective Association and they will handle freezing the fish. If the fish are being packaged before dropping them off, please do not use plastic, but instead tin foil. Thank you for your help and support in their study!
Read More Here.
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NH LAKES Lake Advocates Network
It's official: Cyanobacteria mitigation fund signed into law!
Governor Sununu signed off on the state budget and policy trailer bill--this means that the cyanobacteria mitigation loan and grant fund has been established in law! And, it has received an initial appropriation of $1 million. Below is the language that establishes and describes the fund, including projects that are applicable. It will take the NH Dept. of Environmental Services some time to set up the program. We will keep you informed.
Thank you to all whose efforts rallied support for the establishment of this critical fund! HB Cyanobacteria Mitigation Fund
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Help report cyanobacteria blooms
and get notified when a bloom occurs
NH LAKES worked with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) to create a cyanobacteria identification card with information about what to do if you spot a bloom. Download it here!
If you spot a bloom, Click here to report it, or use the above QR code.
Cyanobacteria’s Worst May Comes as Report Prepared and $1M in Budget to Fight It.
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Let's Be Clear! July is Lake Appreciation Month!
July is #LakesAppreciation Month! What a fabulous time of year to enjoy this region's numerous beautiful lakes. Lakes provide countless restorative benefits. Celebrate Lakes Appreciation Month by bringing attention to the many challenges facing our waterways and encourage people to protect these precious resources. There’s so much each of us can do to show our appreciation and love for our lakes!
Carry in and carry out. Pick up trash along the way.
Keep a look out for invasive species.
Have your boat inspected as it goes in and out of lakes.
Get involved! Be Engaged! Protect What You Love!
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Have you seen LSPA's "Let's Be Clear" video yet? Please take a few minutes to watch this moving video about the Lake Sunapee region. LSPA’s Watershed Committee worked with videographer Peter Bloch to create this beautiful reminder of why we love our lakes and what we can do to protect them. Please share with friends and family.
See LSPA's website for more ideas on what you can do to help your lake and watershed!
| Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution in order to have cleaner streets, lakes, and beautiful communities. Will you be part of Plastic Free July by choosing to refuse single-use plastics? | |
If you are questioning the impact plastics may have on Lake Sunapee, listen to LSPA's recording of Jill Emerson, from the Green Mountain Conservation Group, as she shares her research on microplastics in NH's freshwater lakes. Microplastics in Our Waters.
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LSPA's Water Quality Lab and The Secchi Dip-In ~
The Secchi Dip-In is a gathering of environmentally important information on our lakes, rivers and estuaries by volunteer monitors across North America. Volunteer monitoring programs take a transparency measurement on one day during the month of July. Individuals may be monitoring lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, rivers, or streams. These transparency values are used to assess the transparency of volunteer-monitored lakes in the United States and Canada. LSPA’s Water Quality Lab has been participating in The Secchi Dip-In since 1995, from almost the beginning of the Dip-In's inception in 1994. The North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) gladly welcomes data year-round, but have historically observed the Secchi Dip-In during Lakes Appreciation Month, where lakes are celebrated throughout the month of July each year.
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LSPA Educators ~
June found the LSPA educators finishing up the school year with a great many highlights of student activities such as stream studies of macroinvertebrates, exploration of LSPA's Center for Lake Studies, hiking and finding solitude in the forests, and an entire day at Wadleigh State Park with 135 sixth graders.
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Sometimes we are asked as LSPA educators why we work with very young children. This question was answered this week in an article by author Richard Louv (Last Child in the Woods) as he discussed the growing initiative, "Leave No Child Inside" (The growing movement to reconnect children and nature, and to battle "nature deficit disorder"). The statistics he presents are dire as one considers that less than six percent of children ages nine to thirteen play outside on their own. There is an alarming disconnect between children and nature. Louv points out that, "While public-health experts have traditionally associated environmental health with the absence of toxic pollution, the definition fails to account for an equally valid consideration: how the environment can improve human health. Seen through that doorway, nature isn’t a problem, it’s the solution: environmentalism is essential to our own well-being." He insists that "outdoor experiences of children are essential for the survival of conservation." And continues with, "the truth is that the human child in nature may be the most important indicator species of future sustainability."
Read the full article here.
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Loon News ~
On June 14, Lake Sunapee welcomed a loon chick onto the lake! The loon family is doing well so far but please make sure to give them plenty of space (at least 150 feet or more) if you come across them on the water. It’s a lot of work for loon parents to raise a chick, so they need to focus all of their energy on taking care of themselves and their chick, rather than curious or excited people trying to get a close look!
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A second pair of loons has taken up residence on a raft that has never been used before! If all goes well, we hope to see a chick or two by mid-July!
A third pair of loons put down some eggs but they have been observed on and off the nest for the last few weeks so we're not sure if they will be successful. Unpaired adults seem to frequent the area causing the incubating loon to flush off the nest, leaving the egg(s) vulnerable to predation.
Would you like to learn more about loon behavior and what their calls mean? Our partners at the Loon Preservation Committee (LPC) have a lot of great information on their website.
Stay tuned for more updates in the next Flash of the Beacon. Fingers crossed that a few more chicks hatch on the lake!
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Watershed Wise!
Our Love Affair With Lawns ~
The trend in lawn care is changing. Gone are the days of "wall-to-wall" lawns. In their place are "area rug" lawns that are more eco-friendly and highlight the need for a diversity of plants in spaces large and small. Gardeners are finding that native plants, which are uniquely suited to their environs, are the key to biodiversity and a healthy landscape. Plant species occurring naturally in this area of New Hampshire will most likely thrive, be less expensive, and require the least amount of care. Lawns can be grown with native and naturalized grass species. Plants trap runoff better than manicured lawns. Ground covers and rock gardens can be a sensible alternative to grass. Lawns near a lake should be minimal and as far away as possible with a good buffer zone of shrubs and trees. Our lawns need our care more than ever to help support the environment and the well being of our watershed.
Read more:
Lake Friendly Landscaping
You Don’t Have to Have Granddad’s Wall-to-Wall Carpet Lawn
America’s Love Affair with the Lawn is Getting Messy
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Be a Lake Friendly Boater!
Please help us take care of this lake for the pleasure of future boaters. Now is the time to double check and make sure your boat is lake worthy. Checking for leaks so that excess gas or oil won't discharge into the water is essential to a healthy lake!
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Boating Safety For All ~
Boating safety is critical for every driver, passenger, and owner of a boat. With this holiday weekend approaching, please be mindful of other boaters, swimmers, rafts, docks, and all the surrounding wildlife! Lake Sunapee has numerous narrow coves and inlets. In these pristine areas it is ever important to be alert to the no wake zone, the distance between boaters, the shore and the wildlife that is all around.
Be Safe, Have Fun, Love Your Lake, and Protect What You Love!
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Common courtesy should be the rule for all boaters ~
- Stay the maximum required distance from the shore
- Drive by shorelines with a single pass only (not in circles)
- Pay attention to neighboring boaters especially kayakers, canoeists, sailors, and paddle boarders.
- Allow other lakeshore activities (like people wading or sitting on shore) to be enjoyed without wave disruption.
We all love our Lake Sunapee and we all want to enjoy its beautiful clear waters!
Here's to a fabulous summer of joyous, safe, and mindful awareness of our Lake!
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Sunapee Police Dept. and NH Marine Patrol Offer NH Boating Education Class!
If you don’t already have a New Hampshire Boating Education Certificate or one of the other forms of boating certificate accepted by the State of New Hampshire (see website link below for a list), you need to get one. Everyone 16 years of age and older who operates a motorboat over 25 horsepower on New Hampshire waters must have a boating education certificate.
The Sunapee Police Department is partnering with NH Marine Patrol to offer an opportunity to attend the New Hampshire Boating Education Course here in Sunapee. The course will be offered on Saturday, July 15th, and Saturday August 5th. Each class will be held at the Sunapee Safety Services Building from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You will earn your NH Boating Education Certificate on the day of the class.
You MUST pre-register. Click here to register.
For more information click here.
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LSPA Highlighted
in the SooNipi Magazine ~
Have you seen the Summer 2023 edition of the SooNipi Magazine yet? If not, make sure to pick up a copy today. There's a great article by Midge Eliassen called "LSPA: Caring About Water Quality in our Lakes for 125 Years." Thanks Midge!
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Welcome New Directors ~
A heartfelt welcome to the new directors at our collaborative partners The John Hay Estate at The Fells and Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust! Welcome Paige Kingsley, the new Executive Director at the Fells, and Ausbon Sargent's Executive Director, Ben Wallace!
We look forward to working together with you on the many goals and projects we share throughout the summer and into the future. Enjoy the new adventures ahead!
John Hay Estate at The Fells
Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust
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 |  | July shifts the glorious days of summer into full gear! There’s so much to see and do! Venturing outside, the world seems quite literally a buzz with activity! Bees are doing amazing pollinating work, big iridescent damselflies are hovering about (they’re not strong fliers and you can get close to them if you move slowly), monarchs are returning just as the milkweed is flowering and fireflies are lighting up the skies. Look closely at a firefly! Each species flashes a different pattern. Males are the ones who send the luminescent signals to the flightless females hidden in the grass. Sadly, fireflies are on the decline due to habitat loss and light pollution. Likewise, nighttime outdoor lighting is also disrupting the beautiful large Luna Moth’s habitat. The last days of enjoying these exquisite members of the giant silk moth (Saturniidae) family will be over in the next few weeks. They don’t last very long as adults; they have no mouthparts and devote their energy reserves to breeding. Mosquitoes though, they are now in their prime. And not just a single type of mosquito, like there’s only one. New Hampshire is host to 45 species of mosquito. But the good news is that mosquitoes are an excellent food source for a wide array of creatures from bats, to dragonflies, to a variety of birds, to water striders who eat the mosquito larvae. In nature everything is connected! The long summer days with the extreme heat has everyone from insects to mammals to birds, truly all the animal kingdoms, adapting and seeking ways to cool down. There are ways you can help support this area's wildlife through the hot summer days. Have convenient supplies of clean water available. This can make a huge difference to the survival of local wild species such as birds, butterflies and small mammals, during times of extreme heat and drought. Create some fun birdbaths with pots and pans and extra odds and ends! The long days of summer, despite the heat, is the ideal time for growth in the animal world! The young ones are growing and learning to assert themselves! The moose is no exception. A moose's antler growth is incredible. By summer’s end, a large moose may have 25 to 30 pounds of head gear. There are extraordinary things to discover from the mini mosquito to the mighty moose that are all right here in our neck of the woods. The summer is truly glorious! Enjoy and delight in all the natural wonders and beauty of our Lake Sunapee region!
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LSPA Merchandise ~
LSPA has some beautiful new merchandise along with some classics items in stock. Come in and see the lovely coaster sets of Lake Sunapee's lighthouses. Gorgeous prints of the lighthouses by artist, Lizi Boyd, are available as well.
Our store has warm fleeces, shirts, hats, and other fun items, like trivia cards, that help support LSPA! Come on in and check them out! Click below to check out the LSPA Store.
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LSPA's Summer Discoveries page has an abundance of resources for adults to explore the local area during these beautiful summer days. Following LSPA's theme of "discovery, learning, and research" you'll find this page shares information not only on what and where to explore safely, but wildlife links, webinars, courses and much more!
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Resources ~
Check out LSPA's Resource Page for ideas, articles, things to do, and other resource information!
This month LSPA Kid's Ecology Corner page highlights a wide variety of activities. Find out about what to plant and wonderful wildflowers, plus, what birds are singing and what many animals are doing during these active summer months. Facts about frogs, bugs, and gardening are also shared. Summer is a wonderful time to explore the outdoors!
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Read, Listen and Participate in Local Ecology ~ | |
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How Do PFAS Interact With Lake Food Webs?
Dartmouth Researchers To Find Out This Summer.
Dartmouth researchers hope to better understand the pathways through which PFAS accumulate and move through aquatic food webs. This can be challenging, as bioaccumulation – the buildup of chemicals – differs between organisms and PFAS compounds. Read more here.
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Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust
Star Lake Farm Hike
Tuesday, July 11
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Hike Star Lake Farm with ASLPT staff as well as the Farm's forester, Jeff Snitkin of Full Circle Forestry, LLC. More details to come regarding the length of the hike, but there will likely be a strong emphasis on forestry and learning about recently-harvested areas. Check back soon to find out more about this hike. Registration is required and can be done by emailing kheath@ausbonsargent.org
or by calling the office at: 603-526-6555
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Do you have any spectacular photos of Lake Sunapee’s watershed to share with our readers? Send them along to Nancy via her email - nancy@lakesunapee.org
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Lake Sunapee Protective Association
Center for Lake Studies
63 Main Street
Sunapee, NH 03782
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