Rescue our Lakes Campaign 2020-2023

Goal:  $250,000

Lake Rescue and Lake Pauline are in trouble. 

We need your help.

In 2020, we face an unprecedented crisis in the explosive growth of the invasive aquatic plant, Eurasian Milfoil, as well as dangerous levels of sediment buildup entering our lakes from tributaries and the Black River inlet in Round Pond.  We are initiating an aggressive mitigation plan which will require significant outside resources. The LRA Board of Directors and its Rescue Our Lakes (ROL) Fundraising Committee have launched a major campaign, with the goal of raising $250,000 over the next 2-3 years.

We have been overwhelmed at the response and are delighted to report that we have surpassed our goal with more pledges still to come in.  All donations are appreciated and will be put to good use in the years to come, as these challenges will be ongoing.  We are only able to accomplish these vital initiatives with your support. THANK YOU!

DONATE NOW

 

THERMOMETER 7-1-22

WAYS TO GIVE

One-time gift.  We are seeking donations of any amount.

Pledge a gift.  Please consider offering a larger donation by spreading it out over 1-3 years.  Monthly, quarterly, bi-annual, or annual installments are available.

Gift of securities.  We welcome gifts of stocks or other securities. It's easy - HERE'S HOW..

Give-Get.  Use your personal networks to encourage others to match your gift or contribute in any way, such as friends, family, employer-match, or renters who visit your home. Consider donating a week/weekend rental income or adding an extra rental charge.

 

OUR NEEDS

Scroll down to find more about the ROL projects to be funded.  In summary, our needs include:

  • $30,000 to purchase, insure, and maintain our own Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting (DASH) boat to be commissioned spring 2021, which will dramatically increase our milfoil harvesting capabilities;
  • $40,000 over the next two years for divers to manage DASH work and continue hand-harvesting;
  • $55,000 to replenish the LRA reserve and maintenance savings, which are being depleted from increased milfoil mitigation efforts.  One major crisis or storm could erase our savings, which are also used to support regular operating expenses and the MR Batesole Scholarship Fund.
  • $125,000 to complete the state-approved dredging project in the Narrows and Black River entrance in Round Pond, probably to occur in 2022.

MORE ABOUT OUR PROJECTS . . . . 

MILFOIL

In 2013, in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene, Eurasian Watermilfoil was discovered in the Round Pond area of Lake Rescue, after a 10-year absence.  Since then, our mitigation efforts have increased each year, but in 2020, the situation reached a crisis level and has overtaken these efforts, with aggressive milfoil growth occurring throughout both Lakes Rescue and Pauline.  It could win, and mat over our lakes, making them unusable, as it has in other lakes. However, we have adopted a more aggressive remediation plan going forward, including the purchase of our own Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting (DASH) boat, which dramatically increases harvesting capabilities.  With this, along with continued hand-harvesting, the placement of 48 bottom barriers, and energetic volunteer efforts, we WILL overcome, but we must have your financial support.

 

IMAGES TOP TO BOTTOM:

  • Map of both lakes, green areas and red dots indicating milfoil
  • Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting (DASH) boat contracted in September 2020
  • Milfoil haul on one afternoon in September, assisted by LRA member volunteers
milfoil map
DASH boat
milfoil haul

SEDIMENT DREDGING PROJECT

Dredging the mouth of the Black River and entrance to the Narrows, the gateway to Lake Rescue from the only public boat launch access and Round Pond homes, is again necessary.  First dredged in 2013 after Tropical Storm Irene, the sediment from still-fragile tributary banks has again accumulated to dangerous levels, disrupting the ecosystem, making navigation difficult and threatening the passage through the Narrows, which will eventually become impassable. Complicating this situation is the heavy infestation of milfoil in these shallow areas of Round Pond, where boats now frequently run aground and/or chop milfoil plants with their propellers, contributing significantly to milfoil spread.

aerial

 DONATE NOW

The ROL Fundraising Committee

The LRA Board is profoundly grateful for the volunteer efforts of our member-driven ROL Fundraising Committee.  If you have questions or would like to help, please contact Gigi Katsiff or Spencer Rubin through the online LRA member directory, or email us at [email protected].  Join us!

ROL Committee Members:

  • Gigi Katsiff (co-chair)
  • Spencer Rubin (co-chair)
  • Pete Andrews
  • Rod Forter
  • Tina Gehris
  • Kathleen Golmont
  • Kara Gregory
  • Amy Newell
  • Liz Spaulding
  • George Thomson
  • Jackie Thong
  • Michele Zanca