EVENTS: In-water workshop to teach how to spot invasive plants

Illustrations for 11 of the Maine’s most unwanted invasive aquatic plants.

CHINA – Want to learn how to spot suspicious aquatic plants on Maine lakes?

Lake Stewards of Maine (LSM) will host a “Plant Paddle” workshop, at China Lake, on Friday, August 1, to help participants know which plants are invasive, and how to detect them.

The free outdoor, on-the-water class will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The program will cover basic botany, plant structure, and life cycles for a variety of common plants. Guests will learn how to use LSM’s Quick Key to determine whether plants are suspicious of being invasive, discover which aquatic invasive plants are infesting Maine lakes, learn how to monitor lakes, and how to report findings by becoming an invasive plant patrol (IPP) volunteer.

This class is required for those seeking Tier 1 IPP Certification through LSM.

Guests may bring their own small, shallow draft craft (canoe, kayak, row boat). Should guests wish to attend but do not have their own watercraft, appropriate arrangements can be made. Pre-registration is required for all guests at https://tinyurl.com/ycy938y2.

This program is co-sponsored by Lake Stewards of Maine with China Lake Association, Worromontogus Lake Association, and Sheepscot Lake Association.

Lake Stewards of Maine is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization which works to protect Maine lakes and to promote lake stewardship through widespread citizen participation in the gathering and dissemination of credible scientific information pertaining to lake health. For more information, please contact (207) 783-7733, email stewards@lakestewardsme.org, or visit www.lakestewardsofmaine.org.