Poulin property receives China Lake Smart award

The Poulin family bought the property in 1975. Once a large hay field the land had already begun to change when they became owners. Jeannette and family enjoyed picking wild blueberries, blackberries and strawberries which grew in abundance back then. However, the spring rains made portions of the land quite wet so young pine trees were found and relocated to help stabilize the ground and to help with erosion control.

Tending to the land, by doing their part in promoting a healthy lake, the land looks very different now (decades later). A mix of conifer and deciduous trees have grown up, low growth shrubs and ferns have spread, and less lawn is being mowed allowing for wild areas of grass and wildflowers to grow and mature.

No chemical grass fertilizers are ever used. A natural buffer zone has been established and maintained. Rocks have been moved and/or added to the shoreline and shrubs have been planted over the years for erosion control, to name a few of the things the Poulin’s have done to help benefit the lake. For more info on the Lake Smart program contact: Marie Michaud, China Lake Lake Smart coordinator, 207-968-2668.