Share this:

July on Sebago by John McLaughlin, Standish ME

July is Lakes Appreciation Month!

The North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) sponsors Lakes Appreciation Month each July to draw attention to the value and importance of lakes and reservoirs.

Over the past year, EPA has been reaching out to state fishing agencies, realtors, lake managers, lake associations, and watershed groups to stress the importance of protecting and restoring natural shorelines and reducing nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. The National Lakes Assessment (NLA), published in 2010, identified shoreline habitat loss and nutrient pollution as the two major causes of lake impairment.  http://water.epa.gov/type/lakes/index.cfm 

In fact, the NLA found that poor biological health was three times more likely in lakes with poor lakeshore habitat.

To help get the word out about the importance of natural shorelines, EPA has developed a set of educational materials which are available for download on the EPA Clean Lakes page at  www.epa.gov/owow/lakes.

* Learning About Lakefront Property- A short guide on the benefits and responsibilities of owning lakefront property.

* Healthy Lakes & Higher Property Values- Fact sheet to help real estate professionals protect our nation’s lakes.

* Open the Door to Clean Lakes! -Laminated door hanger with specific tips for homeowners, designed for distribution to lakeside cabins, nature centers, etc.

* Clean lakes need healthy lakeshores, healthy lakeshores need you.

- Floating key chain with tips on the importance of natural shorelines.

* Lake Shoreland Protection Resources: Clearinghouse for Information on Lakeshore Protection and Restoration -Listing of available materials, websites, and other resources developed by states, academics, federal agencies and nonprofits on lakeshore protection and restoration topics.

* Archived EPA Watershed Academy Webcasts. Titles include the National Lakes Assessment; Healthy Shorelines through Better Shoreline Stewardship; and Nitrogen and Phosphorus Pollution and Harmful Algal Blooms in Lakes.

* Natural Lakeshore Tips – Webpage and downloadable widget for your website.

Throughout the month of July, EPA’s Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds will be tweeting daily information and tips on how to protect and restore our nation’s lakes. Follow them on twitter at www.twitter.com/EPAowow all month long.

Thank you for supporting clean and healthy lakes!

Advertisement