SASWCD explores Nickerson Lake

    With grant funding through the Department of Environmental Protection, the Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District recently held a “Lake Day” at Nickerson Lake. The Maine Lakes Conservancy Institute traveled to Nickerson with their mobile floating classroom, a 30’ pontoon boat complete with lake science technology equipment and an underwater camera.  The science boat made several trips out on the lake throughout the day and participants were able to try out different equipment to check lake clarity, water temperature and view various phyto- and zoo-plankton under microscope.
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ON THE BOAT — Participants identify the native aquatic plants collected from the public boat landing area at Mattawamkeag Lake in Island Falls.
    Lake Day continued in the afternoon at Crescent Park where kids and adults could make their own fruit smoothies by pedaling a bicycle, go on a tree identification walk, learn about watersheds and aquatic insects, and paint t-shirts using natural stamps. Afternoon activities were followed by the first-ever Nickerson Lake community picnic and barbecue at the park. The DEP-funded grant is a two-year grant to address erosion issues around Nickerson Lake and to educate the community on the ways each individual can maintain and improve their lake’s water quality. For more information about the grant, please contact the SASWCD at 532-2087.
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SNEAK PEAK — Carmel Bowers uses a Secchi disc to determine the clarity of the water.