The past few weeks have flown by like the Canada geese traveling north for the summer. Packed full of training, I am now ready to take on the various projects that await Anthony, my fellow Watershed Steward, and I over the months ahead. Anthony and I are Wilderness First Aid and CPR certified and, while I hope to never need those skills, it brings a sense of relief knowing I am prepared for anything, not only while serving on the Newfound Lake Region Association team, but also while exploring the beautiful parks, forests, and conservation areas of New Hampshire on my own.
Walking into this summer as a Watershed Steward for Newfound Lake Region Association, I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect of my role as a Watershed Steward or even what to expect of the nearby communities. When learning that we would be expected to help host a booth at the Bristol Sustainability Fair, I was more than thrilled to have the opportunity assist with making newspaper seed starters and speak with the local residents about sustainable practices.
Watershed Stewards Anthony and Jenna and Development and Communications Manager Audrey West represented NLRA at the Bristol Sustainability Fair, connecting with attendees about conservation and sustainability.
Jenna demonstrated how to use handmade newspaper flower pots at the Bristol Sustainability Fair. Watershed Stewards Anthony and Jenna and Development and Communications Manager Audrey West represented NLRA at the Bristol Sustainability Fair, connecting with attendees about conservation and sustainability. These sustainable pots can be planted directly in the ground when ready. Once in the ground, the newspaper will decompose.
It has been beyond inspiring to serve a community that rallies around a beautiful body of water such as Newfound Lake and its vast watershed. Anthony and I met with several students and professors from the University of New Hampshire, who trained us and NLRA volunteers how to conduct routine water quality monitoring on Newfound Lake. Each week as Watershed Stewards, we are expected to work along-side community volunteer members to collect water quality samples from designated areas around Newfound Lake for analysis.
Watershed Stewards collect water clarity readings using an Ecoscope and a Secchi disk.
UNH and NLRA partnered to teach students, volunteers, and Watershed Stewards how to collect water quality samples.
As the training slows down and we begin to get in a more normal routine, I am excited to start digging deeper into our individual projects, water quality monitoring, as well as continue to explore the watershed and surrounding areas in New Hampshire. Hopefully I’ll see y’all out on the water or hiking the trails!
As part of their introduction to the watershed, Watershed Stewards climb Cardigan Mountain. Views from the bald overlook the Newfound Watershed!
Watershed Stewards explore the Northern Newfound Water Trail to familiarize themselves with Newfound Lake. Paddlers can download the Northern Newfound Water Trail map from NewfoundLake.org or pick up a copy at Grey Rocks Conservation Area.
Jenna joined the LRCC program with the Newfound Lake Region Association after over 4 years with Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division, where she worked as an Environmental Specialist. You can learn more about Jenna here!