Maine Field Guide to Invasive Aquatic Plants - Brant Lake Milfoil ...

The Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program (VLMP), formed in
1971, is the longest standing citizen lake monitoring program in the U.
S., and the largest provider of scientific lake data in the State of Maine.
Several hundred certified volunteers currently monitor more than 500
lakes through the VLMP. The VLMP mission is:
To foster stewardship of Maine’s lakes and their watersheds,
to insure high water quality and ecological integrity. This is to
be accomplished by the collection of credible lake data by trained
citizen volunteers, and by providing educational material to
the citizens of Maine.
The wide range of data collected by our volunteers is the cornerstone
of the foundation of knowledge for Maine lakes. Data collected by the
VLMP strengthens watershed education and conservation initiatives,
and helps motivate positive action toward the protection and restoration
of Maine lakes.
We have established many collaborative partnerships throughout Maine
with entities and individuals who are focused on Maine lakes. Our
partners include state agencies, such as the Maine Departments of
Environmental Protection and Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and the
Maine Natural Areas Program, public water utilities, including the Maine
Water Utilities Association, the Portland Water District and the Auburn
Water District, educational institutions, including the University of Maine
and Unity College, regional lake conservation organizations, including
the Maine Congress of Lake Associations and Lakes Environmental
Association and others including individual lake associations and
watershed conservation groups, community planners, private citizens,
and businesses.
In response to the growing threat to Maine waters by invasive aquatic
flora and fauna, the VLMP formed the Maine Center for Invasive Aquatic
Plants (MCIAP) in 2003. MCIAP was created to provide a citizen-based
front line in the battle to protect Maine waters from aquatic invaders.
MCIAP provides a wide range of training and networking opportunities,
technical services and resources to support active public participation in
the statewide effort to prevent the spread of aquatic invaders through
prevention, early detection and rapid response to infestations. MCIAP’s
Invasive Plant Patrol Program (IPP) is widely recognized as one of the
most comprehensive and successful training programs of its kind in the
country. Nearly all of the aquatic invaders now known to be present in
Maine were first detected by alert and informed volunteers. MCIAP has
played a critical role in raising public awareness about the threat of
aquatic invaders in Maine.
This Field Guide is one of several resources developed by the VLMP for
public use in addressing the threat of aquatic invaders. We hope you
find it helpful. Thank you for your efforts to protect Maine waters.
iii Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program
The Authors