By Sharon Parker
WHO ARE THOSE PEOPLE IN BLUE SHIRTS AT THE PUBLIC BOAT RAMP?
They are among the more than 50 Eastman Members volunteering as Lake Hosts, each of whom spends two hours a week beside our beautiful lake, ready to educate boaters about the steps they can take to avoid the spread of invasive aquatic plants and animals. Yes, animals! We are now on the lookout for Asian clams, zebra mussels and spiny water fleas. The invasive plants include Eurasian and variable milfoil, fanwort, water chestnut and curly-leaf pondweed among others. All these plants and animals have invaded the waters of neighboring states; some are already in New Hampshire. Once these invasives arrive, they are impossible to eliminate and shockingly expensive to control. As a result, property values and water sports suffer.
Lake Hosting is a statewide program of NH Lakes Association, which supervises training and produces literature to distribute to the public. You will meet volunteer Lake Hosts at boat ramps on most NH ponds and lakes.
“CLEAN, DRAIN, & DRY” is the mantra of NH Lake Hosts. CLEAN all boats with a powerful stream of hot water. DRAIN all motors, bilges, wells, and bait buckets away from the lake. DRY boats and trailers in the sun for five days or wipe vigorously with a towel before reuse. The animals latch onto boats as invisible larvae, thus the need to CLEAN, DRAIN, & DRY. Besides distributing this important information, hosts are also on the lookout for any suspicious plants and animals, which are sent to NH Lakes Association for identification.
Here at Eastman our volunteers spend an hour in the classroom each spring where Ernie Mills, Klaran Warner, Sharon Parker and Gretchen Fairweather teach the protocol for Lake Hosting. Then each volunteer chooses two hours weekly at the boat ramp that fit his/her schedule. There is also a list of trained people to substitute when needed.
Lake Hosts at Eastman are fortunate. With funds from the Eastman Charitable Foundation, John Larrabee and Bill Underhill built a shelter for us last year. When no boats are coming or going at our launch, Lake Hosts can read, visit with passing hikers and dog owners and meditate on the sky or the waters of the lake. They can stretch their legs at the lake shore or admire the wildflowers on the dam.
Lake hosting is a pleasant volunteer job and an important one. Lake Hosts are the first defense against aquatic nuisance species that would love to make Eastman Lake their home. If you would like to volunteer this summer or next, contact Sharon Parker at 863-7348 or parker.nh@gmail.com. Join the club!
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