Bob Eaton: The Lakes Region is noticing the change. What we do next matters

To The Daily Sun, 

There is a growing awareness in the Lakes Region that something is changing.

It’s not dramatic. It’s not sudden. But it’s there.

Fewer insects. Fewer birds. Quieter summer nights where fireflies once lit the shoreline.

For an area defined by its lakes and natural beauty, these are not small changes. They point to something deeper — an erosion of the systems that make this place what it is.

The quality of what we’ve long valued is diminishing. And while that may be difficult to measure in any single moment, it is becoming easier to recognize over time.

What makes this moment different is that we are beginning to understand why.

Runoff from lawns. Routine pesticide use. Even the lights we leave on at night. These are not isolated issues. Together, they are disrupting the insects that sustain birds, fish, and the broader health of our lakes.

And now, there is an added pressure.

The spiny water flea, an invasive species confirmed in Lake Winnipesaukee in 2023, is another signal that our lake systems are under strain. This species feeds on zooplankton — the very organisms that help keep algae in balance and support young fish.

When those natural controls are reduced, and nutrients and chemicals continue to enter the water, conditions can shift more easily toward imbalance — including the increased risk of cyanobacteria blooms.

These are not single causes. They are layered pressures, building over time.

This is not about blame. It is about awareness.

Because once we understand the connection between everyday choices and the condition of our lakes and wildlife, the path forward becomes clearer.

And importantly — it remains within reach.

This region has always taken pride in its lakes. That pride carries with it a quiet responsibility — not just to enjoy what we have, but to protect it.

That responsibility now extends beyond Winnipesaukee.

While we cannot remove the spiny water flea from a lake once it is established, we can still protect the many surrounding lakes in our region from further spread. What moves from one lake to another — on boats, gear, and water — matters.

There is still time to respond — but not indefinitely.

A community presentation on Thursday, May 14, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Belmont Town Hall will offer a clear look at what is happening locally and what can be done in response. It is current updates. It will impact all of us.

The focus is not on large, complicated solutions, but on practical steps — most simple, low or no cost — that can be taken immediately and have big impact.

The program is free and open to all.

For those who have noticed the change — and are wondering what can be done — this is an opportunity to better understand it, and to be part of the response.

In a region like ours, small actions — taken together — still have the power to make a meaningful difference. I hope we can show our community spirit and work together and support our small things that run our world.

Bob Eaton

Wolfeboro