Every month should be Lakes Appreciation Month

Did you know that July is Lakes Appreciation Month? And what a perfect month it is to appreciate Lake Winnipesaukee as we enjoy barbecues, boating, fishing, and swimming in the warm summer heat. This year, the North American Lake Management Society is celebrating July’s Lakes Appreciation Month with this message “You work and play on them. You drink from them. But do you really appreciate them? A growing population, development, and invasive species stress your local lakes, ponds and reservoirs. All life needs water; let’s not take it for granted.”

We are lucky here in the Lakes Region to have so many lakes and ponds to recreate on. Access to natural waterbodies is known to improve mental health and reduce stress, and engaging in water activities can promote physical fitness. Our lakes support abundant wildlife, fisheries, aid in climate regulation, and offer economic benefits through tourism, recreation and real estate. Additionally, the lakes and ponds in the Lakes Region have historical and cultural importance, especially for the Abenaki people. These are just a few things that our lakes do for us, but what can we do for our lakes?

This summer, please consider taking part in activities that help our lakes. You could host a small trash cleanup effort, go birding or hiking, join your local lake association, establish plantings on your shoreline, or lean into your creative side and draw or paint a lake scene.

The LWA has created a Winnipesaukee BINGO card. We would love to see some action shots of you, your friends, and family completing the bingo card challenge. Just send in your photos to be featured on Lake Winnipesaukee Association’s social media.

To download the BINGO card, visit

winnipesaukee.org/news-events. We also have Blue Tips for keeping Winnipesaukee clean and healthy,

winnipesaukee.org/take-action.

So, although Lakes Appreciation Month is officially in July, let’s continue to show appreciation for our lake year-round by practicing some lake-friendly actions to help “Keep Winni Blue.”

•••

Bree Rossiter is the conservation program manager for the Lake Winnipesaukee Association. She manages the water quality monitoring program, cyanobacteria monitoring initiatives, the Winni Blue/LakeSmart program, and assists with watershed management planning efforts. Bree can be reached at brossiter@winnipesaukee.org. The Lake Winnipesaukee Association is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the water quality and natural resources of the lake and its watershed. To learn more, visit winnipesaukee.org.