The Mission of the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program is to train, certify and provide technical support to volunteers who gather scientific information about the health of Maine lakes. Volunteers are trained to monitor a wide range of indicators of water quality, watershed health and function, and to screen lakes for invasive aquatic plants and animals. The VLMP provides training to volunteers at workshops conducted throughout the State of Maine during the spring and summer months.
Formed in 1971, Maine’s VLMP is the longest standing citizen lake monitoring program in the U.S., as well as one of the largest, with more than 1,000 active volunteers monitoring more than 500 lakes statewide. Many of our volunteers have continuously monitored the health of their lake for a quarter century, or more. The VLMP has been nationally recognized for efficiency and effectiveness in training and supporting citizen lake monitors. Much of what is known about Maine’s lakes and ponds is the result of years of dedicated effort by our volunteers.
Volunteer lake monitors come from all walks of life. Their work is an effective tool for fostering lake stewardship by raising community awareness about the connection between lakes and their watersheds.
The VLMP is the primary provider of lake data for the State of Maine. Beneficiaries of this information include:
- Maine Department of Environmental Protection
- US EPA
- Education institutions and research agencies
- Lake and watershed associations
- Soil and Water Conservation Districts
- Land trusts
- Towns throughout Maine
- Individuals
The VLMP is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to the collection of information pertaining to lake water quality. For 40 years, trained volunteers throughout Maine have donated their time so that we may all learn more about one of Maine’s most beautiful and important resources — our lakes.
 Lake Water Quality Monitoring |
 Center for Invasive Aquatic Plants |
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