You can become a watershed wise partner!
Watershed Wise is an award-based program designed to educate and encourage good land stewardship practices that landowners can follow to protect the streams, lakes, and ponds in the Lake Sunapee Watershed.
This program has had many individuals within the Lake Sunapee Watershed participate, construct, and/or share wonderful examples of conservation, land management, and environmentally friendly landscaping.
Anyone who owns property within the watershed (including those on/near Little Lake Sunapee) can start the process of becoming a
“Watershed Wise Partner” by filling out a self-assessment of your property.
For further information on the Watershed Wise Program and the awarding process or to access the self-assessment
Click Here: https://www.lakesunapee.org/ww-intro
“Let’s Be Clear” Campaign
Geology, environmental conditions, and human behavior also impact the quality of our lake water. While some things are beyond our control, there is much that we can do to keep our lake healthy.
In 2022 Lake Sunapee Protective Association launched Let’s Be Clear, a public awareness campaign to educate lakeside property owners about the causes of lake water quality decline in the watershed that can be mitigated just by changing our behavior.
The Little Lake Sunapee Protective Association is partnering with the Lake Sunapee Protective Association to educate all landowners and residents in the watershed area to work proactively to preserve the water quality of our lakes. Here are ten things you can do!
- Test your soil before applying any fertilizer, switch to phosphorus-free products, or eliminate their use
- Use safe alternatives to pesticides and herbicides
- Follow state and local building and tree cutting regulations; obtain and adhere to all required permits
- Maintain your septic system and have it routinely pumped and inspected
- Do not feed the waterfowl
- Use less salt or alternatives on your driveway and walkways
- Plant/maintain trees and shrubs along shorelines and reduce large lawns
- Minimize use of dock de-icers by utilizing timers and thermostats
LakeSmart
LakeSmart is an education, evaluation, and recognition program that is free, voluntary, and non-regulatory. It includes an evaluation process to determine how lake-friendly your property and activities are. The evaluation covers driveway and parking areas, structures and wastewater treatment systems, and yard and play areas. For properties along the water, the shoreline and shallow water areas of the lake are included.
Shoreland Plantings
The following link provides information about best practices relative to planting in the areas near any New Hampshire lake.
