Freedom—June 19, 2018—Summer brings the start of boating season, and the influx of boats increases the potential for invasive milfoil to enter the lake—or to exit the lake when a visiting boat is removed and taken elsewhere.

Lake Hosts help prevent both from occurring. Using a mix of paid and volunteer hosts, local program coordinator Jim McElroy plans to provide Lake Host coverage at all public and commercial boat ramps in the lake’s three towns this year in association with Concord-based NH Lakes.

Lake Hosts greet boaters and provide a complimentary inspection of the vessel to uncover and destroy invasive plants. Training is provided, and work hours are flexible and can be varied by ramp location. The primary boat ramps include those on Route 25 and Pequawket Trail in Ossipee, and Ossipee Lake Marina in Freedom.

The Ossipee Lake system has had a number of “saves”—preventing invasives from entering or leaving the lake—in the past, making the program, which is overseen by NH Lakes, an effective one.

Interested? Contact Jim McElroy at jmcelroy@inemi.org or (603) 733-7543.

Read more about the program on the NH Lakes website.