It was another great season for Lake Wise on Lake St. Catherine!

Lake Wise is a program developed by Vermont’s Lakes and Ponds Program to recognize outstanding efforts by homeowners who live along a lakeshore to protect the water quality and habitat along the shoreline and within the near-shore area of the lake.

Stormwater has a widespread environmental impact which makes it a growing concern in Vermont. In a statewide effort, towns and local organizations are working to implement large scale projects to help clean stormwater before it enters water bodies. Work is being done from the headwaters all the way down to the stream outlets. Excess nutrients in the water contribute to problems which affect both human and wildlife health including; lower oxygen levels in the water, toxic algae blooms, and excessive plant growth.

As a shoreline property owner, you have the access and the ability to control what is happening directly at the water's edge. While small-scale improvements on individual properties may not seem like they have much impact, collectively the implementation of many small projects will have a positive benefit on the water quality in the lake and the surrounding watershed. Actions now will promote a healthy lake environment that will continue to support swimming, fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing in the future.

This is such an important program for long term health of Lake St. Catherine, and we can all pitch in to make a difference.

The LSCA was happy to again be partnering with the Poultney Mettowee Natural Resources Conservation District (PMNRCD) on this program, using funds earned through a grant from the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) & NEIWPCC.

Although no properties received the Lake Wise Award this season, Jaden the Lake Wise team leader from PMNRCD reports that multiple properties are very close. Work will continue on these properties, and they can be reevaluated in the future.

Currently, Lake St. Catherine has 29 Lake Wise Award winning properties. You can see where these properties are on the lake by viewing the interactive map on our Lake Wise page here: https://lakestcatherine.org/lake-wise-program.

The LSCA and PMNRCD have again applied for grant funding from LCBP & NEIWPCC to continue the Lake Wise Program next year.

Thank you to all the Lake Wise participants for the work they have put into their property in an effort to become Lake Wise. This work represents a model of what all LSC lakeshore owners should strive for, as these projects are both beautiful and lake friendly.

Before the Lake Wise crew got to work around the lake this year, they once again participated in a training day conducted by the Vermont DEC, which has taken place at Lake St. Catherine over the past several years for our region. Thank you to the property owners who allowed PMNRCD and DEC staff to use your properties for the training!

The PMNRCD crew completed a tremendous amount of work in support of the Lake Wise Program this season (thank you Jaden!). They were also able to leverage their Lake Education Action Program (LEAP) program, which pairs student and community lake education with the implementation of small planting projects for shoreline owners to increase the amount of projects completed. This year, the LEAP team included high school interns from Poultney High School, and Long Trail High School.

Here are some stats of the work performed by the PMNRCD Lake Wise team this year:

• 7 new property assessments
• 1 property reassessment
• 4 projects funded through Lake Wise
• 2 projects funded through LEAP
• 206 total native plantings!

Projects can include the creation of buffer areas, native plantings, water diversion and water infiltration, and shoreline stabilization.

The LSCA would like to help other Lake St. Catherine property owners implement best practices to mitigate stormwater on their properties, and help them to earn the Lake Wise award. To date, over 110 properties have participated in the Lake Wise Program, and have at least received an initial assessment. This program is FREE to shoreline property owners, with funding earned through grants. If you would like to have your property assessed, or if you would like a reassessment, please email us at info@lakestcatherine.org to sign up for Lake Wise 2026.

Photos: By Jaden Groff.

- Left, LEAP intern Devon Barnes with native plantings
- Right, PMNRCD & Vermont DEC staff at Lake St. Catherine for Lake Wise training

The Lake St. Catherine Association is thankful for the support of the lake community and our members as we work to fulfill our mission of the preservation, protection and maintenance of Lake St. Catherine.

The LSCA is also thankful for the Poultney Mettowee Natural Resources Conservation District and their excellent staff, Fitzgerald Environmental, Limnologist Emily Porter-Goff, the Towns of Wells & Poultney, the Wells Village Library, the LSC State Park, the Vermont Center for Ecostudies, the Lake Champlain Basin Program & NEIWPCC, all the departments under the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, our State Representatives & Senators, and the Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds - thank you for your efforts in support of Lake St. Catherine in 2025!

We are currently hard-at-work making plans for 2026. Keep your eye out for our 2025 Year In Review summary coming soon.

The Trustees of the LSCA would like to wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you for your support!

A quick thank you to Lisa and Marsha who joined us this morning for the VIP Paddle at the Boat Launch.

We paddled the area looking at our native plants, and looking for any potential introductions of invasives.

Pictured below is one of our native plants, ribbon leaf pondweed.

We'll be filing a report with the DEC about our observations during today's paddle.

There was interest to do another paddle, so we'll look to schedule one at and around the Wells Lakeside Park on Little Lake towards the end of September. Let us know if you'd be interested in participating!

> About the VIP Program:

The VIP program was established by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in 2007 to focus on early detection of all known and potential aquatic invasive species (AIS) before they can become established in a waterbody. Early detection is vital to protecting Lake St. Catherine from harmful invasive plants and animals. Volunteers participating in the VIP Program will monitor Lake St. Catherine for new introductions of invasive species and report their findings to the DEC. If a new invasive is discovered, the DEC will dispatch a team and work with the LSCA to organize an effort to remove it from the lake. This is a GREAT addition to our invasive species control and prevention initiatives which includes our Greeter Program.

You can read more about the VIP Program on LSC here: https://lakestcatherine.org/vermont-invasive-patrollers

The LSCA recently made a donation to the Vermont Center for Ecostudies on behalf of Lake St. Catherine in honor of our 2025 loon chick, and in recognition of the continued support from Eric and Eloise from VCE of LSC's loons.

VCE sent us this article detailing the work of their Loon Conservation Project this summer, and the importance of community participation in their efforts.

Check it out here: "Two Biologists and Every Loon in Vermont: the Power of Community Science"

Photo: Karen Velsor

The Fall 2025 Newsletter is here!

A short run of printed copies of the newsletter are available at Wellsmere Farm in Wells, and the Cones Point General Store / Cluckin' Cafe in Poultney. If you'd like a printed copy, please feel free to pick one up when you are out and about (available now!). Thank you to Michelle and Nicole for having them available!

Also, your LSCA Trustee neighbors will have printed copies available around the lake over the weekend, so stop by to say hi.

The digital version is now available online via our website through this link: Click here to view the Fall 2025 Newsletter, or click on the image below. When you click on the link for the newsletter, you will be able to view it on screen - and be able to zoom in or out using the controls in your browser window. Or, you can click the download button to save a copy to your computer to view with a PDF reader, and/or print a copy.

Calling all paddlers...

On the morning of Saturday, September 6th at 9 AM, the LSCA will hold the first VIP Paddle of the season at the boat launch, we hope you'll join us!

The VIP program was established by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in 2007 to focus on early detection of all known and potential aquatic invasive species (AIS) before they can become established in a waterbody.

Early detection is vital to protecting Lake St. Catherine from harmful invasive plants and animals. Volunteers participating in the VIP Program will monitor Lake St. Catherine for new introductions of invasive species and report their findings to the DEC. If a new invasive is discovered, the DEC will dispatch a team and work with the LSCA to organize an effort to remove it from the lake.

This is a GREAT addition to our invasive species control and prevention initiatives which includes our Greeter Program.

If you like to paddle, would like to learn more about LSC's aquatic plants, and would like to be part of an early warning system for detecting invasive species in LSC, please reach out to us at info@lakestcatherine.org to let us know you'd like to participate on September 6th.

You can read more about the VIP Program on LSC here: https://lakestcatherine.org/vermont-invasive-patrollers

Good evening LSC. We wanted to take a moment to thank everyone involved in the milfoil hand-pulling volunteer effort at Lakes End today.

Thanks to Jim, Christine, and Marcia and Steve for lending us floating mats, thanks to all the Lakes End neighbors that participated: Dale, Dave & Tyler, Mike & Shelia, and Alex & Michael, and thanks to folks from around the lake that helped out: Philip, Jerremy, Lindsey and her visiting friend, and new State Park Interpreter Elena.

We worked from 8 AM to about 1 PM, and got a lot done! It was great to see so many folks get together and make a big impact.

Milfoil had taken over the shoreline, crowding out the natives that had grown there previously. Tyler reached out to see what could be done, and we put together this volunteer morning which worked out very well!

The neighbors will let all the milfoil dewater and dry up, and will take it to the transfer station to dispose of it like yard waste. Also, after the water settles, they can float back out to remove any milfoil plants that we missed.

Great job all, and thanks for your efforts!

Here are some photos from the day from our Facebook page:

Next Saturday, August 9th, is the 90th East Poultney Day, held on the historic East Poultney Green from 9 AM to 3 PM. The theme this year is a commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary. You can read more about the day on the Poultney Historical Society's website here: https://www.poultneyhistoricalsociety.org/come-celebrate-the-90th-east-poultney-day

The LSCA will be there with our booth and the Lake St. Catherine Watershed Model - in our regular spot - so stop in and see us and talk about the lake!

We'll also have LSC stickers and LSC Scrapbooks available.

We hope to see you there!

On Saturday, July 26th, the Lake St. Catherine Association held their third meeting of the 2025 season.

Attendance: Jim Canders, Jerremy Jones, Mary Jo Teetor, Ed Laird, Jeff Crandall, Kemi McShane, Sue Williams, Mark Shea, Lisa Micich. Absent: Bob Williams, Mike Gay, Nancy Liberatore.

Guests: John Belnavis, reported on the Greeter Program. 1,000 boats inspected in 2024, 900 inspected in 2025 to date. There was a problem with the paychecks which was resolved, discussion of new requirements which we are exempt from. John spoke of the Annual Dinner and requested two checks from the Treasurer to pay for the facility fee and the money collected for the dinners. Dan O’Connell present as a candidate to the Board of Trustees.

Call to Order: President Jim Canders called the meeting to order at 8:30.

Approval of Meeting Minutes: Amendment made to the listing of Sue Williams as present and not online. Motion to approve the July Minutes, all in favor and so moved.

Treasurer’s Report: Mary Jo Teetor reviewed the accounts, a second payment was made to the DASH team, PMNRCD submitted an invoice to be paid. Watershed Action Plan payment received. Grant money from the Lake Champlain Basin Program is still outstanding. LSCA is in good shape financially. Grant money received and Membership is strong. Lisa made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented, seconded by Mark, all in favor, so moved.

Milfoil Program: Jeff reported as of April 2025, LSCA has a new five year permit in place. The milfoil was hard to find during the spring survey, but 15 sites identified based on the fall survey. The DASH team started hand-pulling in June and started DASH after the 4th of July weekend. Milfoil getting dense in and around Atwater Bay. Sue mentioned that Idylwild Bay was only partially DASHed last year, could the team revisit? This year only DASH and hand-pulling used, extending the DASH team a few weeks.

Publicity: Jerremy reviewed the presentation for the Annual Meeting, and noted the invited guests that will be attending. He mentioned the increase in the invasive Curly Leaf Pondweed. Mary Jo spoke of seeing cormorants, a bird that can be very destructive. Ed Laird spoke of the bylaws for the annual meeting. As of today, LSCA has 365 members.

Lake Safety: Mike has put solar lights on the buoys.

Water Quality and Testing: Mary Jo has been taking lay monitoring water samples. Early in the season, with so much rain, water clarity was low. Discussed multiple waves of high pollen and the recent wildfire smoke. Weather plays a major factor in water clarity. As of today, lake is looking good.

Nominating Committee: there has not been any contact with Bob Williams.

Membership: Jerremy reminder postcards will be mailed to members who have not yet renewed for 2025.

Government: Jerremy reached out to State and local reps to attend the Annual Meeting.

New Business: Jerremy asked to make a $200.00 donation to the VT Center of Ecostudies for their support of our loons. A motion to donate the funds in the amount of $200.00 was seconded by Lisa, all in favor and so moved.

Adjournment: a motion was made by Mark to Adjourn the meeting at 9:57 and seconded by Jeff. All in favor, so moved.

Next meeting: August 23, 2025 at 8:00 AM LSC CC.

Minutes respectfully submitted, Kemi McShane

Good morning LSC. We wanted to post a quick recap of last night's Annual Meeting & Dinner.

We had a full house - thank you to everyone who attended! We hope you enjoyed the presentation, your dinner, and the evening spent with your lake neighbors. It was great to see so many folks who care about beautiful Lake St. Catherine.

A few more Thank Yous: Thanks to the Lake St. Catherine Country Club and their wonderful staff for hosting us last evening, dinner was excellent! And thank you to our State and local representatives who joined us last evening, we appreciate your interest and support for the lake!

The presentation was recorded and you can view it on YouTube here:

https://youtu.be/SEw6OHU3tz4

Our apologies for the audio on the recording which is a bit hard to hear.

If you have any comments or questions, please reach out to us at info@lakestcatherine.org.

Thanks for your support of the LSCA!

Here are some photos from the evening: