Good afternoon LSC, we have some great news to share.

Back in early January, we let you know that we had earned the 2026 Healthy Ecosystems - Aquatic Invasive Species Spread Prevention and Management Grant from the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) and NEIWPCC for $25k to help fund our Greeter and DASH programs.

We are happy to report that we have also earned an Aquatic Nuisance Control Grant-In-Aid Program Grant from the State for $25,489 also in support of these important programs.

LSCA trustees have been working very hard over the winter on these grants, and we are extremely happy to have secured this grant funding for Lake St. Catherine!

In total, that's $50,489 in grant funding earned for the Greeter and DASH programs! These funds will go a long way, but will only partially fund the total costs of both of these programs for the 2026 season. Membership dues and contributions from the lake community, and allocations from the towns make up the rest of the funding for these programs.

About the Greeter Program:

Our Greeter Program is very important to the health of Lake St. Catherine. Our Greeters have been trained to identify aquatic invasive species (AIS) - like spiny waterflea, golden clams, water chestnut, starry stonewort and zebra mussels - to stop them from entering LSC at the boat launch in Wells. They also educate boaters about the importance of looking for these invasives on their boat or trailer so they are not spread to LSC or another lake. Each year, they do a fantastic job checking vessels and educating the lake community on the dangers of invasive species for Lake St. Catherine. They are on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Traditionally, through State Grant funding and contributions from our members, we were ale to staff the boat launch on the busiest days: Friday through Sunday, holidays, and during fishing tournaments. Earning this grant last year allowed us, for the first time, to be able to staff every day between Memorial and Labor day, and we will be able to do this again this year.

About the DASH Program:

Our DASH crew suits up in scuba gear and hand-pulls milfoil by the roots from the lakebed. In sections of lower milfoil density, they will swim the area and hand-pull milfoil with mesh bags. In higher density areas, they will set up the DASH equipment which allows them to suction the hand-pulled milfoil up through a tube to a catch table on a boat. Milfoil is then placed in 17.5 gallon buckets for transport off the lake. Using plant data collected from the fall survey, and the survey that will be conducted in the spring, a map will be created to show where the DASH team will focus on this season.

Thanks to everyone who has become a member, or renewed their membership for 2026 - we appreciate your support. If you have yet to renew for the 2026, we hope to earn your support. We have membership levels for everyone who loves LSC - and you can renew or become a member here: https://www.lakestcatherine.org/become-a-member

Thank you!