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Lake Education and Action Program

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Lake Education and Action Program

LEAP is a project sponsored by Sea Grant, a marine and great lakes initiative funded through NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

Lake Champlain Sea Grant (LCSG)- The University of Vermont supports improved understanding, use and management of Lake Champlain and the basin's inland lakes and waters. LCSG's educational efforts focus on educating young people about their local water resources and what can be done to monitor and protect them.

LEAP is a joint project of the University of Vermont, University of Maine and the University of New Hampshire.

For three years, LEAP has been active at Lake St. Catherine in Poultney and Wells, Vermont. Interns from Green Mountain College as well as local high school students have done water quality related projects including:

• Installation of attractive buffer plantings along lakeside properties to filter runoff
• Distribution of information related to invasive species and septic maintenance
• Creation of a "welcome garden" at an entrance to the lake which showcases attractive plants that can be used for buffers
• Provided education to lake homeowners through surveys, individual visits and newsletters.

While the grant for this project has ended, the University of Vermont Sea Grant program has committed to continuing funding for a summer intern to ensure the sustainability of this exciting lake water quality education program. In 2007, we hope to evaluate previously installed buffers and to reach out to other lake associations in the area.