MOUNT VERNON – Camp Bearnstow is hosting an invasive aquatic plant training session Saturday, Aug. 2, for lake users.

The focus of the free session will be identifying nuisance plants, methods of control, plant patrol weed watchers, courtesy boat inspections and volunteering. The session will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Foreign, nonnative plants like milfoil, hydrilla and parrot feather severely infest lakes to render them nearly useless. So far, only three of the lower 48 states, Maine, Montana and Wyoming, have been spared of Eurasian milfoil. However, variable milfoil, a somewhat less damaging weed, is now in Maine lakes. A trained volunteer found hydrilla in a southern Maine lake last year.

Among the ways to control these destructive plants is through a statewide prevention strategy, use of chemicals, mechanical harvesting and hand pulling. All of these methods are expensive and repetitive. Once the weed arrives, it is usually there to stay. The battle to keep it from choking out other life, fouling boat propellers, wrapping around swimmers and spreading to other lakes takes on many forms of commitment.

Lake associations and other volunteer stewards remain as key players in protecting Maine’s lakes. Historically, this has included water quality monitoring, watershed surveys, beneficial land improvements, citizen outreach and legislative action. Controlling invasive aquatic plants is now added to the list. A good start in getting involved begins with attending the workshop.

Camp Bearnstow is located on Parker Pond in Mount Vernon. Follow Route 41 at the village to Seavy Corner Road and proceed west and turn left onto Ithiel Gordon Road. The camp is on the right.

The public is invited to attend at no cost and bring a brown bag. Preregistration is encouraged. For more information, contact Ruth Grauert at 293-2280.

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