By Jodi Hausen,Staff Writer

FARMINGTON – About 30 people have registered to learn more about environmentally friendly lakefront property landscaping Saturday.

A free workshop to educate lakefront property owners about lake-friendly landscaping and land management will be held at the University of Maine at Farmington. It is sponsored by three area lake associations – Friends of Wilson Lake in Wilton, Porter Lake Association in New Vineyard and Clearwater Lake Association in Industry.

The LakeSmart program was “implemented in 2003 to recognize homeowners in lake watersheds who manage and landscape their property in a natural, lake-friendly manner” by the state’s Department of Environmental Protection, according to the Web site, www.maine.gov/dep/blwq/doclake/lakesmart. The DEP presents recognition, awards and educational programs and site walks of properties to interested homeowners throughout the state.

Saturday’s workshop will include site walks of two Wilton properties on Wilson Lake – Anthony and Carolyn McLaughlin’s LakeSmart-awarded property and adjacent Whispering Pines Motel.

Tom Whalen and Sue Atwood have owned Whispering Pines Motel adjacent to the McLaughlins for almost a year. Atwood said she is really excited about the workshop they both will be attending.

When the two bought the property there was an erosion problem on the steep hill leading down to their 90-foot shorefront, where they have picnic tables, Whalen said.

“One of my biggest concerns was the shorefront,” Atwood said Thursday. There are exposed tree roots, and she added that she is really concerned about the trees.

“Over the years (the slope) has seen a lot of foot traffic,” Whalen agreed. “It needs to be fixed. If we’re going to fix it, we might as well do it the right way.”

The LakeSmart program has issued awards to more than 30 homeowners in the past two years – three are on Wilson Lake. To qualify for an award, property owners must receive high marks in four property evaluation categories – driveway and parking areas; structures and septic system; lawn, recreation and footpaths; and shorefront and beach area.

Owners can qualify for recognition by meeting criteria for at least one of the categories. Four property owners on Wilson Lake are listed on the department’s recognition Web page. Recognized property owners receive a certificate, one who receive awards get two signs and an engraved plaque.

Participants Saturday will learn about native lakeside plants, environmentally friendly fertilizing, storm water runoff, erosion issues and rain gardens. They will also visit the McLaughlin property, which is said to be a textbook example of the right way to do it, according to Friends of Wilson Lake President Wynn Muller.

For more information about the workshop, people may call Muller at 645-3716.