Assessing LakeSmart, a community-based lake protection program

F. Russell Cole (), Alexa Junker, Catherine R. Bevier, Maggie Shannon, Sophie Sarkar and Philip J. Nyhus
Additional contact information
F. Russell Cole: Colby College
Alexa Junker: Colby College
Catherine R. Bevier: Colby College
Maggie Shannon: Maine Lakes Society
Sophie Sarkar: Colby College
Philip J. Nyhus: Colby College

Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, 2018, vol. 8, issue 3, No 3, 264-280

Abstract: Abstract Anthropogenic impacts, particularly shoreline development and related nutrient runoff, threaten Maine lakes. The LakeSmart program was created in response to these threats to promote the use of lake-friendly landscaping practices. We used 237 surveys and 8 stakeholder interviews to investigate motivations that drive conservation behavior among lakeshore residents, to explore the effectiveness of criteria used for LakeSmart evaluations and to identify potential areas for improvement of its structural design and marketing strategies. LakeSmart participants were more likely than non-participants to recognize the threat of declining water quality, to adopt or enhance existing lake-friendly landscaping best management practices, and to help foster a strong sense of community. We conclude that the LakeSmart program could be strengthened with enhanced training for inspectors through increased “job-shadowing” opportunities with experienced inspectors, expanded mentoring for owners whose properties do not pass the initial LakeSmart evaluation, and by eliminating ambiguous wording in the property evaluation form. Partnerships with member-rich groups and identifying ways to reduce costs of recommended mitigation actions could increase program participation. The defined parameters of the property evaluation, along with recommendations to strengthen the evaluation process, can result in greater citizen participation and ultimately improved lake ecosystem health measured by fewer algal blooms and greater water clarity. LakeSmart could serve as a model for other conservation programs attempting to transform knowledge to action.

Keywords: Shoreline development; Lake eutrophication; Best management practices; Community-based conservation; Maine (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s13412-017-0460-7 Abstract (text/html)
Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:jenvss:v:8:y:2018:i:3:d:10.1007_s13412-017-0460-7

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.springer.com/economics/journal/13412

DOI: 10.1007/s13412-017-0460-7

Access Statistics for this article

Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences is currently edited by Walter A. Rosenbaum

More articles in Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences from Springer, Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().