Of all the volunteer opportunities out there, have you ever considered becoming a Swales Volunteer? Maybe now’s the time!

Please join us on Wednesday, November 11, and/or Thursday, November 12, 9AM-12PM, at the Island public access area off of Route 16 at Chocorua Lake, for a Stewardship Morning of leaf-raking exercise, camaraderie, and views of Mount Chocorua. We'll be trimming the berms and raking the swales along the lake, an annual fall and spring event that helps to keep this important system working to protect the lake from Route 16 run-off.

Established in 2000, the berms and swales are a system of "best management practices" installed to help reduce the amount of phosphorus running off the highway and into the lake. The ditches lined with landscape fabric and stone are raked annually to allow runoff to percolate through and be filtered before entering the lake. You can watch a brief documentary about the project here!

 You're welcome to join us for as long or as short a time as you wish—every little bit counts! If you can't make it either of these two days, please give  a call and perhaps you would consider becoming a "swales volunteer" —we can assign you your own 25' stretch to "adopt" and you can clear it out on your own time.

 Bring a mask, a garden rake and/or leaf rake, a pair of clippers, and a pair of gloves along with your enthusiasm for being outside during a beautiful time of year! Please call ahead at 323-6252, or email lflaccus@chocorualake.org to let us know you will be coming so that we can let you know of any added safety precautions or changes in the schedule.

Banner image: Raking out a swale. Photo: Lynne Flaccus