JUNE 12, 2026
LAKE RESILIENCE IN
2026 Lake Conference News + Updates
The conference theme this year will be Lake Resilience in the Face of Change, and speakers will focus on ways we can adapt our shorelines (and our behaviors) to meet the changes in our future. From climate to land-use to funding to demographic change, how can we best protect our lakes and make them resilient for an uncertain future?
Speaker Schedule Finalized: We are excited to share a full conference schedule below. We think there is something for everyone who attends!
Early Bird Registration Ends May 1st
Reminder: Early Bird Registration closes on May 1st. Register today before the price increases.
Too far to travel?: Consider staying the night before (or the night after) at the Ursa Hotel right on campus. Our block of rooms is booked for Thursday June 11 at our special rate of $139 for the night (option of 1 King-sized bed or 2 Queen-sized; discount off of $190 normal rate). Click here to book a room.
Hotel Ursa is located at 1 Moosehead Road, Orono, ME 04469.The “Reserve by” deadline date is May 20, 2026.
Sponsor our Conference
We are still looking for conference sponsors! The conference relies on business sponsors who help us keep registration costs down and support the staff who make the conference a success! We’d love to hear from you if your business would like to sponsor the conference. Click here for more information.
Donate to the Conference Fundraiser
Donate to the Conference Fundraiser! We rely on both a silent auction and a raffle to raise funds to cover conference expenses and are grateful to the many individuals and businesses who have contributed to our fundraisers in the past. If you have a donation, please fill our short donation form HERE and we’ll be in touch!
Table at the Conference
Want to share your business with conference attendees? Organizations and businesses are invited to table and/or sell products at the conference. You’ll meet with hundreds of conference attendees and get your business in front of a larger audience via social media and organizational newsletters. Fill out our vendor/exhibitor form HERE.
Sign Up for Conference News
Click here to subscribe to our Lake Conference Newsletter to find out more about next year’s conference and registration information.
Hosted By Maine Lakes & Lake Stewards of Maine
Guest Speakers & Panel
Keith Carson, Keynote Speaker
Biography
Former meteorologist for NewsCenter Maine and The Weather Channel and now the Director of Environmental and Science Communications at Maine Conservation Voters, Keith is on a mission to share the science of climate change and motivate people to make positive changes for the earth. Keith will share his expertise on ways to communicate effectively and take action, framed in the future of lakes in the face of change.
Sabrina Koetter, Plenary Speaker
Biography
Currently wrapping up her Master’s thesis work at the University of Vermont, Sabrina will share results from her research into pathways of information sharing and outcomes for participants in volunteer water monitoring programs. Some of you may have interacted with Sabrina over the last year, or filled out her survey. She will share lessons learned and ways to help us all engage more people in action for healthy lakes as they face a changing future.
Connecting Lakes and Communities: Understanding the Roles and Communication Practices of Volunteer Lake Monitors
Previous research on water monitoring volunteers commonly focuses on data collection, learning outcomes, or motivations, while less is known about how lake monitors interpret their positions as participatory scientists. Drawing on role theories to understand how volunteers in long-term lake monitoring programs define and enact their unique roles within their lake communities, this research explores factors that influence communication behaviors. Using surveys followed by focus groups, quantitative and qualitative data were collected from lake monitors in four long-term monitoring programs in the United States (ME, MN, NY, VT). Exploring the relationship between roles and communication provides insight into social ties, community outreach, the organizational role of lake associations, and recommendations for lake monitoring program engagement. Additionally, recommendations from this research will be provided to volunteer lake monitors and program coordinators to promote a comprehensive understanding of the monitors’ contributions and challenges regarding monitoring and communication.
Toni Pied
Biography
Toni works with the Aquatic Invasive Species Unit at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Toni has been working to protect Maine’s natural resources for over twenty years, and has dedicated much of that time to protecting one of Maine’s most treasured resources, our lakes. Toni grew up in Massachusetts and was fortunate to spend much of her childhood exploring Maine’s lakes, forests and mountains.
After earning a degree in Environmental Science and Biology from the University of Maine Farmington, Toni moved to Gardiner, where she lives with her family, and works to protect the place that fostered her love of the outdoors. In her spare time, she loves exploring Maine’s lakes, forests and coast; hiking and kayaking.
Sally Stockwell
Biography
Mary Szatkowski
Biography
Mary Szatkowski is a hydrogeologist for the Maine Geological Survey. Prior to joining MGS, she worked in Arctic Alaska evaluating impacts to lakes and streams from infrastructure development and climate change. Mary’s most recent projects have focused on water usage, drought, and the Maine Cooperative Snow Survey.
Impacts of Maine’s Drought Conditions on Lake Storage and Water Quality
Maine’s annual precipitation is generally increasing, yet parts of the state have experienced “extreme drought”, as defined by the U.S. Drought Monitor, in three of the last ten years. These droughts represent extreme hydrologic conditions which have wide ranging impacts, from industry to public health. Stakeholders work together to respond to current drought impacts and build resilience for future droughts. Lake water storage is of specific concern because of the reliance of public water systems on surficial water sources. Furthermore, drought conditions influence lake water quality and, in cases, have been associated with algal blooms. This presentation will discuss the hydrologic conditions which define Maine’s droughts, the hydrologic connectivity between lakes and groundwater, and drought impacts to lake water quality, namely how drought can promote the mobilization of phosphorus from soils into surface waters.
Ivonne Vasquez
Biography
Ivonne Vazquez is passionate about native plants, herbs, pollinators, DIY, sustainability, the environment, and sharing gardening knowledge. She is most often found outdoors using her skills as a former Master Gardener Volunteer, Licensed Registered Maine Guide/Recreation, Basic Gardening Instructor at Bangor (Maine) Adult Community Education, and native plant nursery owner at Bas Rouge Farm & Forge, Orono, Maine.
In addition to growing and selling native plants, she has been a freelance writer on a variety of gardening topics and articles for the Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners magazine, published by MOFGA; and an avid photographer whose main subjects are native plants and pollinators. She travels throughout Maine speaking and presenting workshops to a variety of audiences. Ivonne holds certificates in Sustainable Landscapes & Garden Management, Permaculture Design and, in 2025, she obtained credentials from the ANSI Accredited National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP) as a Green Infrastructure Practitioner.
Ivonne sits on the Boards of the Maine School Garden Network, Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association (MOFGA) & Fedco Seeds.
Conference Schedule
MORNING SESSION
| 9:00 – 9:30 | Alison Cooney and Susan Gallo | Opening Remarks and Framing Lake Change and Resilience |
| 9:30 – 10:30 | Keith Carson, Maine Conservation Voters | Keynote Talk |
| 10:30 – 11:00 | Break | |
| 11:00 – 12:00 | Sabrina Koetter, Graduate Student, University of Vermont | Plenary Talk, “Connecting Lakes and Communities: Understanding the Roles and Communication Practices of Volunteer Lake Monitors” |
| 12:00 – 1:30 | Lunch, Raffle and Silent Auction |
EARLY AFTERNOON SESSION TRACK 1
| 1:30 – 2:15 | Ivonne Vasquez, Bas Rouge Farms and Forge | Native Plant Buffers |
| 2:15 – 3:00 | Sally Stockwell, Maine Audubon | Forestry For Maine Fish |
EARLY AFTERNOON SESSION TRACK 2
| 1:30 – 2:15 | Mary Szatkowski, Maine Geologic Survey | Impacts of Maine’s Drought Conditions on Lake Storage and Water Quality |
| 2:15 – 3:00 | Toni Pied, Maine DEP | Social Marketing of AIS |
LATE AFTERNOON SESSION
| 3:00 – 3:45 | Lake Association Innovative Panel | |
| 3:45 – 4:00 | Wrap Up + Door prize and Raffle Drawings |
Our Sponsors
FAQs
Why has the price of registration changed?
Registration costs have increased this year due to several factors, including a change in venue and the rising cost of food and event services. As with many events, the overall cost of hosting the conference, including meals, presentation space, and related logistics, has gone up. We remain committed to keeping registration as affordable as possible while continuing to provide a high quality conference experience for participants.
Why has the conference moved to a new location?
As statewide organizations, we are working to make the conference as accessible as possible to participants from across Maine. To help achieve this, we are looking to hold the conference in different parts of the state and try new locations. Rotating locations allows us to better reach stewards, volunteers, and partners from a variety of regions.
What should I bring?
There will be all-day coffee and tea service. Please bring a coffee mug and/or refillable water tumbler. Light snacks will be available in the afternoon.
Where can I stay?
There is a small block of rooms reserved at the Hotel Ursa for Thursday, June 11 at a special rate of $139 + tax for the night (option of 1 King-size bed or 2 Queen-sized; discount off $190 normal rate). Click here to book a room. Please reserve by May 20th.
Will there be a silent auction and raffle?
Yes. There will be both a silent auction and a raffle held as part of the conference. Proceeds from these fundraisers will help support the conference and offset event costs.
