How-To & Educational Videos

• Lake Lawrence YouTube channel – https://www.youtube.com/@lakelawrence 

Community Organization Tools

• Home | Libraries Love Lakes
• NALMS Preparing Lake (and Watershed) Management Plans: https://www.nalms.org/home/lake-management-planning/
• Lake Management District (LMD) information – Chapter 36.61 RCW: LAKE AND BEACH MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS
  • LMD information from Thurston County – https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/departments/public-health-and-social-services/environmental-health/water/lake-management 
• Tools for communication
  • Social media like Nextdoor, gather.town
  • Neighborhood associations meetings
  • Procure e-mail contacts or go door-to-door
  • Post monthly bulletins/newsletters

Fun Ways to Organize Community

• Offer free pizza or free childcare at an event
• Summer BBQ or ice cream social on the lake 
• Organize a lake tour 
• Potlucks and door prizes
• Participate in the annual North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) Secchi Dip-In
• Meeting facilitation help: Liberating Structures – Introduction

Harmful Algal Blooms 

• EPA HABs outreach: https://www.epa.gov/habs/outreach-and-other-hab-resources 
• HABs: What You Can Do
• EPA bloomWatch
• EPA CyAN Web App
• EPA Freshwater HAB Forecasts
• Phytoplankton Monitoring Network 
  • Community-based volunteer network monitoring marine phytoplankton and (HABs)
• Washington State Toxic Algae Database
• Provides cyanobacteria toxin data in Washington lakes, ponds and streams. 
• Free HAB testing through King County Environmental Lab
• Washington State Freshwater Algae Email Notification List
• Washington State DOH Toolkit

Data and Monitoring

• North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) Secchi Dip-In
• NALMS page on volunteer lake monitoring methods
• WA Lakes Environmental Data 
• A Citizen’s Guide to Monitoring Lakes and Streams
  • Ecology publication from 1990

Water Quality Testing Resources

• Ecology’s accredited lab list – Home – Lab Search
• QuantiPlate for detecting Microcystin – EnviroLogix
• Abraxis algal toxin test kits: https://www.goldstandarddiagnostics.us/home/products/rapid-test-kits/algal-toxins/ 
• Microscopy online key to cyanobacteria – http://snoringcat.net/cyanobacteria_key/index.html

Funding

• Freshwater Algae Control Grants
• Aquatic Invasive Plant Grants
• Water quality combined – Washington State Department of Ecology
• Septic low interest loan https://www.craft3.org/homeowner-loans/clean-water/washington
• Bass Pro Shop and Cabella’s funding opportunities: https://about.basspro.com/community/support/ 
• Recreation and Conservation Office grants: https://rco.wa.gov/  

Native Plant Resources

• Pierce Conservation District – Local Nurseries Supplying Native and/or Organic Plants: https://piercecd.org/DocumentCenter/View/3185/GSI-Resource_Local-Nurseries-Landscapers-and-Contractors?bidId
• Snohomish County Plant guide: https://snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/33063/LakeWise-Plant-List?bidId=
• Natural Yard Care – Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
• Native Plant Sale | Pierce Conservation District, WA
• Inaturalist has great resources for tracking invasive species and species ID
• Search for your local conservation district for native plants. Usually have sales and lists of native plants.