UNH Hosts Lakes Lay Monitoring Program Conference July 16

Contact: Sharon Keeler
603-862-1566
UNH Media Relations

July 14, 2004



DURHAM, N.H. -- The NH Lakes Lay Monitoring Program (LLMP), run by the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, is hosting an anniversary celebration and conference Friday, July 16, 2004 in recognition of more than 25 years of volunteer monitoring.

Citizen monitors past and present, as well as community decision-makers, lake and watershed association members and anyone interested in New Hampshire lakes, are invited to attend.

The conference takes place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Barton Hall on the UNH campus. Cost is $20 per individual or $35 per couple, and includes lunch.

The agenda includes an overview of LLMP, as well as talks on what has been learned about New Hampshire lakes and future directions for monitoring. Afternoon break out sessions offer the opportunity to tour the LLMP lab as well as learn about the “weed watcher” and “lake host” programs or the watershed stewardship academy.

For more information, contact Holly Young at 603-862-1564 or holly.young@unh.edu

Lakes Lay Monitoring Program

LLMP Fast Stats
• Program started in 1978
• Current active volunteers: 500
• NH sites monitored since 1978: 200+ (multiple test sites at large lakes)
• Annual volunteer hours donated: 1500+
• UNH student interns employed by LLMP each summer: 12
• Cash contributions from towns and lakes associations to LLMP for travel, student labor, lab supplies, postage: $30,000/year
• Average savings per town: $8,000/year
• Water samples collected annually: 5000+
• Provided a model for similar programs in 35 states and 12 countries.

The UNH Lay Lakes Monitoring Program (LLMP) started in 1978 as a field limnology project for students in the biological sciences. To expand its reach and impact, in 1979 the project began recruiting local citizens who live around lakes and have a vested interest in their water quality.

Jeff Schloss, who has coordinated the LLMP since 1986, currently holds a joint appointment as a research scientist in the UNH Center for Freshwater Biology and as a water resources specialist with UNH Cooperative Extension.