Page 7 - FEB2026

February 2026 NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM Page 7
Community
HEBRON — The Newfound Lake Region Association (NLRA) invites community members to gather for an engaging conver- sation about the natural world at Let’s Talk Nature: Beavers and Biodiversity, on Wednesday, Feb- ruary 4, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Grey Rocks Conservation Center at 178 North Shore Road in Hebron.
This facilitated, informal discussion is part of the ongo- ing Let’s Talk Nature series, which brings people together for thoughtful, community-centered
Explores Beavers and Biodiversity
Let’s Talk Nature: Community Discussion
conversations inspired by short, engaging articles on conservation, climate, and ecology. The Febru- ary conversation will focus on the surprising role beavers play in the ecosystem, using the article “Bea- vers Are Dam Good for Biodiver- sity” published in Smithsonian magazine as a springboard for discussion.
Designed to be welcoming and easy to join, Let’s Talk Na- ture functions like a book group but is designed for easy drop-in participation. Each discussion stands on its own, so you can join
anytime. Articles are shared in advance, and no prior ex- pertise is needed.
Event details and a link to the article can be found at NewfoundLake.org/events.
“Beavers play a fasci- nating and often misun- derstood role in shaping ecosystems,” says Education
and Outreach Manager Mirka Zapletal. “This con- versation is an opportunity
to learn from one another, share perspectives, and explore how nature-based solutions can
support biodiversity.” Participants are encouraged
to bring their curiosity and an open mind. Warm drinks and cookies will be provided.
NLRA’s mission is to protect and improve the health of the Newfound Lake Watershed, supporting ecosystem resilience and nat- ural resource conservation through focused programs and community engagement. More information about the Newfound Lake Region As- sociation and its education
and outreach programs can be found at NewfoundLake.org.
HEBRON — The New- found Lake Region Association (NLRA) will host its annual State of the Lake presentation on Tuesday, February 10, at 5 p.m. at the Grey Rocks Conser- vation Center, 178 North Shore Rd, Hebron. The program will review Newfound Lake’s water quality and overall health after a year marked by severe drought and the discovery of the invasive spiny water flea—both of which could affect the lake into the fu- ture.
Paul Pellissier, NLRA’s Con- servation Program Manager, will share results from 2025 lake and tributary monitoring, explore how drought affects water qual- ity, and discuss the spiny water flea, a tiny invasive species that can disrupt the lake’s food chain and overall ecosystem. He will also highlight what the NLRA is doing to track the species and protect the lake moving forward.
“Early detection of the spiny water flea has given us a criti- cal opportunity,” says Pellissier. “We’ve been able to collect base- line data on lake ecology and can now track how this invasive spe- cies may affect Newfound Lake in the years ahead.”
NLRA conducts monitor- ing of the lake and its tributar- ies to identify trends and guide strategies that address negative impacts across the watershed. These monitoring techniques, along with new approaches, help
found Lake and its watershed. Through focused programs and community engagement, NLRA supports ecosystem resilience and natural resource conservation. Guided by a vision of a cleaner, clearer Newfound Lake, the or- ganization works to improve en-
vironmental health, expand land conservation, grow watershed stewardship, and strengthen community support. Learn more about employment, volunteer opportunities, and ways to get involved at NewfoundLake.org.
NLRA Presents “State Of The Lake”
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The Newfound Lake Region
Association’s mission is to protect and improve the health of New-
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