Lakes Congress

Lakes Congress is an annual daylong education, training, and networking event hosted by NH LAKES, designed to address the urgent challenges facing New Hampshire's lakes, including polluted runoff, invasive species, climate change, and development pressures. The event attracts a diverse group of attendees, including natural resource stewards, managers, business leaders, and municipal and political leaders, all seeking knowledge and skills to protect these vital natural resources.

This year marks a special dedication to the life and legacy of Jody N. Connor, a passionate advocate for lake preservation whose contributions to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services have laid the groundwork for ongoing lake protection efforts across the state. His legacy is honored through the ongoing work of volunteers and professionals committed to safeguarding New Hampshire's lakes and ponds.

The event features a variety of sessions led by notable speakers, including Kivi Leroux Miller, Founder and CSO of the Nonprofit Marketing Guide, who will present on engagement strategies for turning apathy into action. Other sessions include a policy update on lakes legislation by Andrea LaMoreaux, President and Policy Advocate for NH LAKES, and workshops on cyanobacteria and algal identification, aquatic invasive species management, and lake-friendly land use practices.

These workshops are facilitated by experts such as Ken Wagner from Water Resource Services, Inc., and several members from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, including Chief Aquatic Biologist Georgia Bunnell. Attendees will also learn about collaborative approaches to municipal code enforcement and the impacts of climate change on lakes, presented by Craig Williamson, Ph.

D. Furthermore, practical guides on becoming a 501(c)(3) for lake associations and effective salt management planning for lake protection will also be covered. The event is made possible by the generous support from various foundations and organizations, including The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and New Hampshire Environmental Educators. Lakes Congress serves as a vital platform for education, connection, and action, empowering individuals and groups to play an active role in the preservation of New Hampshire's treasured lakes.