Celebrate Lakes Appreciation Month: 4 Ways to Make an Impact

Each July, Lakes Appreciation Month invites us to reconnect with one of our most valuable natural resources: our lakes. Since 1998, the North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) has led this initiative to raise awareness about the ecological, recreational, and community benefits lakes provide, while encouraging people to take an active role in protecting them. This year, we’re encouraging you to take your appreciation further by learning, participating, and making meaningful connections with your local lake. Here are four impactful ways to celebrate:

1. Discover Something New

No matter how well you know your local lake, there is always something new to discover. Visit at a different time of day, explore a new access point, or try an activity you’ve never done before, like birding, early morning paddling, or shoreline photography.

As you spend time on the water or along the shore, take note of the details. Look for changes in water clarity, plant growth, wildlife activity, and seasonal shifts. These small observations can deepen your appreciation and help you better understand how your lake functions. If something doesn’t look right, like signs of a harmful algal bloom, the presence of invasive aquatic species, or other water quality concerns, take note and share what you see. Reporting observations to your local lake association or through tools like the bloomWatch app can support monitoring efforts and help protect your lake.

2. Get Involved in Lake Science

Take your lake visit one step further by joining the annual Secchi Dip-In. This long-running citizen science effort invites volunteers across North America to measure water clarity using a simple Secchi disk. The data collected helps scientists and lake managers track water quality trends over time. Participation is simple and meaningful, and every reading contributes to a larger understanding of lake health.

If you are new to using a Secchi disk, watch our step-by-step instructional video to learn how to take accurate measurements:

3. Share Your Lake Story

Lakes bring people together and create lasting memories. This month, take the opportunity to share your connection to your favorite lake and inspire others to get involved. Join the NALMS #LakesAppreciation Challenge by posting photos or videos that capture your experience. Capture a quiet sunrise, a family outing, or a day spent volunteering and show others what makes your lake special.

Looking for more ways to tell your lake story? Try one of these ideas:

• Write a short lakeside reflection
• Create a photo series from your visit
• Record a reel
• Enter the NALMS student poster contest

When you share, be sure to include the lake name and the hashtag #LakesAppreciation to connect with the broader celebration.

4. Turn Appreciation into Action

You don’t need to make a big commitment to make a meaningful difference. Small, consistent actions can have a lasting impact on lake health over time. Here are a few simple ways to give back:

• Reduce fertilizer use to limit nutrient runoff
• Volunteer with local lake stewards or a watershed organization
• Participate in cleanups to remove trash and debris
• Learn about invasive species and how to prevent their spread

Communities across the country are working together to protect and restore their lakes. Your efforts, no matter how small, play an important role in that collective impact.

Lakes Appreciation Month is just the starting point. The actions you take now can help protect and improve your lake all year long. Keep exploring, stay engaged, and continue being a voice for the waters you value. For more ideas and resources, visit NALMS.org. To learn more about how Princeton Hydro supports lake management and restoration, click here to explore one of our projects.

• Company News
• Environmental Action
• Environmental Education
• Lake and Pond Management
• Lake Restoration