It's All Good

Spring comes to Saint Albans Bay.

The challenge of improving the health of Lake Champlain can feel daunting. It requires a complex multilayered approach, with many players and leaders working together to chart a course for action and engage as many people as possible in the process.  

Over the past year and a half with the Friends, I’ve noticed a common response during meetings and discussions with individuals, landowners, and municipalities. When I share about the work we’re doing—whether it’s water sampling, restoration projects, or education initiatives—I often hear something to the effect of: “That’s nice, but what about…?” This reaction redirects attention elsewhere. While many of these concerns are valid, they can also detract from the opportunities at hand—the actions we can take right now as part of a larger strategy for lasting impact. 

Admittedly, some of these opportunities may seem small: a rain garden in a public park, a shoreline assessment, or a stream cleanup. Additionally, the Friends focus on non-regulatory, voluntary actions—decisions people make not because they must, but because they believe in protecting our waterways. We’ve chosen this approach to build trust, provide support, and offer knowledge, services, and funding without enforcement or oversight. Our intention and our goal is to empower people to act because they recognize the value of a healthy Lake Champlain. 

When it comes right down to it, it’s all good. And it’s the all we’re focused on. Collective action—especially voluntary individual efforts—is essential for improving water quality in Lake Champlain. Water pollution is a shared problem that demands widespread strategic participation.

Here’s why: 

• Diffuse Sources of Pollution – Much of the pollution in Lake Champlain comes from nonpoint sources like agricultural runoff, stormwater, and septic system leaks. Unlike a single polluter that can be regulated, addressing these widespread issues requires many individuals and organizations to take action.
  

• Cumulative Impact – Small actions, such as planting native vegetation along shorelines, reducing fertilizer use, or installing rain gardens, may seem minor on their own. However, when many people contribute, the cumulative effect can significantly reduce nutrient runoff and improve water quality.
  

• Community Stewardship – When individuals participate voluntarily, they develop a deeper connection to the lake and a sense of ownership over its well-being. This fosters long-term stewardship and encourages sustainable behaviors that support water quality over time.  

• Policy Support and Advocacy – Grassroots engagement can influence local and state policies, pushing for stronger regulations, increased funding for conservation projects, and better enforcement of existing laws. Policymakers are more likely to act when they see widespread community involvement.  

• Cost-Effectiveness – Government agencies and non-profits often operate with limited funding. Volunteer efforts, citizen science projects, and community-driven restoration initiatives extend the reach of these organizations, allowing more work to be done with fewer resources—especially crucial as federal funding for water quality remains uncertain.  

• Education and Cultural Shift – When people actively engage in water quality initiatives, they become ambassadors for change, educating others and fostering a culture where clean water is valued and protected. 

This work is at the heart of our mission. The Friends may be a small organization, but we are deeply connected to the communities we serve, bringing together many pieces of the puzzle to foster real change. We invite you to consider what you can do—both personally and within your community—to contribute to a healthier Lake Champlain.