By Morgan Cross, Milfoil Control Coordinator
Growing up, the best days in school were always the days when I knew Lakes Environmental Association would be coming into the classroom. Starting at Sebago Elementary and continuing into freshman year at Lake Region High School, I always looked forward to LEA visits. It wasn’t just the field trips or the time spent outdoors; the learning felt different. It was hands-on, engaging, and completely different than a normal classroom lecture.
One of my favorite experiences was the trout release project in sixth grade. We raised trout from eggs into fry and released them into Stevens Brook. I remember bursting into the sixth-grade science classroom every morning to check on them. That project will always stick with me, and is just one example of the long-lasting impact LEA’s educational programs have.
Now, years later, I am proud to be a staff member at LEA. My interest in the Milfoil program began with hearing about it through LEA educators. It grew when I joined the crew in 2021. Since then, I have noticed a trend: many of the milfoil crew members, Courtesy Boat Inspectors, and water-testing interns are also people who have gone through LEA’s Educational program in school. In just the last five years, at least 13 divers have been LEA education program alumni. They all remember it fondly, and many of them are now pursuing careers in environmental science and protection.
The value of these programs should not be underestimated. As more people from each generation are interested in protecting the environment, early exposure matters. When LEA visits a classroom, it might be the first time a student connects with nature or engages in science in a meaningful way. For some students, it may even spark a lifelong passion. I’ve seen it firsthand, and I know I’m not the only one. This is why supporting LEA’s education outreach is so critical. What starts as a single day in a classroom can grow into a lifetime of environmental awareness.
