The Ken Bailey Memorial Watershed Steward Fund
Each summer, Megunticook Watershed gives a college/university student or recent graduate the opportunity to work as the Ken Bailey Memorial Watershed Steward for a summer.
About Ken Bailey and the Memorial Watershed Steward Fund
Ken was the heart and soul of the Megunticook Watershed from his early days as a Master Maine Guide to his 28 years at the Megunticook Watershed Association, first as Lake Warden and then in 2004 as Executive Director/Lake Warden, a position he served until his death in 2012. Additionally, he was a volunteer water quality monitor for 27 years on the lake and pond. As a skilled and avid outdoorsman, he brought his knowledge, wit, and humor to countless readers through his “In the Field” columns and was an active member of the Maine Fish and Wildlife Advisory Council. Not only was he hugely engaged in the communities where he lived and worked, he was also entirely committed to the health and well-being of our watershed - a place where he spent countless hours and where his spirit is still ever present.
At his passing, Ken’s wife and children established a memorial scholarship fund to keep his memory alive by supporting young stewards who come to work in the watershed each summer. By having such a stellar example of stewardship set by Ken, it is wholly appropriate that this fund supports students engaging in meaningful fieldwork that strengthens and preserves the lake and ponds that Ken so lovingly cared for throughout his life.
About the Watershed Steward Position
Each year Megunticook Watershed Association hosts a summer watershed steward to assist with water quality, invasive plant surveying, and other projects on the lake, ponds, and river within the watershed. This is paid fieldwork position collecting data that is shared with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and logged year over year to assess trends and any developing concerns within the watershed.
PROJECTS
The projects take place between May and September, approximately 10 hours/week. Projects include:
Conductivity, clarity, and dissolved oxygen testing in the three deep holes of
Megunticook and Norton PondData collection from seven water quality loggers along the Megunticook River
Phosphorous and Chlorophyll A sampling in the lake and ponds
Bacteria testing in the prime swimming locations throughout the watershed
Invasive plant surveying in the lake and Norton pond
Assisting other lake/pond associations with water quality testing (Pitcher Pond and Coleman Pond)
Participation in the LakeSmart/Watershed Wise evaluations
Presentations to the membership and board at events
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be formally enrolled in college, university, or technical school or a recent graduate.
Student’s field of study must be, or have been, environmental science, ecology, natural science, wildlife biology, limnology, or an adjacent field.
Applicants must have a current driver’s license and have reliable transportation.
Housing is not provided so applicants must have a place to live in midcoast Maine.
In-person and remote options
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