Protecting Clean Water, Naturally

Creating a Model of Cooperation

Sebago Lake and the surrounding forests form a remarkable natural water-cleaning system. Unfortunately, much of the forest draining to the lake is subject to ever-increasing pressure from development, making this one of the most vulnerable watersheds in the Northeast. In fact, only 17% of these forests are currently permanently conserved.

While most communities must rely on filtration plants as part of their water treatment to meet water security needs, it is better—and more cost-effective—to protect water at its source. That’s why, in 2017, The Nature Conservancy in Maine joined with partners to secure the future of these forests and the clean water on which so many depend. TNC teamed up with the Portland Water District, which supplies drinking water to over 200,000 people, local land trusts, and other environmental NGOs to form Sebago Clean Waters (SCW). SCW combines the resources, expertise and experience of its partners to increase the pace of forest conservation in the area that feeds water to Sebago Lake.

Tamara Lee, community program director for TNC in Maine and TNC's lead in this work, explains that building relationships and trust is critical for success.

“Mainers are so fortunate to have such an incredible resource in Sebago Lake,” explains Lee. “But it requires a significant effort to ensure that it remains that way. By forming this partnership, we knew we could accomplish much more working together than any of our organizations could achieve alone.” 

Realizing Successful Results

Today, SCW is led by Partnership Director Karen Young, who, with a small and dedicated staff, facilitates the collaborative, helps identify and manage conservation projects, garners public support and engages businesses and other funders through outreach efforts and events. SCW is one of twelve global TNC Resilient Watersheds flagship projects that demonstrate the efficacy of nature-based solutions to water security.

“This collaboration is working to sustain and enhance clean water and healthy forests in support of both human and ecological communities in the region,” says Young. “That includes promoting connection with, and access to the benefits of a forested watershed through publicly accessible trails and outdoor events.”

Understanding the importance of clean water to their products, local craft breweries have been early supporters of this innovative land and water conservation effort. Allagash Brewing Company was SCW’s first business partner, with a commitment to donate ten cents for every barrel of beer they brew. Other brewers and distillers joined in, as well as other businesses interested in supporting the well-being of the communities in which they operate.

In an early demonstration of success, a SCW partner, Loon Echo Land Trust, secured 1,400 acres for a community forest in the town of Sebago with help from the Trust for Public Land, the Portland Water District, The Nature Conservancy, Open Space Institute and others. This was the first project to capitalize on the strength of the SCW partnership to make it happen. But many were to follow.

Thanks to the efforts of the SCW partnership, 13,992 acres have been conserved in eight years since its inception—a jump of permanently conserved forests from 11.8% to 17%—demonstrating good progress toward SCW’s goal of 25% throughout the watershed. In the last year alone, SCW partners conserved 2,110 acres of high-priority natural lands within the watershed, including 5.1 miles of river and stream shoreline—among the most important for water quality protection. And the work goes far beyond just land protection. 

Quality Water and Healthy Communities

In 2020, SCW was awarded an $8 million Federal grant through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. This has allowed SCW partners to address needs beyond forest conservation that impact, not just water quality, but the well-being of communities that depend on it. These include culvert upgrades and dam removals to restore streamflow, improve fish passage and reduce flood impacts.

SCW is also providing training, education and forest management resources to watershed landowners to help them to more effectively steward their private forestlands. And, paired with other funding sources, the partnership is supporting locally-driven municipal open space planning, educating local school students and even providing sustainably harvested firewood for those in need of winter heating assistance.

“TNC's inspiration and support in so many different ways from our very beginnings have been foundational to accelerating our momentum and fostering our shared success,” says Young. “We are so grateful for all that each one of our partners have done to advance and support our collaborative work to sustain and enhance clean water and healthy forests in the Sebago Lake watershed for all the communities that rely on it.”

"Due to integral investments of time and resources by TNC and our partners," adds Lee, "SCW is innovating and finding opportunities to bring in new funding to leverage even larger investments in this critical watershed. This really serves as a model for other similar programs around the world through TNC’s Resilient Watersheds Network."

For those families splashing in the cool waters at the park on a summer day, Sebago is a recreational paradise. But for so many Mainers and businesses alike, it is also their drinking water source—and a remarkably pure one. TNC, working as an integral partner of Sebago Clean Waters, intends to keep it that way.

To learn more, visit sebagocleanwaters.org