Inter-Agency Collaborations

 One important lesson we have learned from working in isolation, like most small organizations, is that we often struggle to “re-invent the wheel” when there are others engaged in similar work. HWPA decided that while it takes more effort to share ideas and communicate with other organizations, the benefits far outweigh the costs. Thus, we are intentionally making more time to invite others doing similar work to learn alongside of us and to also join in, where appropriate, with these other organizations. To do so, we are regularly in touch with other local lake associations, watershed experts, and statewide organizations (e.g., Lake Stewards of Maine, Maine Lakes, and Ecological Instincts) as well as governmental agencies like the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Oxford County Soil and Water Conservation District. We are also working to share our work and encourage financial support with a range of foundations like Norway Savings Bank Community Giving, Hannaford Foundation, Walmart Foundation, Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation, and New England Grassroots Foundation.