Conservation & Biodiversity

Delve into our series of topics on Conservation and Biodiversity in Maine’s lakes. Periodically, we will be posting additional topics on these pages. Planned additions include geographic distributions and relative abundance of aquatic plants and of invasive plant & animal species.

Find conservation areas around your lake

Select a lake and find out what conserved lands are in the vicinity.

What do we know about lakes in Maine’s conserved lands?

Find out what we know about water quality, flora and fauna in lakes in or near selected conservation areas.

Species Mapper

Explore geographic distributions of Maine’s freshwater flora and fauna.

Organizations working on Maine lakes

This page contains a list of organizations involved in stewardship, conservation, research & outreach on our lakes.

Heritage brook trout lakes

Maine supports the most extensive distribution and abundance of wild brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in their native range within the United States.

Photo by © Joseph Tomelleri.

Native minnows in Maine lakes

Minnows are a particularly interesting component of biodiversity in Maine lakes. Find out why!

Loon Count

For over 34 years, citizen scientists have helped collect invaluable data that has allowed Maine Audubon to chart the progress of the state’s loon population over time. Click the See More button below for interactive maps for Loon Count results on Maine's lakes from 1983 through today.

Photo by Bob Travis.

Maine’s freshwater mussels

3 of Maine’s 10 native freshwater mussel species are listed as Threatened. See where they are!