Wayland’s Dudley Pond Association Ramps Up Efforts to Protect Pond
Establishes committees, publishes pond-health tips, announces fall road race and elects officers
WAYLAND—Dudley Pond, one of Wayland’s jewels, faces constant threat from invasive weeds, and algal blooms, with inflows of phosphorus a major cause of these problems. In response, the Dudley Pond Association is redoubling its efforts to keep the pond healthy and clean.
The DPA’s newly formed Healthy Dudley Pond Committee, approved at the association’s spring meeting, works to protect the pond through responsible ecological management, including managing weeds, monitoring pond health, educational outreach, and collaborating with the Town of Wayland’s various departments and committees.
The new Communications Committee is ramping up efforts to ensure that DPA members and watershed residents stay informed about everything from pond health to local events. It does media outreach, manages the web and social media presence, and produces the DPA newsletter.
Help keep Dudley Pond healthy—new tips
The Healthy Dudley Pond Committee says:
Keep leaves and yard waste out of the pond. Leaves don’t disappear in water: they turn into fertilizer. Decomposing leaves and clippings feed algae and invasive weeds and add to the sludge on the pond bottom. Algae cloud the water and reduce oxygen.
If it didn’t grow in the pond, keep it out of the pond!
Don’t use lawn fertilizers that have phosphates. Phosphorus is the leading cause of algae blooms in clean ponds. Even small amounts trigger algae growth. Blooms reduce clarity and can create odors.
Apply phosphate-free fertilizers sparingly—never before rain.
Remove biomass when possible. Leaves, algae, and aquatic weeds are biomass that store nutrients. Removing biomass removes nutrients, resulting in less weed growth, better water quality, and a healthier ecosystem. Shoreline cleanups and weed removal efforts make a real difference.
Volunteer for the Pain in the Grass Committee. It’s gearing up for another season of removing floating weed debris from areas that the harvester and abutters can't reach. Member Becky Leonard will make several "weed wrangling" trips on her boat when the weed harvester is operating, most likely from late July to early September.
More volunteers are needed. To be added to the roster, email [email protected].
Dudley Pond Fun Run date set
The 28th annual Dudley Pond Fun Run for adults and kids, sponsored by the Dudley Pond Association, will be held Sunday, October 4, the board announced. Proceeds benefit the preservation of this beautiful public watershed.
There are four events for all ages and abilities: a 5-kilometer race sanctioned by USA Track & Field (USATF), a 2-mile competitive walk, fun runs for kids from 1 to 10 years old, and a non-competitive fitness walk.
The run is one of Wayland’s oldest and best-attended charity events. Online registration will be available in the summer.
Officers and board members elected
The DPA reelected president Lafe LaClaire, vice president Tim Dreher, treasurer Geoff Gardner, secretary Lisa Jacobs, and board members-at-large Melissa Darling, Naomi Deutscher, Ann Drouilhet, Margo Melnicove and Michelle Mizner. Newly elected members-at-large are Ralph Pahlmeyer and Dan Gray.
The Dudley Pond Association (www.dudleypond.org) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in Wayland. Founded in 1968, the DPA consists of an active group of neighbors and friends interested in keeping the pond a clean, healthy resource to be proud of. Contributions are tax-deductible.
Dudley Pond is a Massachusetts Great Pond. These water bodies of at least 10 acres are held in trust by the Commonwealth for public use.
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News Media contact only
Henry Stimpson | [email protected]
Establishes committees, publishes pond-health tips, announces fall road race and elects officers
WAYLAND—Dudley Pond, one of Wayland’s jewels, faces constant threat from invasive weeds, and algal blooms, with inflows of phosphorus a major cause of these problems. In response, the Dudley Pond Association is redoubling its efforts to keep the pond healthy and clean.
The DPA’s newly formed Healthy Dudley Pond Committee, approved at the association’s spring meeting, works to protect the pond through responsible ecological management, including managing weeds, monitoring pond health, educational outreach, and collaborating with the Town of Wayland’s various departments and committees.
The new Communications Committee is ramping up efforts to ensure that DPA members and watershed residents stay informed about everything from pond health to local events. It does media outreach, manages the web and social media presence, and produces the DPA newsletter.
Help keep Dudley Pond healthy—new tips
The Healthy Dudley Pond Committee says:
Keep leaves and yard waste out of the pond. Leaves don’t disappear in water: they turn into fertilizer. Decomposing leaves and clippings feed algae and invasive weeds and add to the sludge on the pond bottom. Algae cloud the water and reduce oxygen.
If it didn’t grow in the pond, keep it out of the pond!
Don’t use lawn fertilizers that have phosphates. Phosphorus is the leading cause of algae blooms in clean ponds. Even small amounts trigger algae growth. Blooms reduce clarity and can create odors.
Apply phosphate-free fertilizers sparingly—never before rain.
Remove biomass when possible. Leaves, algae, and aquatic weeds are biomass that store nutrients. Removing biomass removes nutrients, resulting in less weed growth, better water quality, and a healthier ecosystem. Shoreline cleanups and weed removal efforts make a real difference.
Volunteer for the Pain in the Grass Committee. It’s gearing up for another season of removing floating weed debris from areas that the harvester and abutters can't reach. Member Becky Leonard will make several "weed wrangling" trips on her boat when the weed harvester is operating, most likely from late July to early September.
More volunteers are needed. To be added to the roster, email [email protected].
Dudley Pond Fun Run date set
The 28th annual Dudley Pond Fun Run for adults and kids, sponsored by the Dudley Pond Association, will be held Sunday, October 4, the board announced. Proceeds benefit the preservation of this beautiful public watershed.
There are four events for all ages and abilities: a 5-kilometer race sanctioned by USA Track & Field (USATF), a 2-mile competitive walk, fun runs for kids from 1 to 10 years old, and a non-competitive fitness walk.
The run is one of Wayland’s oldest and best-attended charity events. Online registration will be available in the summer.
Officers and board members elected
The DPA reelected president Lafe LaClaire, vice president Tim Dreher, treasurer Geoff Gardner, secretary Lisa Jacobs, and board members-at-large Melissa Darling, Naomi Deutscher, Ann Drouilhet, Margo Melnicove and Michelle Mizner. Newly elected members-at-large are Ralph Pahlmeyer and Dan Gray.
The Dudley Pond Association (www.dudleypond.org) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in Wayland. Founded in 1968, the DPA consists of an active group of neighbors and friends interested in keeping the pond a clean, healthy resource to be proud of. Contributions are tax-deductible.
Dudley Pond is a Massachusetts Great Pond. These water bodies of at least 10 acres are held in trust by the Commonwealth for public use.
---
News Media contact only
Henry Stimpson | [email protected]