The main goal of the ELPA is to maintain Echo Lake free from invasive species, and to not only maintain water quality, but enhance it.To that end there are a number of activities the association undertakes to achieve the goals: Access Greeter Program, Aquatic Plant Survey, Water Quality Control, Lake Wise, and Blue Lake Buffers.
There are also several social events throughout the year.
The 2023 Echo Lake Color Challenge is Back!
Join us for the 2023 annual Echo Lake Color Challenge on Sunday, July 2nd at 10:00 a.m. Walkers and runners will once again travel a 5K loop alongside beautiful Echo Lake. Participants will be showered with colored powder at five color stations throughout the course. This is a family fun event that is open to people of all ages and all abilities. All money goes to support Echo Lake Protective Association 501(c)(3).
Event details and schedule
We are keeping the non-refundable registration fees the same as in previous years for people who pre-register for the event. Once again, we will provide sunglasses, white t-shirts, post-race snacks, and raffle prizes. The individual registration fee is $15 per person; the day of event registration is $20. Or you can form a “team” of four friends, family, or neighbors. The team registration fee is $50 per team of four people; on the day of the event team registration is $60. The couple’s registration fee is $30; the day of event registration is $40.
See you at the Color Challenge!
• Register Online
OR
• Fill in / Download and Mail
(The button below takes you to active.com where you can register online)
Register By Form and Mail Below
Introducing Echo Lake Protection Association Merchandise!
The ELPA merchandising team has a few new items to add to our selection of Echo Lake apparel and other goodies. The proceeds of each sale go into the Contingency Fund for future needs in keeping the health of our pristine Echo Lake. We offer all the same items as last year and add sweatshirts, long-sleeved t-shirts, and a larger cap size! The Sweatshirts will be printed, and the caps can be embroidered or printed with Echo Lake. We also have an Echo Lake refrigerator magnet for sale.
The following deadlines for ordering ELPA merchandise in 2024 are:
June 15, July 15, Aug 15
With delivery of items roughly 2 weeks later, in time for events.
(July 4), (Aug 10 picnic), (Labor Day)
If you have questions or need help placing your order, please call or text Dawn Bechtold at
603-991-8034 or email Dawn Bechtold at dmbechtold@gmail.com or
Ann Hunsicker ahunsicker17@gmail.com
Tote $28.00
Product Spec Sheet:
https://www.apparelvideos.com/specsheets/B400_specsheet_10202014.pdf
- Dimensions: 14.5”h x 14”w x 5.5”d; Approx.
1,116 cubic inches
Cap $25.00
Product Spec Sheet:
https://www.apparelvideos.com/cs/CatalogBrowser?todo=ss&productId=PWU
Wide Brim Hat $32.00
Product Spec Sheet:
https://www.apparelvideos.com/cs/CatalogBrowser?todo=ss&productId=C920
Sizes: S/M, L/XL
Polo/Men’s $38.00
Product Spec Sheet:
https://www.apparelvideos.com/cs/CatalogBrowser?todo=ss&productId=ST650
Sizes: XS S M L XL 2XL 3XL 4XL 5XL 6XL
Sport-Tek® Ladies Micropique Sport-Wick® Polo $38.00
Product Spec Sheet:
https://www.apparelvideos.com/cs/CatalogBrowser?todo=ss&productId=LST650
Sizes: XS S M L XL XXL 3XL 4XL
Jacket Men’s $58.00
Product Spec Sheet:
https://www.apparelvideos.com/cs/CatalogBrowser?todo=ss&productId=EB224
Sizes: XS S M L XL 2XL 3XL 4XL
Microfleece Jacket Women’s $58.00
Product Spec Sheet:
https://www.apparelvideos.com/cs/CatalogBrowser?todo=ss&productId=EB225
Sizes: XS S M L XL 3XL 4XL 2XL
Fleece Vest/Men’s $40.00
Product Spec Sheet:
https://www.apparelvideos.com/cs/CatalogBrowser?todo=ss&productId=F219
Sizes: XS S M L XL 2XL 3XL 4XL 5XL 6XL
Fleece Vest/Women’s $40.00
Product Spec Sheet:
https://www.apparelvideos.com/cs/CatalogBrowser?todo=ss&productId=L219
Sizes: XS S M L XL XXL 3XL 4XL
T-shirt Adult $22.00
Product Spec Sheet:
https://www.apparelvideos.com/cs/CatalogBrowser?todo=ss&productId=5250
Sizes: XS S M L XL 2XL 3XL 4XL 5XL
T-shirt Youth $20.00
Product Spec Sheet:
https://www.apparelvideos.com/cs/CatalogBrowser?todo=ss&productId=5450
Sizes: XS S M L XL
If you have questions or need help placing your order, please call or text Dawn Bechtold at
603-991-8034 or email Dawn Bechtold at dmbechtold@gmail.com or
Ann Hunsicker ahunsicker17@gmail.com
Logo wear with a monogram for $2.00
Let us know the monogram you would like on your item!
In 2016, an anonymous member of ELPA has made a generous $1250 donation to sponsor an educational program to foster appreciation for our natural resources. Fourth and fifth grade students from Charleston Elementary School Students participated in a hands-on ecological program run by Siskin Ecological Adventure during the 2016-2017 school year. Siskin Ecological Adventures is a division of the Coutts-Moriarty Camp, a small non-profit educational institute dedicated to educating, challenging and inspiring participants of all ages.
During the project, students were given the opportunity to learn, explore, and make real life connections with the Echo Lake Ecosystem. Siskin instructors made three 1-hour classroom visits at the school and conducted full-day field trips in the fall, winter and spring. Students learned about plants and animals living in and around the lake, the good and bad effects of native and non-native species on the lake, and the health of the ecosystem and how citizens can help. Students used microscopes to examine the natural organisms in Echo Lake’s water. They learned about R-selected and K-selected species, about how crayfish help keep the water clean, about Eurasian water milfoil, and more.
Classroom visits built the scientific language necessary to utilize outdoor investigations to instill a deep appreciation of both the ecological and economic importance of Echo Lake. Familiarity with college level “Nerd Words“ — such as “oligotrophic,” “poikilothermic,” “benthic macro invertebrate,” “zone of hypoxia,” and “biomagnification — fostered an increased sense of academic self-confidence among students.
On Tuesday, September 26th, 5th and 6th graders from Charleston Elementary School visited Echo Lake to celebrate the conclusion of the hands-on ecological program.
This fall’s culminating field trip was devoted to enjoying the lake. Students and instructors launched a flotilla of kayaks and canoes from Jean and Bob Wilson’s shore land property at the north end of the lake and paddled to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Access. They were then bussed to the east side of the lake, where they wrapped up their visit by participating in a “learning chain” (see Kayla’s letter below) and hiking the beautiful shore trail of the Lydia Spitzer Demonstration Forest held by the Vermont Land Trust and managed by the NorthWoods Stewardship Center. The NorthWoods Stewardship Center is a non-profit educational, research and conservation service organization, whose mission is to connect people and place through science, education and action.
Coupled with hands-on investigations, science inspired art, and seasonal trips to Echo Lake itself, the project has instilled a deeper understanding and appreciation of the role Echo Lake plays in Clyde river water system and in the Charleston community.
In Their Own Words
To see what these student stewards have experienced in their own words click the student names below to see their personal letters describing their experience and what they learned. They learned from us — we can all learn from them. Let the learning chain continue.