Maintain the Chain (MTC), an annual volunteer event that features self-directed, environmentally-focused projects aimed at conserving and protecting the lakes and watersheds of the Fulton Chain of Lakes and Adirondack Park, will host its sixth annual cleanup July 1-Aug. 31. MTC was inspired by the Boon family’s yearly tradition of cleaning the lake bottom near their Fourth Lake camp.

Participants choose and plan their own projects to complete throughout the summer at their own pace. Over the years, projects have expanded to include creating rain gardens, planting native flowers and vegetation, measuring water clarity with Secchi discs (provided by MTC), learning how to protect the common loon, visiting Adirondack Watershed Institute stewards to understand how to prevent the spread of invasive species and picking up trash from trails, campsites, roadsides, lakefronts and lake bottoms.

The goal of MTC is to engage community members of all ages in meaningful environmental work that aligns with their abilities and interests.

Each participant receives a gift of appreciation for their efforts. This year, participants who complete a project and email photos to maintainthechain@gmail.com will receive an MTC beach towel. Participants who submit photos will also be entered into the running for the “Best Project” award and receive additional gifts of appreciation.

MTC will also host a free educational lecture series again this summer.

• Denise Silfee, director of education and communications at the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation, will give a lecture titled “Are Loons on Thin Ice with Climate Change?” (5-6 p.m. on July 9 at the Old Forge Library). 
• Ray Letterman, emeritus professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Syracuse University and a FCLA board member, will deliver a lecture titled “The Dams that Shaped the Fulton Chain of Lakes” (5-6 p.m. on July 30 at the Old Forge Library).

Visit the MTC website for more information.

Carin Gonsalves is the president of the MTC board of directors.