7 Lakes Alliance

What 7 Lakes Alliance does

7 Lakes Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust formed in late December 2017 through the merger of the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance and the Maine Lakes Resource Center. The organization conserves the lands and waters of the Belgrade Lakes watershed in central Maine through an integrated portfolio of programs: Land Conservation & Stewardship (23 owned preserves and 23 conservation easements covering approximately 9,000 acres of forest/farmland, 2,000 acres of wetlands, and 18 miles of shoreline), Lake Science (year-round monitoring across all seven Belgrade Lakes in partnership with Colby College, including Secchi disk, temperature/oxygen profiling, chlorophyll sampling, FlowCam algal analysis, and eDNA-based invasive species detection), Invasive Aquatics management (Courtesy Boat Inspections, Adopt-A-Shoreline monitoring, certified SCUBA diver plant removal via DASH, benthic barriers, and ProcellaCOR herbicide treatments), Erosion Control (Maine's largest Youth Conservation Corps implementing best management practices across 100+ projects annually, supported by EPA Section 319 grants), LakeSmart (non-regulatory lakefront evaluations in partnership with Maine Lakes), a Trail System of approximately 20 miles of public trails, and Community Engagement programming including guided hikes, the Floating Classroom, and the inaugural Artist Residency.

The organization operates from a year-round visitor center at 137 Main St., Belgrade Lakes, employs approximately 20+ full-time staff and nearly 100 seasonal workers across six programs, and is accredited by the Land Trust Alliance. Scientific capability is anchored in a long-standing partnership with Colby College dating to 2010, which provides laboratory access, faculty expertise across biology, chemistry, geology, and environmental studies, and student researchers. The leadership team, led by President & CEO Dr. Christopher Monz and Board Chair Jane Eberle, includes a Lake Science Director (Dr. Danielle Wain), Lake Scientist, Land Conservation Director, Invasive Aquatics Director and Coordinator, Erosion Control Policy Manager and Project Manager, Development Director and Associate, Finance Director, Stewardship Coordinator, Community Engagement Coordinator, and Advancement & Communication Manager.

Revenue is generated entirely from philanthropy and grants: individual donations, a Leadership Circle ($1,000+/year tier), securities and Donor Advised Fund gifts, land and conservation easement donations, corporate matching gifts, foundation grants, and government funding including EPA Clean Water Act Section 319 grants ($1.38M received since 2018, generating $3.5M+ in projects) and the Maine for Land's Future program. The L.L.Bean Maine Land Trust Grant Program has supported public access initiatives including free canoe and kayak rentals. No revenue is earned from product or service sales; all programs and educational offerings are free to the public.

Name

7 Lakes Alliance

Legal name

7 Lakes Alliance

Website

https://7lakesalliance.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

7 Lakes Alliance is a nonprofit land trust that conserves lands and waters across the seven-lake Belgrade Lakes watershed in central Maine through land protection, lake science monitoring, invasive species management, erosion control, and community education programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

Keywords

• Land conservation services
• Watershed protection
• Invasive species management
• Water quality monitoring
• Erosion control services

Headquarters

HQ city

Belgrade Lakes

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations and Memberships: Leadership Circle members contribute $1,000+ annually ($250/quarter or $84/month), one-time gifts, monthly/quarterly giving programs, and legacy/planned giving through bequests, charitable trusts, annuities, and life insurance beneficiary designations.
2. Land Donations and Conservation Easements: Accepts gifts of land or easements through outright donations, bequests, or charitable lead/remainder trusts. Provides tax benefits including estate, income, and property tax relief for donors.
3. Securities and DAF Gifts: Accepts gifts of securities (stocks, bonds, mutual fund shares) and Donor Advised Fund contributions. Securities transferred through LPL Financial brokerage account.
4. Government and Foundation Grants: Federal grants including EPA Clean Water Act Section 319 funding ($1.38M received since 2018, generating $3.5M+ in projects), State of Maine for Land's Future program, and various environmental foundation support.
5. Corporate Matching Gifts: Employer matching gift programs where businesses match employee donations to the organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

7 Lakes Alliance is a nonprofit land and water conservation organization that protects the Belgrade Lakes watershed in central Maine through land conservation, lake science monitoring, invasive aquatic species management, erosion control, and community education. It permanently conserves forest, farmland, and wetland acreage via ownership and conservation easements, conducts year-round water quality testing on seven lakes in partnership with Colby College, and runs Maine's largest Youth Conservation Corps to install erosion control best management practices.

Product overview

7 Lakes Alliance is a land and water conservation nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected environmental programs rather than a traditional product platform. The core offerings include Land Conservation & Stewardship, Lake Science (water quality monitoring), Invasive Aquatics Program (prevention and remediation), Erosion Control, LakeSmart Program, Trail System, Community Engagement, and Youth Conservation Corps. These programs work collaboratively through the Belgrade Lakes watershed to achieve clean water, well-stewarded lands, and a vibrant economy. Newer initiatives include the 7 Lakes Alliance Artist Residency launched in 2025.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LakeSmart Program: A state-wide education and outreach program that promotes managing lakefront properties in a water quality friendly manner, partnered with Maine Lakes as a regional hub.
• Youth Conservation Corps (YCC)
• 7 Lakes Alliance Artist Residency
• Floating Classroom

Products and services

• Land Conservation & Stewardship Permanently conserves lands within the Belgrade Lakes watershed through purchase or conservation easement, safeguarding water quality, wildlife habitat, and outdoor recreation.
• Lake Science Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 89% decrease in curly-leaf pondweed biomass in East Pond's Serpentine through manual removal
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Colby CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor scientific research partnership since 2010. Colby provides environmental science research laboratory, field station, conference space, and teaching resources. Multidisciplinary faculty from Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Economics, and Environmental Studies departments work with 7 Lakes on watershed research. Students conduct year-round monitoring and summer research projects. Dr. Whitney King's chemistry research group develops analytical instruments used internationally.
• Maine LakescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide nonprofit (founded 1970) dedicated to Maine lake protection through science, education, and policy. Partners on LakeSmart program as regional hub. Supports lake associations with capacity building, workshops, and advocacy. Works with Maine DEP on volunteer programs.
• Maine Department of Environmental Protection (Maine DEP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegulatory partner for invasive species management, herbicide applications, and Clean Water Act Section 319 grant administration. Authorizes invasive plant control permits and oversees statewide CBI program dashboard.
• Land Trust AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational land trust accreditation body. 7 Lakes Alliance is nationally accredited, meeting Land Trust Standards and Practices. Provides guidelines, training, and recognition for land conservation organizations.
• Lake Associations (Belgrade Lakes Association, North Pond Association, East Pond Association, Friends of Messalonskee, McGrath Pond-Salmon Lake Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFive local lake associations work collaboratively with 7 Lakes on conservation. Monthly Lake Trust meetings bring together volunteer leaders and staff to share ideas and tackle problems. Associations provide funding for CBI program, volunteer support, and advocacy.
• Kennebec County Soil & Water Conservation DistrictsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides Road Management Plans for erosion control assessment and technical advice. Partners on Gravel Road Workshops and erosion control projects throughout the watershed.
• Maine Geospatial InstitutesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for septic system modeling project examining nutrient loading from septic systems in the watershed. Includes internship program with Alex Debo presenting project findings.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Maine Lakes: Statewide nonprofit (founded 1970) dedicated to protecting Maine lakes through science, education, and policy. 7 Lakes is a regional hub for the shared LakeSmart program, making it the most direct operational and programmatic peer.
• Kennebec County Soil & Water Conservation District: Local government partner on erosion control, road management plans, and gravel road workshops within the Belgrade Lakes watershed. Shares program scope (erosion control, BMPs, watershed planning) and is a co-implementer of EPA Section 319 projects.
• Belgrade Lakes Association: Largest of the five local lake associations that sit on 7 Lakes' Lake Trust. Funds the Courtesy Boat Inspection program and collaborates on water quality and invasive species work; the most direct community-level peer in the same watershed.

Regional players

• Georges River Land Trust: Maine-based Land Trust Alliance-accredited land trust operating in the Georges River watershed. Highly comparable operating model (preserves, easements, trails, community events) in a different mid-coast Maine geography.
• 30 Mile River Watershed Association: Adjacent Maine watershed association (Board Chair Bill Swan also sits on 7 Lakes' board). Highly comparable model: lake/river protection, water quality monitoring, invasive species prevention, and landowner outreach, but in a different (Mt. Vernon/Vienna) watershed.

Broad incumbents

• Maine Coast Heritage Trust: Maine's largest statewide land trust, also Land Trust Alliance accredited. Operates a similar preserve + easement model at much greater scale and across coastal/marine as well as inland habitats, making it a broader incumbent peer.
• Trust for Public Land - Maine: National land conservation organization that supports local land trusts and public land acquisitions. Comparable in land protection mission and access to public funding, but operates as a much larger intermediary and funder rather than a direct service provider.
• The Nature Conservancy - Maine Chapter: Global conservation organization with active Maine operations, including forest, freshwater, and climate work. Operates the same conservation-easement-and-preserve model at vastly greater scale; competes for the same federal, state, and philanthropic funding.

Others

• Maine Department of Environmental Protection (Maine DEP): State regulatory authority that administers EPA Section 319 grants, permits herbicide treatments, and approves watershed-based plans (e.g., North Pond plan). Functions as a regulator and grant-maker that 7 Lakes both partners with and is regulated by.

Emerging players

• Northern Forest Canoe Trail: Maine-based nonprofit that maintains a 740-mile water trail across New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Shares mission focus on freshwater recreation and conservation; Noah Pollock (7 Lakes Land Conservation Director) also serves as its Stewardship Director, evidencing direct overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/7lakesalliance2
• Xx.com/7lakesalliance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/7-lakes-alliance

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles31 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 7 Lakes Alliance