30 Mile River Watershed Association

What 30 Mile River Watershed Association does

30 Mile River Watershed Association is a Maine-based 501c3 nonprofit founded in 2008 that operates as a public-private coalition of seven rural towns (Fayette, Chesterville, Leeds, Mount Vernon, Readfield, Vienna, Wayne), nine lake associations, and two land trusts (7 Lakes Alliance, Kennebec Land Trust). Its mission is to preserve, improve, and protect land and water quality across the 30 Mile River Watershed in Central Maine, addressing threats from development, stormwater runoff, and aquatic invasive species. The organization delivers its work through a portfolio of interconnected programs: bi-weekly water quality monitoring (secchi disk, dissolved oxygen, phosphorus, chlorophyll-a, advanced chemistry) on 13 lakes and ponds from May to October with data submitted to Maine DEP; an Aquatic Invasive Species program combining Courtesy Boat Inspections (3,801 inspections in 2024), Invasive Plant Patrol surveys (90+ volunteers in 2023), and active chemical remediation (ProcellaCOR EC for milfoil on Androscoggin Lake, first-year treatment of swollen bladderwort on Tilton Pond); LakeSmart property assessments; Watershed Surveys; a Youth Conservation Corps installation crew; advocacy through the Lake Protection Coalition; and community engagement events including the annual Paddle Trek and Photo Contest.

The underlying technology is fundamentally scientific rather than digital: field instrumentation (secchi disks, DO/temperature meters, Kemmerer water samplers, core tubes, viewscopes) combined with lab chemistry (pH, alkalinity, true color, conductivity). Distribution is community-led — direct engagement through lake association meetings, municipal coordination, volunteer networks (49 Courtesy Boat Inspectors, 32-90+ volunteers in monitoring/patrol roles), a 1,650-subscriber monthly newsletter with 61% open rate, and Facebook/Instagram channels. Programs are delivered free to the community.

The revenue model is philanthropic. Annual donations from individuals and businesses have tracked $148,645 (2021), $148,550 (2022), and $156,869 (2023). Foundation and government grants from Davis Conservation Foundation, Fidelity Charitable, Maine Community Foundation, Maine DEP, Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund, Onion Foundation, and EPA Section 319(h) provide project-restricted funding ($32,892 noted for 2026). The Save Androscoggin Campaign with ALIC raised $92,000 (2022) and $164,135 (2023), and event registration (Paddle Trek adults $35, teens $20) plus a Shopify merchandise store contribute marginal incremental revenue. The organization is not a commercial entity and reports no revenue figure or traditional P&L.

Name

30 Mile River Watershed Association

Legal name

30 Mile River Watershed Association

Website

https://30mileriver.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

30 Mile River Watershed Association is a 501c3 nonprofit coalition of 7 towns, 9 lake associations, and 2 land trusts in Central Maine, delivering water quality monitoring, aquatic invasive species management, and watershed protection programs to its member communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Watershed Protection Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE), Water Resources Administration (Watersheds, Rivers, Groundwater) (BPAIAMAE)

Keywords

• Watershed protection services
• Lake conservation programs
• Water quality monitoring
• Aquatic invasive species management
• Environmental nonprofit services

Headquarters

HQ city

Mount Vernon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Individual and Business Donations: Annual fund donations from individuals and businesses. Raised $148,645 in 2021, $148,550 in 2022, $156,869 in 2023 from individuals and businesses. Supported across 15 lakes and ponds.
2. Foundation and Government Grants: Grants from Davis Conservation Foundation, Fidelity Charitable, Maine Community Foundation, Maine DEP, Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund, Onion Foundation. Grant income of $32,892 was restricted for projects in 2026. Clean Water Act Section 319(h) funding through Maine DEP and EPA.
3. Event Registration and Merchandise: Paddle Trek event registration fees (Adults $35, Teens $20, Children free) and an online merchandise store (Shopify).
4. Save Androscoggin Campaign: Coordinated fundraising campaign with Androscoggin Lake Improvement Corporation (ALIC). Raised $92,000 in 2022 and $164,135 in 2023, exceeding the $150,000 goal.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

30 Mile River Watershed Association is a nonprofit 501c3 organization that delivers watershed protection services across 13 lakes and ponds in Central Maine through scientific water quality monitoring, aquatic invasive species prevention and remediation, landowner property assessments (LakeSmart), erosion surveys, best management practices installation via a youth crew, and lake-protection advocacy. It operates as a public-private coalition of seven towns, nine lake associations, and two land trusts, supplementing programs with community events and a merchandise store.

Product overview

The 30 Mile River Watershed Association operates as a nonprofit environmental organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs focused on lake and watershed protection. The core offerings include: Water Quality Monitoring (scientific data collection on lake health), the Aquatic Invasive Species Program (with prevention via Courtesy Boat Inspection, early detection via Invasive Plant Patrol, and active management/remediation), LakeSmart property assessments, Watershed Surveys, and the Youth Conservation Corps installation program. Supporting programs include community engagement through educational workshops, the annual Paddle Trek recreational event, Annual Photo Contest, and Lake Protection Advocacy. The organization also operates a Shopify-based online store (4d82a2.myshopify.com) for merchandise sales to support operations. This is a unified set of environmental programs, not a technology product or SaaS platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Water Quality Monitoring Program Bi-weekly scientific monitoring of 13 lakes and ponds from May to October, measuring water clarity (Secchi disk), temperature profiles, dissolved oxygen, phosphorus, chlorophyll-a, and advanced chemistry parameters (pH, alkalinity, true color, conductivity). Data is submitted to Maine DEP for statewide trend analysis.
• Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Program
• Courtesy Boat Inspection (CBI)
• Invasive Plant Patrol (IPP)
• LakeSmart Program
• Watershed Surveys
• Youth Conservation Corps (YCC)
• Lake Protection Advocacy
• Annual Paddle Trek Event
• Annual Photo Contest

Quantifiable outcome

• Water quality monitoring across 13 lakes and ponds on a bi-weekly basis from May to October
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Lake Stewards of MainecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for volunteer water quality monitoring certification and Invasive Plant Patrol training. Lake Stewards of Maine provides online training modules and certifications that 30 Mile volunteers use to become certified monitors and invasive plant patrollers.
• Lake Protection CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founded by 30 Mile in 2023. A collection of organizations united to advance innovative, effective, science-based policy change including long-term funding for sustaining healthy lakes in Maine. Partners include individuals, businesses, and lake organizations.
• Androscoggin Lake Improvement Corporation (ALIC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing lake association partner for Androscoggin Lake. ALIC and 30 Mile co-manage the invasive milfoil infestation and algal bloom response on Androscoggin Lake. Joint 'Save Androscoggin' campaign raised $164,135 (2022-23) and $92,000 (2022).
• Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MEDEP)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner30 Mile staff are trained by Maine DEP and submit water quality data to the statewide catalog. MEDEP and 30 Mile co-manage the invasive milfoil treatment using ProcellaCOR EC herbicide on Androscoggin Lake. 30 Mile participates in MEDEP's Nonpoint Source Training Center programs.
• Maine LakescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner30 Mile is a regional LakeSmart 'HUB' support center in partnership with Maine Lakes, which oversees the statewide LakeSmart education and reward program. Maine Lakes also provides legislative alerts and advocacy resources for 30 Mile's advocacy work.
• 7 Lakes AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of two land trust/conservation organization coalition members. Works with 30 Mile on land conservation and watershed protection within the 30 Mile River Watershed.
• Kennebec Land TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of two land trust/conservation organization coalition members. Collaborates with 30 Mile on land conservation and watershed protection initiatives within the watershed.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Lake Stewards of Maine: Statewide nonprofit providing volunteer water quality monitoring certification and Invasive Plant Patrol training that 30 Mile's volunteers use. Closely aligned in mission and operating model — statewide scope vs. 30 Mile's watershed focus.
• Housatonic Valley Association: Nonprofit watershed-based conservation organization focused on river and lake protection through water quality monitoring, land conservation, and community engagement. Comparable in nonprofit model and watershed-scale programming.
• Cobbossee Watershed District: Nonprofit watershed protection organization covering Cobbossee Stream and surrounding lakes in central Maine. Highly comparable in mission, scope, and program mix (water quality monitoring, invasive species, land use) to 30 Mile's watershed-based approach.
• Kennebec Land Trust: Coalition member of 30 Mile and a direct peer — a Maine land trust collaborating on land conservation and watershed protection within the 30 Mile River Watershed, with similar conservation-easement and stewardship activities.
• 7 Lakes Alliance: Coalition member of 30 Mile and a direct peer — a nonprofit conservation organization also serving the Belgrade Lakes region in Central Maine, focused on lake protection, water quality, and land conservation through a similar lake-association and town-based model.
• Maine Lakes (formerly Maine Lakes Society): Statewide lake advocacy and education organization that partners with 30 Mile as the LakeSmart program HUB. Operates the LakeSmart framework that 30 Mile delivers locally, making it a direct peer in lake protection program delivery and policy advocacy.

Regional players

• Casco Bay Estuary Partnership: Maine-based water-focused conservation organization with broader estuarine scope but comparable functions: water quality monitoring, citizen science, municipal technical assistance, and Clean Water Act-funded watershed protection.
• Royal River Conservation Trust: Maine-based land trust and watershed-focused conservation organization operating in a different geography (Royal River watershed) but with comparable program mix including water quality, land conservation, and community stewardship.

Broad incumbents

• Chesapeake Bay Foundation: Larger, established nonprofit focused on watershed-scale restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. Comparable in mission (watershed protection, water quality monitoring, advocacy, volunteer engagement) but operates at much larger geographic and budgetary scale.
• Lake Champlain Basin Program: Federal-state-Tribal partnership managing Lake Champlain watershed health with programs in water quality monitoring, invasive species, and pollution control. Comparable mission and program architecture but operates at multi-state scale versus 30 Mile's single watershed.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/30mileriver
• Instagraminstagram.com/30mileriver

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 30 Mile River Watershed Association