How to Help

There are three great ways to help SMLA continue its mission:

Join Us – Become a Member

  • SMLA has a variety of Resident memberships based on your ability to contribute. New members receive a special gift for memberships above Family membership. Businesses also reap the rewards of a pristine lake. You can donate for a Business Partner Membership to show your support for SMLA and the work we are doing.
  • Membership Benefits: A member once described the “benefit” of the yearly membership fee to SMLA as: “the cheapest insurance you can buy to maintain your home value.” The members of SMLA direct their time and efforts primarily towards the environmental protection of Smith Mountain Lake and its watershed. Our past efforts have significantly contributed to the overall health of the Lake and increased property values. Collected data and analysis clearly demonstrates that SML, while over 50 years old, looks and acts like a lake of 30 years. SMLA has achieved amazing results. If we don’t do it, nobody will!
  • Each member receives a quarterly newsletter that provides accomplishments over the past quarter and plans for the coming quarter. Click this link to view the most recent Newsletter.

Help Us – Volunteer for one of our Committees and Projects

Members of SMLA direct their time and efforts primarily towards the environmental protection of Smith Mountain Lake and its watershed. The Smith Mountain Lake Association leads the way in:

  • Measuring and protecting water quality.
  • Monitoring and participating in the political process of surrounding counties.
  • Working in cooperation with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to address Shoreline Management Program issues, including dredging, shoreline restrictions, docks, and the policies and procedures regulating each.
  • Co-sponsoring “Take Pride in SML” annual clean up days in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce & TLAC
  • Monitoring and participating in the development of programs for the relicensing of AEP by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Get Involved: SMLA has the following high-priority Committee Chair vacancies. Please contact the SMLA office or President and express your desire to serve.

  • Environmental Education: Adult and Youth Education  – Work with local schools and community groups to educate our residents on environmental matters that affect SML.
  • Buffer Landscaping – Promote the benefits of shoreline buffers to our lake residents and show them the way.
  • Vessel Pump Out – Coordinate with the VA Department of Environmental Quality, the Tri-Counties Lakes Administrative Commission and a few pump out workers to manage one of the most important programs on the Lake.

You can volunteer for…

  • Being an office volunteer
  • Collecting water samples
  • Identifying the organisms in a stream to determine water quality
  • Working on the Vessel Pump Out program
  • Collecting weed samples
  • Monitoring parts of the lake for floating debris
  • Organizing and participating in a Lake Cleanup Day in your neighborhood
  • Preparing articles for newspapers or the website
  • Developing marketing materials for the organization
  • Providing annual auditing services for the Treasurer
  • Representing one of the three counties by attending County Board of Supervisors meetings and reporting back to the SMLA Board of Directors

You can work with:

  • Homeowners on the Buffer Landscape Program to educate them on Lake saving techniques to reduce nutrients and sedimentation from entering the Lake.
  • Members of the Water Safety Council to concentrate on safe boating issues and implement related programs.
  • Local businesses, marinas, and the public to distribute and sell our Lake Maps/Charts.
  • Marketing professionals to help spread the good news about SMLA and the work we do.

You can study-up on a topic and work with others on issues as they present, such as:

  • The Shoreline Management Plan
  • AEP Relicensing
  • Local Government relations and interface
  • Environmental Education programs
  • Water level issues
  • Bacteria sources and farm animal retainer ponds
  • Fish habitats

You can interface with:

  • Ferrum College as they analyze data and prepare reports on water quality
  • Game and Inland Fishery as they address fishing issues
  • Blue Ridge Soil and Conservation as they address soil erosion issues

You may also have expertise that would help us with:

  • Watershed issues
  • Wetland Restoration Programs
  • Storm Water Runoff
  • Fertilizers and how they impact water quality
  • Landscaping and Plantings to reduce erosion
  • Fish habitat(s)

You Can Research, Benchmark, and/or Survey:

  • What other lake organizations are doing to protect their lake and watershed.
  • In fact, if what we are currently doing is not the best of fit for your interests, or expertise, you may also bring to us new ideas and programs. That’s how we grow!

Click here to see the list of Committee Chairs, their phone numbers, and email addresses.