How to Help

    Get Involved:. Please contact the SMLA office or President and express your desire to serve. (All positions must be filled by an SMLA member)

    Current Opportunity:  Our Save our Streams (SOS) program will hold a spring workshop for new volunteers on Saturday, March 4th. [read more]

    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.