Assawompset Ponds Complex and Nemasket River

Long Pond Friendly Living

SRPEDD is partnering with the Long Pond Association, Save the Bay and the Towns of Lakeville and Freetown to offer a series of informational sessions for local community members to learn how to be stewards of water quality in Long Pond.

Photo credits: Save the Bay

Buffer Restoration

A living willow fence  pilot buffer restoration project was installed on Long Pond on May 14, 2024.

Over time, the live willow stakes will grow into a living buffer that helps to remove nutrients and other pollutants from runoff, protecting water quality in Long Pond.

Interested in building your own living willow fence to protect water quality and create backyard habitat?

Long Pond Friendly Living Learning Series

Session #1: Long Pond Friendly Lawn Care

Join us in person or online to learn more pond friendly tips for a healthy yard and a healthy pond.

Thursday, April 13, 2023, 6-7pm

In person at the Lakeville Eagles Club, 217 County Street, Lakeville

Pond Friendly Living Tip: Maintain Your Septic. Washing a pot in the sink.
Session 2 will explore what septic systems are and maintenance resources to protect water quality.

 

Session #3: What is a Buffer?

Join us for a site visit to learn what a healthy pondside garden looks like, and how you can plant a garden that protects water quality in your own yard.

Saturday, May 20, 2023, 10am

This session will be in person only, hosted by Martha & John Worley:

80 Lakeside Ave, Lakeville

Session #4: Gardening for Long Pond

Join us for a site visit to learn what a healthy pondside garden looks like, and how you can plant a garden that protects water quality in your own yard.

Saturday June 17, 2023, 10am

This session will be in person only, hosted by Julie St. Don:

17 Parkhurst Drive, Lakeville

Do more for clean water (by doing less). Photo of lawn mower
Session 1 focused on pond friendly lawn care tips, such as how letting your grass grow a little longer encourages stronger roots so you can water less!

 

Session #2: Long Pond Friendly Septic Maintenance

Join us in person or online to learn basic septic maintenance 101 and to understand why proper care of your system is important for water quality and your wallet.

Tuesday, May 16, 2023, 6-7pm

In person at the Lakeville Public Library, 4 Precinct Street, Lakeville

Workshop announcement with picture of a garden beside a pond as the background
In sessions 3 & 4 we will visit examples of pondside gardens and explore how planting along the Pond's buffer can help protect water quality.
people weaving together branches that are staked in the ground into a fence in front of a pond
SRPEDD and partners at Save the Bay and Commonplace Landscape and Design installed a living willow buffer fence on Long Pond with volunteers in May.

Buffer pilot installation workshop

Learn how to install a living willow fence that will provide wildlife habitat and help to protect water quality in Long Pond

Monday, May 14, 2024

17 Parkhurst Drive, Lakeville

Sign up for project updates

Stay up to date with pond friendly living tips and tricks, and hear about upcoming events

Resources for living Pond Friendly

Check out the following resources and guides for more pond friendly living tips! Click on each picture to be brought directly to that resource.

The Long Pond Friendly Living guide is an informational pamphlet with yard care and lifestyle tips for residents surrounding Long Pong to save time and money and protect water quality in Long Pond
The SNEP Network's Buffer Restoration Guide assists public and private property owners interested in restoring and improving the natural vegetation bordering waterbodies on their land. It will walk you through the process of identifying and implementing the right project for your property. (Photo courtesy of Save the Bay)
This Bay-Friendly Living guide, written by Save the Bay, demonstrates best lawn maintenance practices to minimize fertilizer usage and watering. Learn how to grow a healthy lawn that promotes healthy ponds. (Photo courtesy of Save the Bay)
Have a failing septic system? Low interest (5%) Septic Betterment Loans may be available through your town's Board of Health to replace your system. No credit check required.
Greenscapes has resources on how to grow a lawn with less maintenance and lower costs while benefiting soil and water health. (Photo courtesy of Save the Bay)
Click the photo for a list of septic system installers and servicers in Massachusetts, and search for those in your town/region. Photo courtesy of Conway Excavating.
The Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project (SERCAP) offers Individual Household Well and Septic Loans to replace your septic system. These low interest (1%) loans (up to $15,000) are available to low and moderate income homeowners in rural communities, including Freetown and Lakeville. Photo courtesy of Save the Bay.
UMass Amherst provides soil testing that gives you a detailed breakdown of the nutrient levels and soil acidity of your specific soil. This breakdown allows you to target your soils needs and avoid adding excess nutrients that lead to pollution. Please use the order form for Turf, Ornamentals, and Landscaping when analyzing lawn soils. (Photo courtesy of Save the Bay)
Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) has created a series of fact sheets on stormwater solutions for homeowners that describes different measures you can take to reduce run off from your property through a variety of methods from gardening to proper waste removal. (Photo courtesy of Save the Bay)
Mass Housing offers low interest (up to 2.5%) homeowner loans, including for septic repairs. 15-year loans up to $25,000 are available to low and moderate income households. Photo courtesy of Save the Bay.
The State of Massachusetts offers a $6000 (over 4 years) personal income tax credit for the replacement of a failed septic system or cesspool.

Get in touch with your local officials with specific questions about what you can do on your property and/or get additional support.

Name Municipality Commission(s) & Board(s) Email
Victoria D’Antoni Freetown Conservation Commission, Planning Board planning@freetownma.gov
Keven Desmarais Freetown Board of Health Agent health@freetownma.gov
Nancy Yeatts Lakeville Conservation Commission eaglelady27@gmail.com
Edward Cullen Lakeville Board of Health Agent ecullen@lakevillema.org