Friends of Moody Pond, in Saranac Lake, is an organization dedicated to the conservation and protection of Moody Pond and the surrounding neighborhood from invasive species- specifically Eurasian watermilfoil.

This invasive species was found in Moody Pond in 2018 and makes up at least 3.5 acres (14 percent) of Moody Pond, according to the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program.

A rapid response is essential in managing and eradicating aquatic invasives, and Friends of Moody Pond will be raising funds to educate the public and provide a rapid management response to that end.

They will be implementing at least three control measures: hand-harvest, benthic mats, and surface fragment collection, with their goal being to eradicate watermilfoil from Moody Pond all together. The project has a short-term (1 year) goal of increased access to public information on control measures for invasive species for the people who use Moody Pond. There is also a medium-term (2-3 years) and long term (3-5 years) project which will focus on the reduction and eradication of Eurasian watermilfoil respectively. The methods proposed have been successful in other larger lakes in the Adirondack Park.

Friends of Moody Pond will be holding their first major fundraising event July 11 through Aug. 8, titled “Foil the Milfoil: Moody Pond Challenge.” On Aug. 8 there will be a family centered ice cream social complete with live music around Moody Pond from 11am until 2pm. (Assuming the virus permits). To find more information on Friends of Moody Pond, including donating to their cause, or contacting them for help, visit their website here: https://friendsofmoodypond.org/