The time has come to dust off the kayak paddles and burnish life jackets instead of parkas.

But, before paddlers take to the water, the Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association is asking for a few volunteers.

Just as the Midcoast welcomes back summer visitors, the DLWA is on the look out for a different type of visitor — invasive plant species.

DLWA's Katie Moran said via email that while the invasive plant species hydrilla has been found in Damariscotta Lake, the Invasive Plant Patrol (IPP) will again ask volunteers to prowl the water and search for unwelcome visitors.

“Volunteers are assigned a section of the lake to survey for invasive plants,” Moran said. “Some of the invasives include hydrilla, milfoil, and curly leaf pond weed. However, volunteers are instructed to mark anything that looks suspicious for further identification by DLWA.”

In 2009, hydrilla was found in Damariscotta Lake, and work has been done to curb its spread. The spread of the invasive plant, which can be traced back to Western Europe, can be curbed via rolling-out tarps, but only if it is spotted.

“There is hydrilla in Damariscotta Lake, but it is being carefully managed,” Moran said. “It is currently located in one cove that has been barred off from the rest of the lake and covered with a rubber liner designed to smother and prevent further hydrilla growth.”

If left unchecked, hydrilla and milfoil can overwhelm a pond or lake’s resident ecosystem.

The DLWA has been successful at preventing growth of the plant in a nearby feeder stream, Moran said.

“Hydrilla has been found in Davis Stream, which feeds into Damariscotta Lake, but past removal efforts have been successful (so far), as there wasn't any spotted in the stream last year,” she said.

The IPP will be divvied into shifts to make sure the invasive species haven't branched out to other parts of the 19 acre lake. Moran said most volunteers canoe or snorkel, and are given a map of their area.

But, if the pesky weed is seen, volunteers are asked to give it a wide berth and report it to the DLWA.

“If hydrilla is spotted, don't touch it! If the plant is fragmented it can easily spread and establish in new areas. DLWA will come investigate and confirm whether it is hydrilla, and if it is, a management plan will be made.”

Other volunteer opportunities include boat launch spotters. Spotters monitor boats coming into and out of the lake for any plant fragments that might have stowed away on a boat.

For more information, or to volunteer, call Garrison Beck at 207-549-3836 or email garrison@dlwa.org. To view more DLWA news, visit www.dlwa.org.