All photography provided by Susan Atwood.

We work to preserve and protect                           Wilson Lake and its watershed.

Our Mission

To preserve and protect the aesthetic qualities, the recreational value, and the purity of the water of Wilson Lake in Wilton, Maine and its watershed.

Since 1989,  Friends of Wilson Lake has led many efforts to protect the 563 acres of beautiful Wilson Lake and create programs to educate the community.

What We've Achieved

Note: Click on Colored text link to for more information.

  • 1989 Organizational meetings, selection of name"Friends of Wilson Lake", adoption of by-laws

  • 1990 First public meeting of FOWL and election of officers

  • 1993 Septic survey of lake properties

  • 1994 Watershed Survey conducted to identify erosion sites 

  • 1994 Demonstration Project at Kineowatha Park to correct erosion

  • 1997 Begin free Blueberry Festival boat rides 

  • 2000 Participated in projects at foot of Wilson Lake to correct erosion 

  • 2001  Courtesy Boat Inspection Program - organized and funded program in Wilton, ME

  • 2002  Audubon Loon Count - FOWL participates for the first time

  • 2004 David Prince Memorial Scholarship was first awarded

  • 2004 Commencement of the LakeSmart Program 

  • 2006 Elementary School “Wayne Smith Lakes and Loons Program” begins

  • 2008 FOWL cookbook produced

  • 2009 FOWL gets Gold LakeSmart status

  • 2011 Awarded "Non-Profit of the Year" by Franklin County Chamber of Commerce

  • 2012 Recognized for having 30 shore front properties participate in LakeSmart program

  • 2016 Watershed Survey Report of Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond and Pease Pond

  • Newsletter - three times per year

  • Elementary Lakes and Loons Program

  • 2018 Named Maine Lake Association of the Year by Maine Lakes Society

  • 2018 Installation of FOWL/UMF research buoy in Wilson Lake

  • 2019 Record number of CBI inspections

  • 2019 FOWL 30 year anniversary

  • 2020 Another record number of CBI inspections, over 1,000

  • 2021 Environmental Achievement Award, with the Town of Wilton, Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments

  • 2021 Mary Ryan featured in special issue of Down East magazine—”Lady of the Lake”

  • 2022 Wynn and Sandy Muller —”Clean Water Champions” Natural Resources Council of Maine

  • 2022 Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award

FOWL awarded 2011 Non-Profit of the Year by Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.Nancy Prince, Mary Ryan, Martie Martin, Wynn Muller, Sandy Muller, Maggie Shannon, Susan Atwood.

FOWL awarded 2011 Non-Profit of the Year by Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.

Nancy Prince, Mary Ryan, Martie Martin, Wynn Muller, Sandy Muller, Maggie Shannon, Susan Atwood.