Conservation FLYer – June 2026

JUNE 2026

The Serpentine, a 2.5-mile waterway connects East Pond to North Pond in the Belgrade Lakes region of Maine. Photo: Jonathan Milne | Pilot: Scott Cianchette

There's a narrow stretch of water in central Maine called the Serpentine that connects East and North Ponds. From the ground, it looks like nothing more than a channel. From the air, it's something else: a route that wildlife uses to move between waters, and one that invasive species use too.

That's the kind of detail you can only see from above — and it's exactly why two Maine conservation groups turned to LightHawk. Taking off from Augusta State Airport, volunteer pilot Scott Cianchette and LightHawk staff member Jonathan Milne flew across central Maine's Sebasticook River Watershed, collecting photos and video of the lands and waters below. Beyond the Serpentine, they flew over Great Meadow, Great Pond, and land within the greater watershed that could one day connect to existing conserved acreage — a missing link drawn into view from above.

Photo: Alejandro Lucero | Pilot: Chuck Schroll

This image of Lake Powell, captured by journalist Alejandro Lucero on a flight with volunteer pilot Chuck Schroll, shows what's known as the "bathtub ring" — the pale band marking where water levels once reached, now standing well above the water's edge.

Lake Powell is a reservoir on the Colorado River, spanning the border of Utah and Arizona. Beyond being a major vacation destination, it's a vital part of the water storage system across the basin, and it has become a focal point in the water crisis facing the Southwest.

After years of drought and a record-low snowpack this season, Lake Powell's water levels have dropped to dangerous lows. If the reservoir continues to decline, the dam could lose its ability to generate power, and communities and agricultural operations further down the basin could face severe water shortages.

Lucero, a journalist with KTVX TV in Salt Lake City, was reporting on the basin's water crisis when he captured this image.

LightHawk’s work doesn’t end with a single flight. It builds over time, informing decisions that protect landscapes, wildlife, and communities.

Some supporters choose to extend their impact through a legacy gift, helping ensure this work continues into the future. If you’re interested in learning more, we’d be glad to start the conversation.