Events & News
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Those of us lucky enough to work in outdoor careers have followed a variety of pathways. As a city kid more accustomed to blacktop than black flies, my first exposure to outdoor work came as a 16 year-old with the Youth Conservation Corps. That job opened doors to a succession of seasonal trail crews across New England. (As it turns out, repeated exposure to feisty insects, primitive tools, wet socks in the tent, and three day old mac-and-cheese really does build character). In early September this year my affinity for trail crews was rekindled when I had a chance to meet with more than 50 members of the Maine Conservation Corps, a state service program that receives AmeriCorps funding. MCC crew members and environmental stewards work all across Maine on conservation lands and as embedded professionals with state agencies and conservation groups. I spoke on a panel as part of a ‘Life After AmeriCorps’ event focused on using MCC as a career stepping stone. I was struck by the eagerness, dedication, and variety of backgrounds of MCC volunteers -- more than half are from out of state, and many have never been to Maine. A few weeks later I had a chance to visit a wildflower sanctuary where I chatted with Max from Kentucky, Brennan from Massachusetts, Bianca from California, and Nick from Maine, as they completed a series of wooden bridges over steep ravines. They talked about exploring Maine, learning to run a chainsaw, seeing their first moose, hearing a black bear just outside the tent, and thinking about their next moves after their terms ended in October. I truly wish I could find full time jobs for all of them!
Andy Cutko, Director, Bureau of Parks and Lands
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We all know how terrific BPL employees are, and occasionally we’re reminded of that by others. A few recent accolades for BPL staff:
Reid State Park Manager Samantha Wilkinson received a lovely thank you note from a family who visited the Park earlier this year. The note concluded, “It’s clear that you love your job, Samantha. Sometimes, the effects of diligence and kindness just can’t be measured, nor compensated, and a simple ‘Thanks You’ is not enough. If your employers could compensate you for these attributes, you would be a rich woman indeed.” Thanks for being you, Sam!
Melissa Macaluso recently helped set up a photo shoot for Thalo Blue, a marketing consultant, at Quoddy Head State Park. Park Manager Shawn Goggin facilitated the effort on the ground. Matthew Kovacevich of Thalo blue followed up to say, ‘I want to thank you for helping to make the shoot over the weekend a success for us. You made working with the state an uncomplicated process and I look forward to working with your office again in the future. Shawn was a great “host” as well making sure he helped out at every step of the way when he could. Please know how impressed we were with the park facilities and with his mindfulness on all the details. It is rare to find that kind of support and dedication in someone and DACF should be proud to have Shawn Goggin on their team.’ Thanks Melissa and Shawn for your outstanding customer service!
Sara Knowles, Director of the Maine Conservation Corps, was recently recognized as a Maine Americorps Alumni Award Winner. MCC reports that in reflecting on her prior service as a crew member, Sara realizes she was learning timber work, trail construction, and tidbits on mechanical advantage; yet, the true lessons were those of community, confidence, leadership, perseverance, compassion and positivity. Sara believes National Service can shape your worldview and open doors. Her service journey began and continues with MCC where she is honored to be a leader of the organization, and facilitate similar experiences for those that accept. Congratulations, Sara, and we’re proud to have you at the helm of MCC!
Photos: Reid Beach at sunset, coastal view at Quoddy Head, and Maine Conservation Corps members.
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An engaged group of state legislators and policy analysts participated in our recent ACF Committee tour of the Bigelow Preserve. Our goal was to come together and discuss the Bureau’s multi-dimensional approach to managing wildlife, recreation, and timber on this magnificent 36,000-acre tract of public land near Stratton. It was a perfect opportunity for BPL staff to connect with our oversight committee and for all of us to connect with the outdoors on a spectacular fall day.
We're looking forward to welcoming more legislative leaders on our next tour.
Thanks to everyone for participating in this important experiential learning opportunity!
Left Photo - left to right: IF&W Biologist Sarah Spencer, BPL Dir Andy Cutko, Sen Russell Black, Rep Randall Hall, BPL Sr Planner Jim Vogel, BPL Outdoor Rec Planner Rex Turner, BPL Chief of Silviculture Tom Charles, ACF Committee Analyst Karen Nadeau, Sr Policy Advisory Brooke Barron, Forest Tech Frank Henry, BPL Dep Dir Doug Reed — with Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, Maine Senate Republicans and Maine House Democrats at Bigelow Preserve Public Land.
Right Photo - Newly styled Public Lands yardarm sign for trailheads. Pineland Public Lands recently received one as well.
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Maine's Bald Eagle population was nearly lost in the 1960s. Their remarkable recovery is recounted by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife biologists Amy Meehan and Charlie Todd through their new online Story Map. Beautiful photos, interactive maps, and text combine to weave the compelling and inspiring story of Maine's Bald Eagles. Teachers and students may want to explore the Story Map together.
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The 2019 Maine Snowmobile Show at the Augusta Civic Center kicked off what looks to be another great snowmobile season. The displays and demonstrations were visited by thousands of riders and families gearing up for this winter. Manufactures represented all makes and models of snowmobiles, grooming equipment, clothing and accessories. Booths were stocked with information about places to stay, as well as maps and brochures to help riders make this season's snowmobiling experience the best yet.
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The Saturday morning Trails Workshop was well attended by many of the 289 snowmobile clubs in Maine. Guest speakers were:
- Paula Jones and Angela Rice of Midcoast Lyme Disease Support and Education discussed tick bite prevention and the signs and symptoms of tick bites.
- Tom Doak from the Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine talked about the concerns of landowners when allowing recreational uses on their property. The number one reason property owners decide to close their land for recreational uses is the trash that is left behind by trail visitors. The strong message was to treat the property like it is your own and respect the land.
- Representing the State of Maine Snowmobile Program, Joe Higgins gave a presentation about the four Snowmobile Program grants: Capital Equipment Grant, Municipal Grant, Club Grant and Disaster Relief Grant. These In-Aid grants help snowmobile clubs and municipalities off-set the cost of grooming and maintaining the 14,000 miles of snowmobile trails in Maine.
- The USDA Grant Program was presented by Director Tim Hoobs. This brought much discussion about Rural Development grants available to snowmobile clubs.
- Mark Chinnock, the Maine Snowmobile Association Trails Committee Chair, focused on trail signage and the importance of proper placement and use of the signs. Trail Signing Guidelines are available online and a pocket size signing handbook is available to the clubs through the State of Maine Snowmobile Program; call (207) 287-4957 or write to Snowmobile Program, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, 22 SHS, Augusta 04333-0022.
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Standing next to the new trail groomer for the Border Riders Snowmobile club of Jackman are (left to right): Alan Dugas club member, Joe Higgins, Supervisor, Maine Snowmobile Program, and Michelle Newman, Treasurer for the Border Riders. The new grooming equipment was partially funded with the Capital Equipment In-Aid Grant available through the Maine Snowmobile Program.
Contributed by Joe Higgins, Supervisor of the State of Maine Snowmobile Program.
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Pumpkin Pancakes
Ingredients
- 2 cups All Purpose Flour
- 3 teaspoons Baking Powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1½ teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon Ground Ginger
- ½ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar
- ¼ cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup Pumpkin Puree
- 2 large Eggs
- 4 tablespoons Butter Melted
- 1½ cups Milk
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Instructions
- Preheat griddle (or large non-stick skillet) to medium heat.
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. (this will be your dry ingredients).
- In a medium bowl, mix together both of the sugars, vanilla extract, pumpkin puree, eggs, melted butter, and milk (this will be your wet ingredients).
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix to combine. The batter will be lumpy, do not over mix.
- Let the batter sit for 5 minutes or so. Butter your griddle while you wait.
- Pour about 1/3 cup of batter for each pancake. Cook each pancake until bubbles form, creating little craters, then flip and cook a minute or two until golden brown.
- Serve pancakes with butter and syrup or my favorite, whipped cream with a dusting of nutmeg.
Contributed by Jen Neumeyer, Boating Facilities Secretary, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands.
Photo Credit: Candice Pinkham, Planning & Research Associate, Maine Snowmobile Program.
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New Guide & Maps are available for:
View the complete list of Publications and Maps.
New Text to Subscribe Options for ATV and Snowmobile Alerts:
ATV = Text DACF ATV to 468311
Snowmobile = Text DACF SNOW to 468311
View all text-to-subscribe options.
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Consider a haunted hike to the pet cemetery on Mackworth Island.
Haunted Hikes
Continue the fun of Halloween into November with three self-guided Haunted Hikes featured on Maine Trail Finder. Includes the spooky pet cemetery trail on Mackworth Island.
Bradbury Mt. State Park
November 24, 2019:
Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park
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Send article suggestions or newsletter comments to Jocelyn Hubbell, Interpretive Specialist, webmaster, and newsletter editor for the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands.
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