 August 2021
Andy Cutko at Fort O'Brien.
Like many outdoorsy Mainers, I’ve spent a couple decades keeping an informal tally of Maine State Parks, Public Lands, mountaintops, remote lakes, community trails, islands, and other enticing places in the state. (Has anyone else made it to all 70 pages in the DeLorme Atlas?) Only recently, however, have I realized the number of engaging, informative, and off-the-beaten-path historic sites owned by the Bureau of Parks and Lands.
Cannons at Fort McClary.
The Bureau manages more than a dozen State Historic Sites that extend from Kittery (Fort McClary) to Fort Kent. Several of these sites are on the National Register of Historic Places or are designated as National Historic Landmarks. Some are substantial coastal fortifications, like Fort Knox (managed through a cooperative agreement with the Friends of Fort Knox) and Fort McClary, while others like Fort O’Brien (Machiasport) are mere relics of military installations of the past. Sites like the Katahdin Ironworks, a mid-1800s industrial-scale smelting operation, are deep in the woods and conjure up images of a society once closely dependent on its surrounding natural resources.
Judy East (LUPC), Steve Tatko (AMC), and Andy Cutko at Katahdin Ironworks
As interesting as these historic sites are, they of course represent only one element of Maine’s history and settlement. Through participation in the First Light Learning Journey and related conversations, the Bureau of Parks and Lands intends to improve our understanding and communications about the critical roles and relationships of the Wabanaki and other under-represented groups in Maine’s history. One thing we’ve learned is that we have a lot to learn!
~ Andy Cutko, Director, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands
Photo Note:
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Staff from Maine Cancer Foundation, Impact Melanoma, and the Bureau of Parks and Lands at Crescent Beach State Park.
On more than one occasion I’ve packed up the towels, frisbee, bathing suits, and snacks for the beach only to arrive and realize I’ve left the sunscreen at home. Fortunately, through a new partnership, several Maine State Parks are collaborating with the Maine Cancer Foundation and Impact Melanoma to provide free sunscreen dispensers and raise awareness about the risks of skin cancer. Ray Ruby, MCF’s Community Outreach Manager and a huge State Park fan, connected with me this spring to set the collaboration in motion. According to MCF, 95% of skin cancers can be prevented using sunscreen and taking measures to avoid the sun’s harmful effects. Impact Melanoma, a nationally recognized leader in sun safety and melanoma awareness, has conducted a statewide sun safety campaign and has installed over 120 sunscreen dispensers throughout Maine. We’re thrilled to be part of this important partnership, so look for a sunscreen dispenser coming soon to a State Park beach near you!
~ Andy Cutko, Director, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands
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Just like applying sunscreen is safety preparation for a day at the beach, so too is staying up to date with Maine health, travel and location alerts. We've got you covered! Our new Safety webpage is a one stop location for safety resources. Bookmark it today or use the easy-to-remember URL, www.ParksAndLands.com , to get to the Bureau's homepage where you'll find a yellow highlighted Safety Updates link.
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Covered picnic shelters at Lake St. George, Damariscotta Lake, Sebago Lake, and Camden Hills State Parks.
At the end of a long legislative session, Governor Mills signed the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan (LD 1733), which includes $50 million for repairs and upgrades to Maine State Parks. After years of very limited funding, this is a truly groundbreaking commitment! The Bureau of Parks and Lands looks forward to rolling up our sleeves and making significant improvements to State Park roads, trails, visitor’s centers, playgrounds, bathrooms, and other amenities across the state. Many thanks to lawmakers, citizens, and stakeholders who supported this initiative.
~ Andy Cutko, Director, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands
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The 2022 Maine State Park Pass will go on sale on August 15, 2021. It is a great deal because the 2022 Park Pass is good for the remainder of 2021 and all of 2022; that's sixteen months for the price of twelve months!
Purchase your 2022 Park Pass at a Maine State Park. View the list of participating parks and their day-use fees.
Please note that Maine State Park Passes are:
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Not accepted at: Acadia National Park, Allagash Wilderness Waterway, Baxter State Park, Maine Wildlife Park, Peacock Beach, Penobscot Narrows Observatory, Penobscot River Corridor, Scarborough Beach, the Songo Lock, or Swan Island.
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For day-use only and does not include camping.
A Maine State Park Pass is your day-entry key to extraordinary locations and activities.
Photos Note - Row 1: Warren Island ranger cabin, xc-skiing at Mount Blue; Row 2: Adirondack shelter at Aroostook, sunset at Roque Bluffs State Parks.
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Mount Blue State Park
- August 1, 2021 : Photo Scavenger Hunt
- August 1, 2021 : Junior Ranger I Program (ages 4-7)
- August 1, 2021 : Nature Center Open
- August 1, 2021 : Jr. Ranger III Program (age 13+)
- August 2, 2021 : Nature Center Open
- August 2, 2021 : Birds of Mt. Blue
- August 2, 2021 : Gold Panning Demo
- August 2, 2021 : Junior Ranger II Program (ages 8-12)
- August 3, 2021 : Nature Center Open
- August 3, 2021 : Mammal Skulls Funology
- August 3, 2021 : A Mt. Blue Weather or Not Report
- August 3, 2021 : Wildlife Olympics
View more Mount Blue program listings at the online searchable event calendar.
Pemaquid Point Point Learning Center
*Note the off-site location for this program in conjunction with Colonial Pemaquid State Historic Site.
Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park
View more program Wolfe's Neck Woods listings at the online searchable event calendar.
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Maine Trail Finder (MTF) has been working to make it easier for all Mainers to search and discover the most appropriate trails to meet their interests and abilities, with new search options and map features for finding and describing accessible trails.
Now they need your help!
Add photos of parking lots, trailheads, trail surface and potential barriers to trails on MTF that are tagged as "Easy" and you will be entered into a weekly raffle for an MTF hat. Get all the details. Hurry! The raffles end August 31.
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Maine's Public Lands recently held a staff training session that included a wonderful presentation about invasive plants by Nancy Olmstead, Invasive Plant Biologist, Maine Natural Areas Program (MNAP).
These non-native plants have been found to pose a threat to habitats and natural resources in Maine. Nancy shared her Lookout List - the top nine plants of concern for protecting Maine’s natural heritage – especially forests. They are shown below, each with a link to the Maine Natural Area Program's species specific information page.
Lookout List:
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View additional photos at the Invasive Plant Photo Gallery.
New and Not Yet Widespread Invasive Plants
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Black Swallowwort - Is an aggressive perennial vine that can cause a skin rash when handled; if monarchs lay eggs on it they will not survive.
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Ornamental Jewelweed - This annual plant forms monocultures along streamsides, crowding out native plants; it is abundant along the mid-coast.
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Mile a Minute Vine - (not yet known in Maine) This annual vine aggressively colonizes open habitats and forest edges.
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Stiltgrass - Has been found in York and Georgetown. This shade-tolerant grass can take over the forest floor and prevent native tree seedlings from germinating.
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Tree of Heaven - (only known in York county) Preferred host for the Spotted Lanternfly which damages many agricultural products: apples and other fruits; but could impact natives too.
Learn More about Invasive Plants at:
List – Become a Citizen Scientist!
iMap Invasives App - iMap is a free web-based map and database that shows where invasive species are on Maine's landscape. Anyone in Maine, including non-registered users, can use iMap for information about invasive plants and animals in our state that includes a map of confirmed invasive species records. Registered users can use iMap to: map invasive plant infestations, facilitate early detection and rapid response to new invasive species and infestations, track invasive species control efforts, to help improve best practices and outcomes over time, and more.
~ Jocelyn Hubbell, Interpretive Specialist, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands
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This month we welcome our 2021 Allagash Wilderness Waterway visiting artist Marty Kotter. We are looking forward to seeing her artwork from this experience!
We are also looking forward to seeing 2020 visiting artist Michael Vermette’s work at Gleason Fine Art in Boothbay Harbor. Michael’s show “50 Plus One” represents 50 paintings created in the AWW last August and celebrates the AWW’s 50th anniversary. 50 Plus One opens August 6, ends August 31, and is open to the public during gallery hours.
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Sharks at Your Service by Mary Cerullo
Join Maine author Mary Cerullo for a 30-minute virtual slide/video presentation on sharks, followed by a Q&A with famed shark photographer Jeff Rotman on Thursday, August 5 from 5:00-6:00 p.m. Free!
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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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