 December 2021
Maybe it’s because my dad, a lifelong Phys. Ed. teacher, was the ring master of our family camping trips. Or maybe it’s just the way I’m wired. Either way, the ties between the outdoors and physical and mental health have always been strong for me. Those connections were never more evident than at the Bold Coast Bash, a rugged trail race on Cutler Coast Public Land in early November. I joined more than 60 hearty and uber-fit folks of all ages to run, hike, slip, and slosh, as fast as we could, across a 10-mile loop of spectacular scenery. (Those intent on really pushing their limits, and with legs far more spry than mine, did two or three laps.) I’m typically not an emotional guy, but the combination of Maine’s natural beauty, exercise-induced endorphins, and running camaraderie was almost a spiritual experience.
|
According to Michelle Kondo, a research social scientist with the USDA Forest Service's Northern Research Station, "The physiological response to being outside in nature is real, and it's measurable. There are many physical and psychological benefits of nature that scientists have observed, which can better help us understand how nature supports wellness in the body, mind and community." The allure of exercising outdoors has clearly grown during the pandemic, as we all seek new ways to reduce stress. Through partnerships with groups like Bold Coast Runners, Trail Monster Running, Baxter Outdoors, Gear Works Productions, the New England Mountain Bike Association, and others, the Bureau of Parks and Lands is thrilled to host several bike and trail races throughout the year. If you run at my pace, it’s more about the journey than the competition, and no matter the finishing time, the journey is always worth it!
~ Andy Cutko, Director, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands
Inset photo: Andy with Eric Mauricette (L) and John Hough (R) of the Bold Coast Runners.
Top of page
|
 |
Special Delivery to Charlene during her last week from the InforME team. Left to right: Beth Dyer, Developer, InforME; Megan Rand, Project Manager, InforME; Ellis Rand; Kimberly Duplisea, Director of Operations, InforME; Hanna, Ethan, Isaac Duplisea.
During her almost forty-seven years of outstanding service to the people of Maine, Charlene Daniels’ constant priority was helping others. At the Bureau of Parks and Lands she managed Campground Reservations for the last twenty-six+ years. She was not only the voice of Reservations but oversaw its transition from a pen-and-paper-and-call-in system to a 24-7 online computerized reservation platform. She continually advocated for the best of customer service and reservation technology for campers. Before one camping summer came to a close, Charlene was busy planning for the next; putting in for system improvements, gathering planned site updates from the parks, making sure all the many related details were ready, and the website fully tested before the next season’s opening day.
InforME staff, who provide the technical support and maintenance of the online Reservations platform, are an integral part of this annual cycle of system evaluation, improvement, and updating. They visited during Charlene’s last week to express their appreciation and to thank her for her extra diligence in making sure they received all the reservations updates before she retired. They will certainly miss her on Opening Day in 2022, as will all of us who worked with her behind the scenes.
Hundreds of thousands of campers will miss her too… as evidenced by the so many thank you cards, letters, and photos she received each summer and posted on her office door! Her customers always came first! Each spring she trained new reservations staff and new and seasonal park managers about Camping Reservations, then supported them through the season so that they could provide the best camping experiences to the customers. Additionally, Charlene masterfully coordinated camping promotions, the design and distribution of camping brochures, campground map updates, and the sale of park passes.
1988 marked the first year of camping reservations and brought in 4,133 reservations. Charlene helped it grow steadily to this past summer's record 34,098 reservations! What a banner year for her retirement! We look forward to Charlene visiting and camping at the locations she loved and supported for so many years, and hope that you will keep an eye out for her, and thank her when you do! All of us at BPL wish her happy gardening, relaxing, and traveling to her heart’s content, and we thank her for so many wonderful years of service... and though Charlene has left us with amazing shoes to fill, we are so well positioned to succeed and continue her legacy of excellence.
~ Andy Cutko, Director, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands
Top of page
|
Fifty-acre Pond Cove Island features two miles of winding shoreline, gentle stone and cobble beaches suitable for landing kayaks and small boats, and open views of the Atlantic Ocean. The island's 37 acres of intertidal wetlands provide significant habitat for tidal waterfowl and wading birds.
Located in Englishman Bay about 1/3-mile from the popular Roque Bluffs State Park, Pond Cove Island will be open for hiking, picnicking, and birdwatching, with hunting, fishing, and trapping allowed under State Park rules. Additionally, the Bureau looks forward to developing on-island remote water-access campsites in partnership with the Maine Island Trails Association. The town boat launch on Schoppee Point Rd. provides the closest and easiest access to Pond Cove Island.
Acquisition of the island has been a priority for BPL for many years. Maine Coast Heritage Trust stepped in as the island's interim owner while a conservation outcome with BPL was developed. The Land for Maine's Future (LMF) Water Access Fund, North American Wetlands Conservation Act, and private contributions to Maine Coast Heritage Trust Funding made the acquisition possible.
For more information about Pond Cove Island, please contact the BPL Northern Regional Office at (207) 941-4014. Read the complete Press Release.
Top of page
|
 Off-season and winter camping areas are available, beginning on December 15 at select Maine State Parks, and on Public Lands. If you are new to winter camping, plan to camp at a Maine State Park first. These locations provide the challenge of winter camping and offer a good range of front country and remote sites to test your skills. Even for the experienced it is good to start the season off with an easily accessible location as a test run before heading out to more challenging terrain. Highly experienced winter campers, or those who will be led by a Registered Maine Guide, are ready for the remote settings found on Maine's Public Lands.
Top of page
The Bureau's ORV staff hosted a booth at the annual Maine Snowmobile Show at the Augusta Civic Center. This show is renowned as a one-stop location for meeting up with fellow riders, connecting with snowmobile clubs, seeing the latest gear and chatting with ORV professionals. It is all part of getting ready to ride. Here are some tips and resources so that you'll be ready when the snowpack is deep enough on your favorite trail.
Get Ready to Ride!
- Consider joining the Maine Snowmobile Association. You'll find clubs and riders near you, learn about trails, events and volunteer opportunities plus get the latest snowmobile news from around the state. And they'll alert you about the next Maine Snowmobile Show.
- Refresh your first aid kit/emergency repair kit.
- Inspect your snowmobile and perform seasonal maintenance.
- Inspect your riding gear for wear and tear and fix or replace as needed.
-
Register your snowmobile.
- Planning to rent a snowmobile? Here is a list of certified rental agencies.
Next month we will feature Snowmobile Safety as part of International Snowmobile Safety Week, January 15-23.
Top of page
|
The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) closed last week on the Madison Branch purchase from Pan Am Railways at the cost of just over a million dollars. The Land for Maine's Future Program (LMF) was a critical component to the States success in acquiring the Madison Branch rail segment from PanAm, contributing $508,000, nearly half of the funds necessary to complete the acquisition. The Northern Border Regional Commission was pivotal in matching the LMF funding.
Known as the Madison Branch, the 32-mile trail passes over the Kennebec River and the Carrabassett River, offering spectacular views. These water crossings are traversed with trestles that will eventually provide safe passage over these rivers for recreational purposes. When construction is complete, the trail will connect thousands of miles of local ATV and snowmobile trails and allow ATV riders and snowmobilers to travel from Oakland to Bingham and beyond, including the Moosehead Lake Region. The route will also be available for non-motorized recreation, including hikers, bikers, and skiers. Local communities and recreation advocates widely supported the purchase of the trail.
Conversion of the existing rail line into a recreational trail will require additional funding and may take two years. The Bureau of Parks and Lands Off-Road Vehicle Program looks forward to working with local clubs to implement the needed trail work and ongoing maintenance.
Read the complete Press Release.
Top of page
View from the rocky shore of Two Lights State Park.
Just a few of Maine's First Day Hike 2020 participants.
Program Listings:
Top of page
Maine State Parks Blend coffee by Wicked Joe, the Allagash Explorer, and a MOHF lottery ticket.
When you purchase gifts during this holiday season and throughout the New Year, please show your support for Maine's beautiful State Parks, Public Lands, trails, and conservation efforts. Here are a some suggestions for gifts that give back:
A small selection of the Maine State Park clothing available online for purchase.
Whereas by Layli Long Soldier
This collection of poems and narratives explores connectedness - to self, to family, to others, to history, to power, to language, to home, to nature. It is a book to be read slowly, absorbed, contemplated, internalized... and for many it may inspire an exploration of one's own connectedness.
~ Jocelyn Hubbell, Interpretive Specialist, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands.
Top of page
|
Send article suggestions or newsletter comments to Jocelyn Hubbell, Interpretive Specialist, webmaster, and newsletter editor for the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands.
|
