Volunteers Keeping Trails Open and Wild: AMC Maine Chapter Trails – Year in Review

As we close out another year of stewardship, we want to recognize the incredible effort our volunteers and leaders put into caring for Maine’s trails. Together, you helped keep our backcountry access open, sustainable, and wild.

By the Numbers – 2025 Trail Stewardship

• 15+ projects completed across Maine
• 100+ volunteers gave their time and strength
• 860+ hours of trail stewardship
• 25+ miles of trails maintained
• 56+ blowdowns cleared
• 70+ drainages restored
• 6 rock steps built for long-lasting access
• Skills strengthened through chainsaw training, rock-work instruction, and more

These numbers reflect months of hard work, shared learning, and a strong community dedicated to sustainable trails — and they don’t even capture the strong connections we build while working together.

Where We Worked

From mountains to lakes to coastal preserves, our volunteers showed up across the state:

Appalachian Trail • Royal River Conservation Trust • Pleasant Mountain • Medawisla • Little Lyford • Baxter State Park • Northern Forest Canoe Trail • Midcoast Conservancy Preserves • Wolfe’s Neck Center

Each location benefited from hands-on care, and every trip helped support the people, ecosystems, and landscapes we deeply value.

Volunteer Recognition – 2025 Awards (10/2024 – 9/2025):

The Marian Pychowska Award

Honoring exceptional dedication and leadership in trail stewardship. Recipients have recorded over 96 hours of volunteer time:Cassandra Haskell, Cassandra Shaffer, Josh Barlow , Marc Roy, Mora Judd, Peter Moulton, Rota Knott, and Susan Cottle.

The Warren Hart Award

Recognizing extraordinary service and long-term commitment. Recipients have recorded over 224 hours: Peter Roderick, Phillip Coyne, and Scott Guay.

We are deeply grateful for the passion, time, and leadership these individuals bring to the AMC community.

Leadership Transition

After serving as Trails Chair since 2019, Phil Coyne will be stepping down at the end of the year. Phil extends heartfelt thanks to every volunteer, co-leader, partner, and supporter who helped build a strong, resilient Trails program over the past six years.

Stepping into the role is Marc Roy, who has been deeply involved in AMC trail stewardship for many years — most recently as an AMC Trail Adopter Coordinator in the Maine Woods Initiative. Marc brings a kind, steady hand, a collaborative spirit, and a deep love for the trail systems we care for. We look forward to his leadership in the years ahead.

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who came out this year — whether you swung a tool, led a trip, moved rock, or hiked / paddled in to support the crew. Your dedication keeps our trails safe, sustainable, and inspiring for all who explore them.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Our plans for next year are already taking shape:

• June Gorman/Little Lyford Bunkhouse) – June 19-22
• June Medawisla – June 26–29
• September Medawisla – Sept. 11–14
• October Gorman/Little Lyford – Oct. 9-12

We also want to expand our presence in Southern Maine — and to do that, we need more leaders to help support these great trail systems.

See you on the trail in 2026!