Wilderness Matters Newsletter – Fall 2024

Maine AMC’s FallFest & Annual Gathering Weekend!

Join us for an unforgettable weekend at Camp Wavus in Jefferson, Maine, set on the beautiful shores of Damariscotta Lake. This year’s FallFest & Annual Gathering offers a range of outdoor activities on Saturday and Sunday!

Saturday evening features our Annual Business Meeting, followed by a recognition of members and leaders, and an engaging presentation by our featured AMC speaker. For more details and to register click here or visit our chapter’s website at www.amcmaine.org.

Support Maine’s Trails: Vote YES on Question #4

This fall, Maine voters have an important opportunity to support the future of our state’s trails by voting YES on Question #4, the $30 million Maine Trails Bond. Over 4 years, $30 million would be distributed in grants to municipalities and non-governmental organizations for critical trail projects that will restore, expand and increase accessibility to our trails. This first-ever Maine Trails Bond is a response to record levels of trail use and enjoys broad bi-partisan support.

Nurturing New Outdoor Leaders

The AMC Maine Chapter is a community of individuals leading the way in caring for and exploring the natural world. Developing new outdoor leaders is essential to continuing and expanding our crucial work.

As the Maine Chapter offers more activities and events, the need for more trained outdoor leaders is great. Leaders guide members on varied and unforgettable outings in every season. They are the backbone of the Maine Chapter.

Young Members’ MWI Inter-Chapter Trail Work Weekend

The 20s and 30s/Young Members’ most anticipated event of the year is the annual MWI Inter-Chapter Trail work Weekend. This past August, it was held at AMC’s Little Lyford Lodge. We had 29 participants from three New England chapters (Boston, Maine, and Worcester).

The group collectively contributed about 300 hours of work over the course of the weekend! This helped complete the AMC Professional Trail Crew’s multi-year project on the Henderson Brook Trail. We made new trail, regraded existing sections, and repaired installations from prior years. The work was tough but meaningful.