In February I spent five days with students from Chewonki’s Maine Coast Semester exploring Katahdin Woods and Waters, the area east of Baxter State Park proposed for inclusion in the National Park system. The Maine Coast Semester is a four-month-long program for high school juniors. In the fall and again in the winter/spring, 42 participants Read More
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
Widespread Support in Maine, Across U.S. for New National Park
Petition Signers in 80% of Maine Towns, 50 States, and 53 Nations News release The petition was signed by more than 13,500 individuals living in 371 Maine towns, all 50 states, and 53 countries. The group also released a list of endorsements from groups, businesses, and individuals, and a compilation of public opinion surveys documenting Read More
200 Maine Businesses Announce Support for New National Park and National Recreation Area
A group of business owners gathered today in Bangor to announce its strong support for the creation of a new National Park and National Recreation Area on 150,000 acres of land east of Baxter State Park. The group today sent letters to Maine’s Congressional delegation urging their support for the project and released a “conceptual Read More
Historic Trails Beckon New Users to Katahdin Area
Mountain bikers and other adventurers are discovering the travel corridors used for centuries by Indians. By Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story TOWNSHIP 4, RANGE 8 — Travel corridors used for centuries by Indians and more recently loggers are being repurposed as recreation trails for mountain bikers, hikers, Nordic skiers and horseback Read More
Wild Ride on Maine River Highlights North Woods’ Potential
The East Branch of the Penobscot River runs through the new Katahdin Woods & Waters Recreation Area. By Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story TOWNSHIP 5, RANGE 8 — Maps and guidebooks describe Stair Falls as a series of eight ledges that straddle the East Branch of the Penobscot River, just outside Read More
Does Northern Maine’s Economic Future Depend on a Walk in the Park?
Join us on a tour, and see for yourself whether this rugged escape can – as some imagine – become a lucrative tourist destination. By Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story TOWNSHIP 3, RANGE 7 – Few hikers cross the summit of 1,964-foot Deasey Mountain, a remote peak east of Baxter State Read More
Wildlife in the Wild Lands of Northern Maine
‘I took at trip to the EPI lands proposed for a new National Park and National Recreation Area this week. There is a lovely walk to one of many small ponds that is now marked along the Katahdin Loop Road. I had the great privilege of seeing a mother moose and her calf chilling out in Read More
Skiing at Katahdin Woods and Waters: A Glorious Trip
Some friends and I headed to Patten and turned west toward the North Gate of Baxter State Park. We stopped at Matagamon Wilderness Store and Cabins, who, with Bowlin Camps, have been grooming 18 miles of trails along the East Branch on the Elliotsville Plantation land that I hope will become the next national park. Read More
New Studies Show National Park Would Boost Maine’s Economy, Quimby’s Son Says
By Nick Sambides Jr., BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story BANGOR, Maine — Economic studies commissioned by Roxanne Quimby’s land-holdings company show that a 75,000-acre national park and same-size recreation area in the Katahdin region would create 450-1,055 jobs, her son said Thursday. Lucas St. Clair presented the studies during a meeting with the Read More