For Immediate Release
May 20, 2020

Media Contacts
Warren Whitney, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, wwhitney@mcht.org
Jeremy Cluchey, The Nature Conservancy in Maine, jeremy.cluchey@tnc.org
Jim Britt, DACF, jim.britt@maine.gov

Get Outside for Physical and Mental Wellbeing but do it Safely.

AUGUSTA, Maine – Biking, boating, hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and other outdoor activities are great ways to stay healthy in the age of COVID-19 – provided they are conducted in accordance with all public health restrictions and guidance. As summer weather is fast approaching, Maine’s conservation and recreation communities, natural resource agencies, and outdoor brands developed the following checklists to help us all enjoy Maine’s outdoors in ways that are safe and responsible during this difficult time. Before you hit the trail, cast a line, or launch a canoe, please be sure to:

Find the Right Time and Place

Know What’s Available: Consider visiting a nearby Wildlife Management Area, or a less-trafficked state park, public land, or local land trust (Maine Trail Finder is a great resource!)
Check before you go: While some popular conservation lands have closed recently due to overuse and crowding, the vast majority remains open to the public. Visit websites to see the latest information on closures or conditions. Please respect all property closures.
Have a plan B: If the parking lot is full, the destination is too crowded. If your first destination has a busy parking lot, go to the next spot on your list!
Avoid peak times: Get out earlier or later in the day.

Be Prepared Before Heading Out

Expect limited services: Facilities like public restrooms could be closed, so plan accordingly.
Dress for success: Be aware of current conditions and bring appropriate gear to match those conditions. Local outdoor brands are open for online sales and are available to give advice on appropriate gear and equipment.
Support local businesses: Many local businesses – from restaurants and retailers to guides and lodges – are working hard to provide services in ways that are safe and in keeping with public health rules and guidance. If you’re comfortable, consider finding ways to support them while you’re enjoying the outdoors.
Don’t take risks: Stick to familiar terrain and avoid unnecessary chances to avoid injuries, which add stress on first responders and medical resources.
Be aware of the rules: Check before you go to see what activities are allowed. If dogs are permitted remember to bring a leash and to properly dispose of waste.
Watch out for ticks and biting insects: Wear light-colored pants, closed-toe shoes, and apply EPA-approved bug repellent.
Leave home prepared with sanitizer and disinfectant.

Heed All COVID-19 Health Warnings

Practice social distancing: Stay at least six feet away from other people who do not live in your household. If necessary, step aside when passing other people on the trail.
Don’t linger: Shorten your stay when visiting natural stopping points such as waterfalls, summits, and viewpoints so everyone can enjoy them while maintaining a safe distance.
Bring a mask: When you’re in the vicinity of others, even with six feet of separation, a mask will help keep everyone safer.
Don’t touch: Avoid touching signs, kiosks, buildings, and benches to minimize the potential spread of the virus.
If you’re sick, stay home: It puts others at risk when you leave home while exhibiting symptoms related to COVID-19, or if you have recently been exposed to the virus.
If we all follow these guidelines and put public health first, we can enjoy Maine’s natural resources in safe and responsible ways as we work through this difficult time together.

Note:  The Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust recently lost one of its board members, George Appell.  George had a tremendous impact on the organization and conservation efforts in the Appalachian Trail region in Maine.  Rather than summarize his life, we’ve chosen to share reflections from those on our board who knew him well.

Tony Barrett

I met George at his first Maine AT Land Trust Board meeting, accompanied by his wife Laura. In the early Board meetings, there were a number of husband/wife teams who attended meetings (i.e. Dean & Shelia Bennett and Dain & Vera Trafton) so important to getting the land trust off the ground.

George lived in Phillips which is very close to the section of the Appalachian Trail that I have maintained for the last 20 years. George was very interested in the A.T. (hence his interest in joining the land trust Board) and we would chat about the latest trail community news. I often would copy him on my MATC trail work reports. From early prioritization work, the land trust focused on priority blocks in the High Peaks.  When the 1,200-acre Ridge/Lone Mountain parcel just missed Forest Legacy funding in 2009, George personally stepped up to purchase the parcel from Wagner/Bayroot. He set up a conservation organization to manage the land (he later transferred ownership to the Northeast Wilderness Trust).  As I conducted boundary monitoring (the Ridge parcel abuts the A.T. corridor for almost a mile) I would copy George on my monitoring reports. On several occasions, I would stop by his house (since he lived so close) and we would talk about the trail and this parcel in particular.  I don’t believe that George ever visited this land parcel.  I created a map and a series of photos so that he could take a ‘virtual’ walk-about on the critical land that he was protecting.

George’s sister, Helen Norton, lives in Harpswell (my hometown).  She is also very involved with land conservation where I got to know her through various projects in town and the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust. George also had a Harpswell connection through his ownership of a small island in Middle Bay.  George would migrate to Harpswell in the Fall to observe the seasonal hawk migration along the coast – he seemed to me to be an avid birder. My one regret is that I never accepted George’s invitation to join him on the island to watch the hawks.  He may be flying with them now.

Pete Ventre

I will miss George. I knew George professionally as well as personally through the Land Trust. I will especially miss our conversations often over lunch in Portland. George was exceptionally curious. He could engage in conversation knowledgeably on most any topic.  He was a most kind hearted and generous person as anyone who knew him would testify. He and Laura had a truly special relationship as they shared their work and were never apart.  She would happily accompany George to the Yukon or Borneo with enthusiasm.  I always enjoyed being with them together.  Yes, I will miss him.

Bill Plouffe

George was both a generous philanthropist and a conservation philosopher who offered an important and distinct voice in the conservation conversation.

Lloyd Griscom

George Appell was a friend who cared deeply about nature and biodiversity and ecology, but he cared mostly about results. Having helped the Maine A.T. Land Trust through a period of transition, the following graph shows why he was proud of helping the Maine A.T. Land Trust achieve these results:

Pete McKinley

I will miss George’s curiosity about the living world around us, whether insects, birds, plants or people, whether near to us in Maine or in far off islands and waters, he wanted to understand and he wanted to conserve the diversity of life in all its expression.  This was clear in his life’s work and in the course of many spirited conversations.  He sought to understand nature and take action to conserve nature and leaves us with inspiration to keep asking questions and keep taking the bold and creative action needed.

Simon Rucker

George Appell grew up on a farm in York, Pennsylvania, and was a world-renowned anthropologist specializing in research on Borneo.  He held two advanced degrees from Harvard University and lived in Phillips, Maine.

George’s bio, which appears elsewhere on this website, is brief but underscores what everybody who met him came to understand: George’s ideas and accomplishments were so big that no description I write can really do them justice.

George joined the Board of the Maine A.T. Land Trust in 2009 and, with his wife Laura, had an immediate impact on the direction of the organization right up until his passing.  When I became Executive Director in 2014 one of the first things the organization did was to pass a resolution in support of climate corridors, climate refugia, and ecological diversity and connectivity.  This was largely at George’s behest.  At that time these were still relatively new concepts; the conservation world did not begin to follow his lead for a period of years.

George was also a stalwart champion of biodiversity on a global scale, having seen the destruction of forests in Borneo when he was working as an anthropologist with the Rungus Momogon people.  This focus served to remind the Maine A.T. Land Trust of the larger implications of our conservation efforts here in Maine.  We might be working to protect a 5,000-acre forested property in the High Peaks, but the ecological values here are tied to a larger world of biodiversity, world ecosystems, and the web of life that surrounds us.  George was a constant champion of these and they are permanent fixtures in the strategies the organizations uses to protect land.

Despite George’s accomplishments, he was an easy person to be around.  When I first met him (and Laura) in their living room we sat for four hours.  Yes, we discussed land conservation and the direction of the Maine A.T. Land Trust, but the bulk of the time was devoted to storytelling.  I spent many afternoons in that living room or in George’s office discussing current conservation projects but mostly just talking about whatever we felt like talking about.  Sometimes we agreed on things, sometimes we didn’t, but it was always time well spent and you knew that spending the afternoon with him would make you a better person.

One of the great regrets we all have in life is when somebody we know passes away without having told us a story.  George and Laura’s house was filled with artifacts from their adventures, all of which told such stories, some of which most of us will never get to hear.  A photo of them on the MacKenzie River, a place which is still remote and inaccessible to most people but one to which they traveled to in 1957.  A poster-sized map of Borneo (in Dutch) which inspired George to say, “Remind me to tell you something about that map.”  His office, which was filled with more books per square foot than any library I had been inside of.  His rifle hanging over the doorway.  All of these things were loaded with stories that I will no longer get to hear.

 

 

The Maine A.T. Land Trust is VERY pleased to announce the addition of three new directors who will have a big impact on the organization in the years to come.  The board of this organization is comprised of individuals who have professional skills that contribute to the work of conservation of the the Appalachian Trail region in Maine.  As you might expect, there are trail maintainers and ecologists and former thru-hikers on the board who shape the science and resource management of lands along the A.T. corridor.  But there are also many directors who help the Maine A.T. Land Trust in ways that aren’t always apparent when you are out on a trail, or paddling on a pond, or snowshoeing through the woods.  This board has conservation finance experts who help us navigate complicated land transactions and tax issues.  It has attorneys who have decades of experience that they can put to use when we acquire a property interest.  It has marketing and development professionals who ensure that this relatively small nonprofit can have an outsized impact from the local to the national level.

The new board members include Mary, who works for Conservation Law Foundation in Boston; Katie, who is a healthcare manager at Maine Medical Center in Portland; and Kayla, Lead Analyst of Strategic Sourcing at Pemberton & Associates.  They will provide valuable skills in outreach, marketing and guidance conservation-related issues.  All three are eager to get out in the landscape for stewardship duties and community hikes, too!

Please join us in welcoming Mary, Katie and Kayla to the board of the Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust!

For information on all of the board of directors, please head to this page.  

As we all continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic in our own lives, the Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust wanted to keep all our supporters and hikers informed about the status of our Community Hikes program for the summer season.  Outdoor activity is proving to be a great option for all of us since it’s safe, free and healthy.  We encourage all of you to find places that you can easily travel to and recreate as the weather improves.

At this time, the Community Hikes program continues to be on hold pending an easing of restrictions on the Appalachian Trail and an easing of transmission of cases of COVID-19.  The chief concern is the safety of hikers, staff, volunteers, first responders and the communities we travel to and depend on when heading into the backcountry.  There are also other issues which can’t be avoided at this time.

• Carpooling and trailhead access.  Carpooling is a big part of our Community Hikes program and with social distancing guidelines in place, this is not possible.  Not only is the environmental impact greater when you have nine cars traveling instead of three, but many of the trailheads we use would not be able to accomodate more than a few vehicles.  With so many others starting to hike, there is a real risk of trailhead parking areas filling up before our groups arrive.

• Crowding on the trail.  Social distancing is difficult to maintain on narrow paths and is even more difficult to maintain in large groups.  Gathering places on the A.T. in Maine are often small and activities like lunch and rest breaks would be difficult on some sections of trail.  Finally, lending a helping hand to others would be impossible.

• Safety.  Hiking is a physical activity and we need to lend each other a hand – to help somebody up over a scramble, get a water bottle out of a pack, or lend a band-aid.  Currently, we can’t really do any of those things due to transmission risk.  In the unlikely event that outside help was needed from search and rescue personnel, all of those individuals would be similarly put at risk.  One person could potentially impact the safety of twenty or more people who have come to that person’s aid.

• Community impact.  Many communities in Maine have an older demographic and due to size, they will not be able to accommodate many visitors.  Restrooms will be closed or limited, stores will be limiting access due to space issues, and public health facilities can quickly become overwhelmed if there is a rescue or other event.  Pulling resources away from towns at a time when they need them most does them a disservice.

Finally, on a brighter note, we wanted to extend our great thanks to our supporters and all of you who help make the Appalachian Trail the amazing place that it is.  For the first time in five years the Maine A.T. Land Trust will not be out with you on the A.T. in Maine this summer.  We are hopeful that the Community Hikes program will be back up and running again at a future date!  Check this space for info.  As soon as it’s safe, we can have hikes starting as soon as the weekend after.

For A.T. closure updates, please continue to check Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s update page.

Reposted from Maine’s Conservation Community

For Immediate Release
April 2, 2020

Media Contacts
Warren Whitney, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, wwhitney@mcht.org
Jeremy Cluchey, The Nature Conservancy in Maine, jeremy.cluchey@tnc.org
Jim Britt, DACF, jim.britt@maine.gov

Three Steps for Mainers to Follow Before Heading Outdoors

AUGUSTA, Maine – The current “Stay Healthy at Home” mandate identifies “engaging in outdoor exercise activities, such as walking, hiking, running, or biking” as essential personal activities, provided they are conducted in accordance with all public health restrictions and guidance. Maine’s conservation community, natural resource agencies, and outdoor brands want everyone to have the opportunity to get outside during this challenging time.

Most of our publicly accessible conservation lands are available for healthy outdoor recreation. Still, we all must do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19 and prevent unnecessary stress on our Maine Warden Service, Forest Rangers, and first responders.

While some popular conservation lands have closed recently due to overuse and crowding, the vast majority remains open to the public. As spring weather arrives in Maine, it is critical that all individuals and families who head outdoors follow three simple steps:

• Find the Right Time and Place
• Be Prepared Before Heading Out
• Heed All COVID-19 Health Warnings

The following checklists will help us all enjoy Maine’s outdoors in ways that are safe and responsible during this difficult time. Before you hit the trail, cast a line, or launch a canoe, please be sure to:

 Find the Right Time and Place

• Know What’s Close to Home: Consider visiting a nearby Wildlife Management Area, or a less-trafficked state park, public land, or local land trust (Maine Trail Finder is a great resource!)
• Check before you go: Visit websites to see the latest information on closures or conditions. Please respect all property closures.
• Have a plan B: If the parking lot is full, the destination is too crowded. If your first destination has a busy parking lot, go to the next spot on your list!
• Avoid peak times: Get out earlier or later in the day.
• Recharge in your backyard and neighborhood!: Spring in Maine means there is a lot to see and explore right in our own yards.

Be Prepared Before Heading Out

• Expect limited services: Facilities like public restrooms are likely closed, so plan accordingly.
• Pack snacks and water: Do what you can to avoid having to make stops along the way.
• Dress for success: It is spring in Maine, so trails are likely to be wet, muddy, slippery, or icy; bring appropriate gear to match the conditions. Local outdoor brands are open for online sales and are available to give advice on appropriate gear and equipment.
• Don’t take risks: Stick to easier terrain to avoid injuries, which add stress on first responders and medical resources.
• Watch out for ticks: Wear light-colored pants, closed-toe shoes, and apply EPA-approved bug repellent.

Heed All COVID-19 Health Warnings

• Practice social distancing: Stay at least six feet away from other people who do not live in your household. If necessary, step aside when passing other people on the trail. And remember that groups of 10 or more are prohibited.
• Don’t linger: Shorten your stay when visiting natural stopping points such as waterfalls, summits, and viewpoints so everyone can enjoy them while maintaining a safe distance.
• Don’t touch: Avoid touching signs, kiosks, buildings, and benches to minimize the potent spread of the virus.
• If you’re sick, stay home: It puts others at risk when you leave home while exhibiting symptoms related to COVID-19, or if you have recently been exposed to the virus.

If we all follow these guidelines and put public health first, we can enjoy Maine’s natural resources in safe and responsible ways as we work through this difficult time together.

###

Appalachian Mountain Club
Center for Community GIS
Forest Society of Maine
Maine Audubon
Maine Coast Heritage Trust
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Maine Land Trust Network
Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation
Maine Outdoor Brands
Maine Trails Coalition
The Nature Conservancy in Maine

That notice filled Simon’s truck pretty quickly with three members of the Ladies Adventure Club, an outing club for women in Maine. Three others met Simon’s crew at the trailhead off Route 17, to snowshoe into the Four Ponds Public Reserve Land by the Height of Land scenic view point. We made space in the lot for the snowmobiles; we were the only hikers, and after a group photo at the vista over Mooselookmeguntic Lake – Bemis Mountain was shrouded in clouds – we jabbed the claws of our snowshoes into the ice, and moved from the roadside into the wind-protected Appalachian Trail. 10:00am.