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Bureau of Parks and Lands
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December 2024

In this Issue:

* Director's Note: Celebrating 2024’s Successes! [ #link_1 ]
* Welcome Bill Beeaker to New Role as Recreation Specialist [ #link_2 ]
* Important Rail Trail Notice [ #link_12 ]
* Apply Now to be a Shore Corps Steward [ #link_4 ]
* Events & Programs: [ #link_5 ]
* Winter Solstice Walk at Kettle Cove State Park [ #link_8 ]
* First Day Hikes - Join us on New Year's Day for Guided Hikes and Self-guided Options [ #link_9 ]
* Maine State Parks at the Maine Celtics [ #link_10 ]
* Wabanaki Winter Market - 30th Anniversary Event! [ #link_11 ]
* Down East Sunrise Trail Village Access Project [ #link_3 ]
* The Maine Office of Tourism Would Like Your Input [ #link_6 ]
* Holiday Gifts that Support Maine's Iconic Places [ #link_7 ]

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Improvements at the summit of Mount Battie. [ [link removed] ]

Construction of an accessible walkway at Mt. Battie, Camden Hills State Park

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Director's Note: Celebrating 2024’s Successes!

As December’s long nights and short days offer a time to reflect on 2024, I’m struck again by our staff's dedication, creativity, and teamwork.  While much of what we accomplish happens quietly, on the ground, through the personal interactions with park visitors and the care with which we manage our land, there are several 2024  successes worth highlighting:


* For the third time in the last four years, BPL welcomed more than 3 million visitors to State Parks. Despite significant staffing challenges, State Parks staff once again stepped up to the challenge of managing our 48 state parks and historic sites.
* BPL staff, under the direction of David Rodrigues, Ron Hunt, Owen Blease, and Ryan Kerr, worked feverishly to meet the December 31 deadline to commit $50 million in Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan funds to state park improvement projects, storm recovery, and much-needed equipment. Infrastructure investments are being made in 26 State Parks, from Vaughn Woods State Park in South Berwick to Aroostook State Park in Presque Isle.
* Under Jocelyn Hubbell's leadership, BPL received a $200,000 grant from the Community Outdoor Recreation Assistance Recovery Program to increase accessibility through accessible trail design for Kennebec Highlands Public Land (led by Rex Turner), new beach wheelchairs at State Parks, and new winter gear for free loan during events. Interpretive and educational programs, including a project focused on Wabanaki culture and tradition, will be enhanced.
* Led by Doug Beck and BPL’s Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) team, we welcomed more than 100 state and federal agency representatives from across the country to a week-long annual conference of the National Association of Outdoor Recreation Liaison Officers (NASORLO) in Bar Harbor.
* We acquired several key Public Land additions: roughly 2,500 acres near the state’s new Perham Stream property near Phillips, and the 4,100-acre Square Lake Public Land in Aroostook County. Looking ahead, BPL has received funding commitments to conserve another six properties covering more than 40,000 acres.  We’re thankful for our conservation partners for much of the heavy lifting. 
* We’re thankful to Maine voters for approving the $30 million Trails Bond, which our Community Grants and Recreation Program will administer. Stay tuned for more details early in 2025!

Square Lake Public Land

Square Lake Public Land

~ Andy Cutko, Director, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands

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Welcome Bill Beeaker to New Role as Recreation Specialist

Bill Beaker, Outdoor Recreation Specialist, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands.

Bill Beeaker was born and raised in Maine. He grew up in Livermore and spent many summers on the shores of Sabbathday Lake in New Gloucester. He attended the University of Maine Orono and received his B.S. in Parks, Recreation and Tourism. From there, he moved to Monson, where he began working for the Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) at Peaks Kenny State Park. He held numerous positions there, eventually managing the park for six years. Developing the park’s group camping area was one notable achievement during his tenure at Peaks Kenny.

Bill left Peaks Kenny to work as a Recreation Ranger for BPL’s Public Lands in the Moosehead Region. This position allowed him to work on a larger landscape, maintaining the trails and campsites in the area. To achieve this, Bill collaborated with organizations such as Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Moosehead Trails, and Maine Conservation Corps. He then accepted a position as a trail coordinator with the State of Maine Off-Road Vehicle Program. In this role, Bill worked closely with snowmobile and ATV clubs in Somerset, Piscataquis, and Penobscot counties. A vital part of this position was acting as a communication link between the area clubs and the large landowners that allow trails on their lands.

Bill brings these skills and experiences to his new role as BPL’s Recreation Specialist and looks forward to continuing his career with the Bureau.

In his free time, Bill enjoys skiing, deer hunting, hiking, fishing, mountain biking, and gardening. He still lives in Monson with his partner Amy and their son Simon.

Congratulations Bill!

~ Rex Turner, Director of Planning and Acquisitions



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Important Rail Trail Notice

Wintertime on the Whistle Stop Rail Trail.

The Whistle Stop Trail, Four Seasons Adventure Trail, Kennebec Valley Trail, and Lagrange Rail Trail are closed for the season effective, 12/05/24, to all ORV use. Please obey posted closures in order to prevent further damage to the trails.

The trails remain open for non-motorized use such as walking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Thank you for helping us to prevent trail damage.

~ Joe Higgins, Supervisor, Off-Road Vehicle Program

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Apply Now to be a Shore Corps Steward

MCC Steward collecting data in a salt marsh.

The Shore Corps Stewards are a new individual placement available through the Maine Conservation Corps in 2025 that serve one-year terms, May 27, 2025 to May 22, 2026. Applications are due by February 24, 2025.

After receiving training from the DEP Nonpoint Source Training Center, Stewards will:


* perform outreach to educate community leaders and the general public about nature-based solutions;
* conduct site assessments for landowners advising them on green infrastructure opportunities, native plantings, stream smart principles, and other tactics to increase resilience;
* connect local communities to the strategies and activities included in Resilient Maine; and
* host demonstration projects on public properties to provide hands-on training to community members about nature-based solutions.

*Learn More and How to Apply*


* Become a Shore Corps Steward [ [link removed] ].
* View all MCC opportunities [ [link removed] ].

*Become a Host Site*


* Would your organization like to host a Shore Corps Steward [ [link removed] ]? Application deadline to host a steward is January 6, 2025.
* View all Host Site options [ [link removed] ].

~ Deidrah Stanchfield, MCC Steward Program Manager

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Events & Programs:

Winter Solstice Walk at Kettle Cove State Park

Winter Solstice Walk gathering at Kettle Cove State Park, Maine.

December 21, 2024
3:00-4:00 PM
Kettle Cove State Park, 49 Kettle Cove Road, Cape Elizabeth. Meet at the Park Maintenance Shop.

Join naturalist Jeanne Christie for a walk to the shore at Kettle Cove to learn a bit of ancient history, astronomy, stories of past cultures, and to reflect and celebrate the beginning of the longest night of the year. Free with paid park admission. View all the details [ [link removed] ].



First Day Hikes - Join us on New Year's Day for Guided Hikes and Self-guided Options

Couple enjoying the sunrise at a First Day Hike at Two Lights State Park, Maine.

Two First Day Hike participants enjoying the sunrise at Two Lights State Park.

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First Day Hikes logo. Hikes held in State Parks nationwide on January 1 each year.

Maine State Park First Day Hikes, part of the nationwide [ [link removed] ] initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outdoors, are a combination of led and self-guided hikes, as well as virtual visits to help you kick off 2024.

Join in on the fun and start out your New Year within the beauty and solace of a Maine State Park. Program listings are provided below. You can also download materials for self-guided hikes and view the virtual visits at BPL's First Day Hike page [ [link removed] ].

Program Listings:

* Camden Hills State Park [ [link removed] ], Camden
* Holbrook Island Sanctuary State Park [ [link removed] ], Brooksville
* Mount Blue State Park [ [link removed] ], Weld
* Two Lights State Park [ [link removed] ], Cape Elizabeth


Participants enjoying a sunrise First Day Hike at Two Lights State Park with Jeanne Christie. [ [link removed] ]

Participants enjoying a sunrise First Day Hike at Two Lights State Park with Jeanne Christie.

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Maine State Parks at the Maine Celtics

Maine Celtics logo. [ [link removed] ]

Maine State Parks will be at select Maine Celtics home games this winter. Mount Blue State Park hosted an information table with giveaways on November 22.

Show your support of Maine State Parks by attending the games at the Portland Expo, take part in the 50/50 raffle that benefits Maine State Parks on the nights we are there, and visit our table when you do!

See you on:


* December 7 - Holbrook Island Sanctuary
* January 10 – Reid State Park
* January 26 – Camden Hills State Park
* February 1 - Bradbury Mountain and Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park


Mt. Blue State Park staff with Maine Celtics game ball and referee.

Ranger Cody Drever and Mt. Blue Park Manager Casey Smedberg with the Maine Celtics game ball and referee.

Mount Blue State Park staff and table as the Maine Celtics home game on Nov. 22, 2024.

Mount Blue State Park table at the Maine Celtics home game on November 22. From left to right: Ranger Kevin Miller, Park Manager Casey Smedberg, and Ranger Cody Drever.

Mount Blue State Park's giveaway table at the Maine Celtics Nov. 22, 2024 home game.

Giveaways on the Mount Blue State Park table included forest health/don't move firewood mugs, koozies and Emerald Ash Borer tattoos, and Maine State Parks materials.

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Wabanaki Winter Market - 30th Anniversary Event!

Wabanaki Winter Market Raffle Basket by Kenny Keezer, Passamaquoddy.

Saturday, December 14, 9am – 3pm
Collins Center for the Arts [ [link removed] ], Orono, ME

The event is free and open to the public.

The *Wabanaki Winter Market* is New England’s largest holiday gathering of Wabanaki artists. This annual event features artists who have received national awards, as well as new artists representing the next generation of weavers.

The event provides the public with an opportunity to purchase Wabanaki art directly from the artists and to learn about these ancient traditions. 

Join the Hudson Museum [ [link removed] ] for a day that will showcase one-of-a-kind art forms (basketry, beadwork, wood carving, birchbark items), and maple syrup as well as demonstrations, storytelling, traditional music, drumming and dancing. Something for everyone!

Learn more about the annual Wabanaki Winter Market [ [link removed] ].

~ Courtesy posting for the Wabanaki Winter Market

(Photo: 2024 Friends of the Hudson Museum Raffle Basket by Kenny Keezer, Passamaquoddy. Photo courtesy of the Hudson Museum.)



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Down East Sunrise Trail Village Access Project

Down East Sunrise Trail Village Access Project [ [link removed] ]

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Fall colors behind bicycle riders on a break on the Down East Sunrise Trail.

The Sunrise Trail Coalition is working with Sunrise County Economic Council, with funding from the Maine Department of Transportation, to study connections between the Down East Sunrise Trail and village centers along the trail. Better integrating the DEST into these towns will help to improve wellness, connection with outdoor spaces, and town visitation.

Community members and trail users are encouraged to provide feedback on the Trail’s safety, access routes and other usage information by taking this Downeast Sunrise Trail Village Access Survey [ [link removed] ]. Filling it out will help ensure that STC is informed about trail user experience, wants and needs. Reach out to Livy Clarke, [email protected], with any questions.

~ Courtesy posting for the Island Institute

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The Maine Office of Tourism Would Like Your Input

Maine Office of Tourism logo: VisitMaine.com [ [link removed] ]

As the travel & tourism world adapts to shifting trends, Maine has been a leader in navigating those changes, thanks to past stakeholder input and guidance in the development of a Destination Management Plan [ [link removed] ] for the Maine Office of Tourism in 2022. Since launching the plan, the tourism landscape has continued to evolve. Your input, expertise, and perspective are important as the Maine Office of Tourism begins strategic planning for a Destination Management Plan: 2024 Reset that will integrate the next 5-Year Marketing & Development Strategy.  

Click here for a schedule of in-person and virtual listening sessions [ [link removed] ] and sign up to participate!

~ Courtesy posting for the Maine Office of Tourism



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Holiday Gifts that Support Maine's Iconic Places

Gifts to consider for the holidays: Maine State Park coffee, the Allagash Explorer, and MOHF Lottery Tickets.

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 some suggestions for gifts that give back:


* Annual Park Pass for purchase at the parks and online [ [link removed] ].
* Maine State Park branded clothing [ [link removed] ].
* Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund Lottery Ticket [ [link removed] ]
* Coffee at Wicked Joe online:
* Maine State Parks Blend [ [link removed] ]
* Allagash Wilderness Waterway Blend [ [link removed] ]

* Allagash Explorer [ [link removed] ] - A Take-along Companion for Maine's Wilderness Waterway
* Loon/Conservation License Plate information [ [link removed] ] - Order online [ [link removed] ] from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
* Snowmobile Trail Fund Sticker [ [link removed] ] at IF&W online

Buy Maine State Parks shirts and hats.

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www.ParksAndLands.com [ [link removed] ]

Send article suggestions or newsletter comments to Jocelyn Hubbell <[email protected]>, Interpretive Specialist, webmaster, and newsletter editor for the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands.

Read back issues of the newsletter [ [link removed] ].




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