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Bureau of Parks and Lands
[ [link removed] ]
January 2025

In this Issue:

* Director’s Note: Securing Lakeshore Access in Washington County [ #link_1 ]
* We'd Like to Hear From You - Please Complete A Quick Newsletter Survey [ #link_16 ]
* Support What You Love - Donate to Maine State Parks and Public Lands [ #link_15 ]
* Wayne Harriman Retires from Maine State Parks [ #link_12 ]
* Camping Reservations Opening Day 2025 [ #link_6 ]
* Apply Now for the AWW Artist Residency [ #link_10 ]
* Work for Maine State Parks for the Summer or a Career! [ #link_9 ]
* Get Outdoor Skills, Job Experience, and Great Training - Apply With the Maine Conservation Corps [ #link_14 ]
* Operation "Snowy Beach" & Reid State Park [ #link_7 ]
* Events and Programs: [ #link_2 ]
* Winter Fun Days [ #link_4 ]
* Ski & Snowshoe Trailers Schedule - Winter 2025 [ #link_13 ]
* Maine State Parks at Select Maine Celtics Games [ #link_5 ]
* Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Updated Map and Information [ #link_8 ]
* Is that Ice Safe? Tips for Checking Ice Conditions [ #link_3 ]
* International Snowmobile Safety Week: January 11-19 [ #link_11 ]

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Director’s Note: Securing Lakeshore Access in Washington County

Wetlands along the East Macias River on the new Hadley Lake parcel.

Above: Wetlands along the East Macias River on the new Hadley Lake parcel. Photo by Andy Cutko.

Somewhere around fifteen years ago, I was paddling along the pristine and undeveloped northeast shore of Hadley Lake in Washington County. I was headed, along with my Maine Natural Areas Program colleague Colleen Ryan, to map and monitor an extensive wetland complex along the East Machias River within the Bureau’s Rocky Lake Ecological Reserve. I recall thinking, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if the state could add that property to our Public Lands someday?’

Wetlands along the East Machias River.

Above: Wetlands along the East Machias River. Below: Hadley Lake shoreline. Photos by Andy Cutko.

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Hadley Lake shoreline.

With a big assist from the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) program, that wish has come true! In December, the Bureau purchased a 610-acre tract from Cobscook Shores, Inc. that features a mile of shoreline and wetlands on the East Machias River and a half mile of shoreline on Hadley Lake. Cobscook Shores, Inc. will retain a small parcel, including a lovely little beach, that will be open to the public for camping, serving as a stopover point for those paddling the East Machias. The Bureau’s land will forever be available to the public for hunting and fishing. In addition to the USFWS, we thank the Maine Coast Heritage Trust for facilitating the NAWCA funding and consultants Jerry Bley and Avery Day for spearheading the legal work.

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

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We'd Like to Hear From You - Please Complete A Quick Newsletter Survey

Please complete our 5-question survey to help us better understand what you think about our monthly newsletter and the best way to deliver it to you. *Take the Survey Now. [ [link removed] ]*

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Support What You Love - Donate to Maine State Parks and Public Lands

Moosehead Lake West Outlet.

Your gift to Maine State Parks and Public Lands will directly support what you love about them, such as advancing recreational and educational opportunities, conservation, land acquisition, and land management purposes. You can choose to give directly to the park of your choice, give a general donation to “All Maine State Parks and Historic Sites” for the most needed projects at State Parks and Historic Sites, or choose the “Any Public Lands” button to go toward the greatest need at any Public Land. *Please Make a Donation [ [link removed] ].*



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Wayne Harriman Retires from Maine State Parks

Wayne Harriman, State Park Maintenance Coordinator, retired from Maine State Parks on December 18, 2024. Wayne began his career with Parks in 2010 as an Assistant Park Ranger at Swan Lake State Park. After a couple of seasons at Swan Lake, he accepted the Park Ranger position at Lake Saint George, where he was a highly valued team member, always willing to do any job. Unfortunately for Lake Saint George, he was lured away from that position by Cobscook Bay State Park, where he accepted the year-round Ranger position in 2016. He became a tremendous asset to Cobscook Bay with his positive attitude and ability to get things done when needed. In the spring of 2021, family commitments led Wayne back to the Ranger position at Lake Saint George until he was stolen by the Regional Maintenance Team in 2022, becoming the Fort Knox Cluster Maintenance Coordinator. Wayne’s knowledge and expertise with equipment and logging-related things will be hard to replace. He was instrumental in the initial opening of the roads at Lily Bay State Park after the great windstorm of 2022, which knocked hundreds of trees down. We wish Wayne well and hope to see him visit Maine State Parks for years to come.

~ Matthew Hamilton, Northern Regional State Park Manager

Wayne Harriman with his grandchildren.

Wayne Harriman with his grandchildren.

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Camping Reservations Opening Day 2025

Campsite with a dome tent and a grill with hotdogs and a kettle on the fire.

Book your summer solace! Camping reservations begin in February. Check out the State Park Campgrounds on the campground maps page where you can print campground maps and view campsites on Google Earth [ [link removed] ].

*Please note* the two reservation start dates: 2/3 and 2/6, and the separate reservation process for the Group Camping [ [link removed] ] and Picnic Shelter [ [link removed] ] reservations that also begin on 2/3. Minimum and maximum stay reminders are listed at the bottom of this article.

*Please also note* that *reservations will not be taken for* Aroostook and Cobscook Bay State Parks until after the construction end date has been confirmed. Presently both parks are closed to ensure that major improvements can proceed safely. FMI: Matthew Hamilton, Northern Regional State Park Manager.

On Monday, February 3 at 9:00 a.m. EST*:

* *Campground Reservations Opens for:*
* *Lily Bay State Park and Sebago Lake State Park* on Monday, February 3 at 9:00 a.m. EST***
* Sebago Lake State Park requires a minimum 4-night stay if you make your reservation during February for the camping season.
* Online Reservations and reservation information is at www.CampWithME.com [ [link removed] ]
* ***Storm Date if Maine State Government is closed - Tuesday, February 4, 2025.

* *Group Camping and Picnic Shelter Reservations* also begin
on February 3 at 9:00 EST***
* Call the park directly; online reservations are not available.
* Group Camping [ [link removed] ] reservation information and phone numbers.
* Group Picnic Shelter [ [link removed] ] reservation information and phone numbers.

* ***Storm Date if Maine State Government is closed - Tuesday, February 4, 2025.

On Thursday, February 6 at 9:00 a.m. EST**

* *All Maine State Park Campground Reservations Open* - Thursday, February 6 at 9:00 a.m. EST****
* Online Reservations and reservation information is at www.CampWithME.com [ [link removed] ]
* ****Storm Date if Maine State Government is closed - Friday, February 7, 2025.

Reminders about Number of Nights/Minimum and Maximum Stay:

*Minimum Stay*


* Sebago Lake State Park requires a minimum 4-night stay if you make your reservation during February for the camping season.
* Weekend Minimum Requirement Friday & Saturday 2 night stay
* When booking a reservation on or after July 1, a 1-night minimum stay is available, including weekends, at all parks.

*Maximum Stay*


* 14 nights per person, per State Park from the last Saturday in June through the 3rd Saturday in August.

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Apply Now for the AWW Artist Residency

AWW Artist Residency logo.

Apply now for the Allagash Wilderness Waterway Artist Residency. New this year, the selected visual artist will receive a $1,000. stipend from the Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation.

Read all the details to find out what the selected artist will receive, what is required of the artist, a sample application, and how to apply. [ [link removed] ]

The application closes on Monday, February 3, 2025.

Good luck!

~ Mark Deroche, Superintendent of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway [ [link removed] ]

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Work for Maine State Parks for the Summer or a Career!

Shoreline Trail view at Camden Hills State Park, Maine.

Shoreline Trail view at Camden Hills State Park.

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Maine State Park Lifeguards at Popham Beach with Lifeguard Supervisor Sean Vaillancourt.

*What are you waiting for?* Ever dream of working outdoors in a beautiful setting during the summer or for a lifetime? Maine State Parks and Public Lands announce seasonal positions each winter to staff our Parks, Historic Sites, and Public Lands. Permanent positions are announced year-round as they open.

*Become a Lifeguard* - Love the water and the beach? Make it your office this summer! Become a Maine State Park Lifeguard and help keep our waters safe. No prior lifeguard experience is needed to apply, Learn more [ [link removed] ] about becoming a Maine State Park lifeguard.

For information about upcoming lifeguard courses in your area and lifeguard program information, call or text Maine State Park Lifeguard Coordinator Sean Vaillancourt at (207) 557-2391.

*Become a Park or Historic Site Manager, Ranger, Assistant Ranger, Laborer, or a Customer Representative Assistant *- Learn more [ [link removed] ] about these great outdoor jobs.

Read about all the seasonal and year-round positions within the Bureau of Parks and Lands, and view the current job openings at our Careers and Seasonal Jobs page [ [link removed] ].

~ Sean Vaillancourt, Maine State Park Lifeguard Supervisor and Manager of Popham Beach State Park

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Get Outdoor Skills, Job Experience, and Great Training - Apply With the Maine Conservation Corps

Maine Conservation Corps DNA photo. [ [link removed] ]

*The Maine Conservation Corps (MCC) is accepting applications now for:*


* Field Team Leader/Roving Leader - from March 17 to October 24, 2025
* Field Team Members:
* from June 9 to October 2025
* from June 9 to August 2025
* from August 11 to October 10, 2025

* Assistant Team Leader - from June 9 to October 10, 2025
* Environmental Steward - from April 28 to October 10, 2025
* Shore Corps Steward - from May 27, 2025 to May 22, 2026

Learn more and apply [ [link removed] ].

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Operation "Snowy Beach" & Reid State Park

Reid State Park Manager Haylee Parsons with her parents at a DOD conference in Washington, DC.

Park Manager Haylee Parsons with her parents Robert and Morgan Parsons at the Washington Hilton, DOD Conference in Washington, DC.

Operation “Snowy Beach” was a training held at Reid State Park during the 1970’s. Prior to this, the Park was also used for similar training in the 1940s. This training included military personnel arriving at Reid by vessels and helicopters to participate in survival, amphibious, and firing techniques on Mile Beach and the woodlands within the park. The Department of Defense has been conducting research at Reid State Park in conjunction with State Park Staff to determine where any military ordinance may be and gain a better understanding of how ordinance moves in the sand within such a large tidal zone. This past December, the DOD held an annual Energy and Environment Innovation Symposium in Washington DC; one of the conference topics was the research being conducted at Reid. The DOD asked me, Park Manager Haylee Parsons, to participate in the conference from a stakeholder’s perspective about the research and to talk about Reid State Park in further depth. This has been a great experience partnering with the DoD on this project and having the chance to go to DC and talk about everything that encompasses Reid State Park, which makes it the wonderful place it always has been and will continue to be!

~ Haylee Parsons, Reid State Park Manager

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Events and Programs:

Winter Fun Days

Celebrate the joys of winter by joining us at one or all of our Winter Fun Days - Take It Outside events that begin in February. Get them on your calendar now. They feature lots of winter fun for all ages and reduced entry rates; and Holbrook Island Sanctuary is always free! 

*February 8* - Mount Blue State Park, Weld
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Read all the Details [ [link removed] ].

*February 8* - Holbrook Island Sanctuary, Brooksville
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Read all the details [ [link removed] ].

*February 15* - IFW Winter Extravaganza at Range Pond State Park
Hold the date. More details coming soon!

*February 19 & 20* - Range Pond State Park, Poland
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Read all the details [ [link removed] ].

*February 22* - Camden Hills State Park
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Read all the details [ [link removed] ].

View all the winter events [ [link removed] ].

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Ski & Snowshoe Trailers Schedule - Winter 2025

A Ski & Snowshoe Trailer loaning gear at a Maine State Park.

A Ski & Snowshoe Trailer loaning gear at a Maine State Park.

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Winter 2025 Maine State Park Ski & Snowshoe Trailers schedule. [ [link removed] ]

Click on the Maine State Park Ski & Snowshoe Trailer Schedule to download it as a PDF.

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Maine State Parks at Select Maine Celtics Games

Maine Celtics logo [ [link removed] ]

Show your support for Maine State Parks and the Maine Celtics [ [link removed] ] by attending the games at the Portland Expo listed below. The 50/50 raffle benefits Maine State Parks on the nights we are there.

Stop by the State Park table to get information and giveaways, including outreach materials provided by the Cumberland County Soil & Water Conservation District purchased with a grant from the USDA APHIS to conduct outreach and education to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive forest pests throughout Maine.

*See you on:*


* Friday, January 10 at 7:00 PM – Reid State Park
* Sunday, January 26 at 1:00 PM – Camden Hills State Park
* Saturday, February 1 at 7:00 PM - Bradbury Mountain & Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Parks


Table of information and giveaways at the 12/7/2024 Celtics game by Maine State Park staff.

Information and giveaways include mugs and koozies that feature stop the spread of invasive forest pests and forest protection messaging courtesy of the Cumberland County Soil & Water Conservation District through a grant from the USDA APHIS.

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Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Updated Map and Information

Map of areas regulated for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in Maine. Updated on October 9, 2024. [ [link removed] ]

Click on the map to learn more about Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).

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Help stop the spread of invasive forest pests [ [link removed] ]. Learn more about the Emerald Ash Borer [ [link removed] ](EAB). And remember, do not move firewood! Burn it where you buy it. Is your wood safe? [ [link removed] ]

~ Jocelyn Hubbell, Interpretive Specialist

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Is that Ice Safe? Tips for Checking Ice Conditions

Skaters on a pond.

Before you go out on the ice make sure you know how thick it is and the related weight it can carry. Thick ice in one area of a pond or lake does not guarantee the same thickness in another location of the waterbody. Ice thickness is impacted by many factors, including the nearness to shore, presence of vegetation, underwater currents and springs, the daytime and nighttime temperatures, the impact of precipitation, and whether the ice is newly formed hard ice, or old ice that has been sublimating (evaporating into the air), which can make it rotten in spots and more easily fractured.

Venturing onto ice is always at your own risk, but when you measure the ice and inspect the condition you'll be much safer. Always check the color and thickness of ice. Remember: ""Thick and blue, tried and true. Thin and crispy, way too risky.""
Stay Safe - If you don't know, don't go!

*General Measurement Guidelines for Thick and Blue Hard Ice Are:*


* Less than 4-inches = Stay Off!
* 4-inches = one person with light gear; no groups!
* 5-inches = small group, but spread out!
* 6-inches = single snowmobile
* 9-inches = multiple snowmobiles, but spread out!

Learn how to inspect ice at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's Winter Ice Safety Tips page [ [link removed] ].

~ Jocelyn Hubbell, Interpretive Specialist

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International Snowmobile Safety Week: January 11-19

Winter photos top to bottom: B Pond Trail, Acadia with Winter Harbor View, Covered Bridge "Cow's Bridge"

Snowmobiling is a fun and exciting family activity enjoyed by over 4-million people across the United States and Canada. The sport is a safe and enjoyable form of recreation if done properly and with respect.

International Snowmobile Safety Week is a good time to refresh your skills, learn from more experienced riders, and reach out to the snowmobile clubs where you ride.

Part of being safe is to be prepared. Here are some links so you'll *Know Before You Go*:


* Regional Trail Maps [ [link removed] ] and the statewide ITS map [ [link removed] ]
* Trail Conditions [ [link removed] ]
* Find and Join Local Snowmobile Clubs [ [link removed] ]
* Snowmobile Safety Courses [ [link removed] ]
* Review Current Snowmobile Laws [ [link removed] ]
* Learn More About Accessing Private Land [ [link removed] ]
* Register Your Snowmobile [ [link removed] ]

Safe Snowmobiling Means...

* Snowmobiling and alcohol don’t mix - Don’t drink and ride.
* Smart Riders are Safe Riders – Take a snowmobile safety training course [ [link removed] ].
* When night riding slow down – Expect the unexpected.
* Know before you go – Always check local ice and trail conditions
* Cross with Care
* Know the risks and be prepared – Make every trip a round trip
* One is the loneliest number – Never ride alone.
* Ride safe, stay on the trail – Respect private property [ [link removed] ]. Take the Pledge to Preserve Access. [ [link removed] ]

Tips for Riding in Mountainous Terrain

* Be Avalanche Aware in the USA [ [link removed] ] and in Canada [ [link removed] ]
* Get the Gear: Ensure everyone has an avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe on their person and knows how to use them
* Get the Training: Take an avalanche course
* Get the Forecast: Make a riding plan based on the current avalanche and weather forecast
* Get the Picture: If you see recent avalanche activity unstable snow exists. Riding on or underneath steep slopes can be dangerous
* Get out of Harm’s Way: One at a time on all avalanche slopes. Don’t go to help your stuck friend. Don’t group up in runout zones.
* Additional tips and an Avalanche Safety Video [ [link removed] ] for snowmobilers.

*Share your photos* at the Maine Off Road Vehicles, Snowmobile & ATV Trail Programs' Facebook page [ [link removed] ].

*Thank you and stay safe out there!*
~ Joe Higgins, Snowmobile Program Recreational Safety and Vehicle Coordinator
(Photos top to bottom: B Pond Trail, Acadia with Winter Harbor View, Covered Bridge "Cow's Bridge")

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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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