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

In this Issue:

* Director's Note: Public Access and Landscape Scale Conservation in Western Maine [ #link_1 ]
* Maine Food Access Map - Maine Ending Hunger Corps [ #link_6 ]
* Land and Water Conservation Fund 2026 Grant Round Now Open [ #link_2 ]
* Story Path at Shackford Head State Park [ #link_4 ]
* Winter Solstice Walk at Kettle Cove State Park [ #link_3 ]
* First Day Hikes at Select Maine State Parks with Guided and Self-guided Options [ #link_5 ]
* Tumbledown Public Lands Poem by Alex Haukness, Assistant Field Team Leader, MCC [ #link_8 ]
* Holiday Gifts that Support Maine's Iconic Places [ #link_7 ]
* Donate to Reid State Park's Nature Center Project [ #link_11 ]
* Donate to the Park or Public Land of Your Choice [ #link_9 ]
* Wabanaki Winter Market [ #link_10 ]

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South Branch of the Dead River, South Branch Easement. Photo courtesy of Lynnette Batt, Trust for Public Land.

South Branch of the Dead River, South Branch Easement. Photo courtesy of Lynnette Batt, Trust for Public Land.

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Director's Note: Public Access and Landscape Scale Conservation in Western Maine

This fall, I’ve participated in a productive legislative Work Group focused on maintaining Maine’s longstanding tradition of public access to private lands. The group’s wide-ranging recommendations will be summarized in a report available to the public later this winter and subsequently presented to the Maine legislature. One obvious solution to the public access puzzle is land conservation, and BPL has recently completed two significant conservation transactions that will secure public access on private lands in western Maine. The South Branch Project, completed through an efficient collaboration with the Trust for Public Land, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Navy, and several private foundations, encompasses 3,586 acres of forestland, lakes, wetlands, and streams near Rangeley. The project includes seven miles of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, as well as corridors for snowmobiles and ATVs. 

Colburn Mountain NECEC easement. Photo by Dan Grenier, BPL.

NECEC easement. Photo by Dan Grenier, BPL.

At just over 50,000 acres, the NECEC mitigation project, recently approved by the Maine DEP as a requirement for the transmission line in western Maine, creates a conservation easement on Weyerhaeuser’s ownership that connects BPL’s Cold Stream Public Land to other conserved landscapes in the region. Land conservation comes in many shapes, sizes, and flavors. With several other projects in the conservation pipeline, we’re excited to turn our attention to other geographies and partners, continuing the march toward the "Maine Won’t Wait" goal of conserving 30% of Maine by 2030.

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

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Maine Food Access Map - Maine Ending Hunger Corps

Maine Ending Hunger Corps logo.

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) has launched the Maine Food Access Map [ [link removed] ], a statewide interactive resource that helps individuals and families locate nearby food pantries, meal sites, school-based programs, WIC clinics, and other free or donation-based food assistance services.

“We know that too many Maine people struggle to find nutritious food, and the new Maine Food Access Map is designed to meet this real and growing need,” *said DACF Commissioner Amanda Beal*. “By consolidating the state’s hunger-relief resources into one intuitive platform, we can help individuals and families connect more quickly.”

The Maine Food Access Map is continually updated in partnership with local programs and community organizations to ensure that it contains accurate and current information. It complements existing statewide directories, such as 211 Maine [ [link removed] ], by providing a comprehensive, interactive, location-based view of food assistance resources.

DACF encourages organizations that serve the public, municipal offices, libraries, schools, faith-based groups, nonprofits, and healthcare providers to share the map to maximize access for residents.

The Maine Food Access Map [ [link removed] ] can be accessed on the Ending Hunger Corps website.

The Maine Food Access Map was created by the DACF Ending Hunger Corps [ [link removed] ] team. Maine is the first state in the nation to commit by law to ending hunger, supported by a statewide strategic plan [ [link removed] ]. As part of this effort, Ending Hunger Corps strengthens the capacity of organizations working to increase food security across Maine. Ending Hunger Corps members work behind the scenes to help programs serve more people, more effectively. Their work includes building and improving systems that support hunger-relief and financial security efforts, developing data tools and analyses, expanding volunteer programs, providing community education and outreach, and supporting special projects that enhance local food access. Together, their efforts create long-term, sustainable impact for communities across the state.

~ Jim Britt, DACF Communications Director

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Land and Water Conservation Fund 2026 Grant Round Now Open

The Land and Water Conservation Fund [ [link removed] ] (LWCF) celebrated its 60th year of operations in 2025. Maine has nearly 1000 projects [ [link removed] ] across the state. Now is the time to add your local park acquisition, development or renovation project to that list.


* The 2026 grant round is now open. The application deadline is June 26, 2026.
* The first step in the process is to request a project eligibility assessment [ [link removed] ] by the end of 2025.
* The LWCF can fund up to 50% of eligible project costs.
* The next grant cycle maximum award amount is set at $1,000,000.

For more information please contact [email protected]

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Story Path at Shackford Head State Park

Fleer for the Story Path at Shackford Head State Park during Nov. and Dec. 2025. [ [link removed] ]

During November and December take the self-guided Story Path adventure at Shackford Head State Park. This holiday-related story is fun for all the young at heart and it's free with park admission.

*Where: *Along the Cony Beach Trail. Begins at the parking lot and travels about 0.2 miles.
Shackford Head State Park, Deep Cove Road, Eastport, Maine
FMI: (207) 726-4412
*When:* November and December, 9:00 a.m. to sunset.
*Title:* "The Maine Christmas Song" by Con Fullam
Thank you to McSea Book in Lincoln, Maine. Find them online at mcseabooks.com [ [link removed] ]

~ Sierra Tibbetts, Manager Shackford Head and Cobscook Bay State Parks

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Winter Solstice Walk at Kettle Cove State Park

Winter Solstice Walk at Kettle Cove State Park on December 21photo. [ [link removed] ]

The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year-- a day of beginnings, of storytelling, of reflection, of celebrating and more. For ancient astronomers, it was the day that the sun appeared at its lowest in the Northern Hemisphere sky and at its farthest southern point over Earth. It's also the day that the Earth and all of us are closest to the sun. 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 park admission. FMI: c/o Crescent Beach State Park at (207) 799-5871.

*Date:* December 21, 2025
*Time:* 3:00 - 4:00 PM
*Location:* Kettle Cove State Park, 49 Kettle Cove Road, Cape Elizabeth. Meet at the park's maintenance shop.

Online description and flyer [ [link removed] ].

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First Day Hikes at Select Maine State Parks with Guided and Self-guided Options

First Day Hikes logo for 2026.

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 2026.

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 - Join Us on January 1, 2026:

* Camden Hills State Park [ [link removed] ], Camden
* Holbrook Island State Park [ [link removed] ], Brooksville
* Sebago Lake State Park [ [link removed] ] - Campground side of park, Naples
* Two Lights State Park [ [link removed] ], Cape Elizabeth

Enjoy the free park entry and program for First Day Hikers!

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Tumbledown Public Lands Poem by Alex Haukness, Assistant Field Team Leader, MCC

MCC Trail Crew with stone steps they completed.

Photo of Maine Conseervation Corps Field Teams who worked on the Brook Trail at Tumbledown Mountail Publci Land. Photos - Above: A field Team in July. Below, top to bottom: The poet Alex on trail, Jay and Sarah's Field Team, Sabrina's Field Team, and Cat's Field Team.

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Alex Haukness, Assistant Team Leader, MCC, on trail.

Below is an ode to Tumbledown Mountain Public Land as the Maine Conservation Corps [ [link removed] ] wrapped up 3+ years of projects on the Brook Trail. 

"Tumbledown"
Alright everyone, gather around
We’ve got a tale of tumbles abound
Out up there on the rock
Beneath birch and hemlock
This was our Fall at Tumbledown

We hiked out far from the highway
We stretched daily but this was no ballet
We dug out latrines
And filled our canteens
From a creek that was drier each day



Jay and Sara's MCC Trail Crew.

Under the canopy wishes were granted
The lakes, the peaks, so enchanted
Until hikers with canoes
Told us of a view
A dead moose rotting so rancid



Sabrina's MCC Trail Crew.

We built steps, walls, and stairs from stone
Dug mineral soil with hardly a groan
At dusk we would retire
To an ashy, laughter filled fire
By the end, all our service had shown

~ Alex Haukness, Assistant Field Team Leader, MCC

 



Cat's MCC Trail Team.

Cat's MCC Field Team.

Thank you to all the dedicated MCC Field Teams who worked on this project!

~ Christy Owen, Director, Maine Conservation Corps

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Holiday Gifts that Support Maine's Iconic Places

Maine State Park hats and t-shirts. [ [link removed] ]

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 and This Extraordinary Place [ [link removed] ] a beautiful companion guide dives into the unique and vital ecology of the Allagash.
* 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

Donate to Reid State Park's Nature Center Project

The old concession stand at Reid State Park and soon to be a nature center.

The old concession stand at Griffith Head and soon to be the new nature center!

Please donate to Reid State Park [ [link removed] ] to support a nature center at Griffith Head. The old concession stand is being refurbished into a nature center, and we need your help to make the transition a reality. Any dollar amount you can give is appreciated. Donate Now [ [link removed] ]. Thank you!

~ Haylee Parsons, Manager of Reid State Park

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Donate to the Park or Public Land of Your Choice

Wild About Maine State Parks logo. [ [link removed] ]

If you're wild about Maine State Parks and Public Lands, consider making a gift to help protect and enhance the places that matter most to you. Your donation [ [link removed] ] directly supports what you love, whether it's building new trails, improving accessibility, advancing outdoor education, conserving natural resources, or preserving public access for future generations.

You can:


* Give directly to the park of your choice
* Choose “All Maine State Parks and Historic Sites” to support the most urgent projects
* Select “Any Public Lands” to fund the greatest need across our treasured lands

Please donate now [ [link removed] ].

Thank you for helping us keep Maine’s Parks and Public Lands wild, beautiful, and accessible for all.

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Wabanaki Winter Market

Woven basket. U-Mainee Hudson Museum photo advertising the Wabanaki Winter Market 2025. [ [link removed] ]

*Saturday, December 13, 9am – 3pm
Collins Center for the Arts [ [link removed] ], Orono, ME*

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!

This year’s Friends of the Hudson Museum raffle basket was made by Dolly Barnes, Passamaquoddy.  Tickets will be available for purchase at the market.

The Hudson Museum [ [link removed] ] will be open during the event, and visitors are encouraged to explore the Wabanaki Gallery where they can view the work of the ancestors of the contemporary artists.

The Wabanaki Winter Market is *FREE* and open to the public.

~ Courtesy posting for the Wabanaki Winter Market.

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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.

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