In Countless Small Acts, Citizen Stewardship Takes HoldB y B r i a n M a r c au r e l l e , St e wa r d S h i p d i r e c to r

Picture yourself in a boat on a river, only instead of tangerine trees and marmalade skies your gaze is fixed upon a dancing blaze on a nearby island. Going ashore to investigate, you discover several large logs burning unattended in a fire ring in the center of the island. The fire is roaring. You call out; no answer. There are no other boats on the shore, no tents at the campsite, no signs of anyone else on the island other than you and your paddling partner. A closer look reveals that the fire has been burning for some time and has spread beyond the fire ring, scorching the nearby ground. It’s clear that this fire needs to be extinguished before it ignites the surrounding duff and tree roots, but how? You are on a day paddle and your tiny water bottles are no match for the raging inferno before you. Nevertheless, it’s all that you have, so you get to work.

After several minutes you manage to douse a small area extending a few feet from the fire ring when, serendipitously, you spy a large group of paddlers within shouting distance. You hail them and they join you in the firefighting effort. Someone in the group astutely points out that using dry bags to carry water to the fire would be much more effective than water bottles. Heads nod in agreement and dry bags are emptied of their contents and filled with sea water. After dozens of trips between the shore and campsite, the fire is finally out. continue page 12

The Island TrailT h e N e ws l e T T e r o f T h e M a i N e i s l a N d T r a i l a s s o c i aT i o N w i N T e r 2 0 0 8

M i T a . o r g

The Sea Also Rises: Islands Surrounded by ChangeB y c at h e r i n e S c h M i t t

Maine islands: the words bring to mind an archipelago of jagged granite, tufted with spruce and fir, surrounded by an indifferent sea.

Such an image is only half correct, as just 50 percent of the Maine coast is rock-bound. The other half is made of softer stuff, sand and mud pushed around by waves and tides. As Maine’s climate changes, so too will the landscape and shape of coastal islands. The changes will be most noticeable on areas with soft geology, including many islands, which are vulnerable to the rising seas that accompany a warming planet.

Maine islands lie within the Gulf of Maine, which itself is part of the global ocean. As the planet warms due to an increase in heat-trapping greenhouse gases, the ocean warms and expands, causing the sea level to rise. Ice caps melt and drain into the sea, swelling the ocean even more. The Portland tide gauge recorded a mean sea level rise of 0.6 feet during the 20th century; over the next century, sea level is expected to rise approximately another two feet. continue page 6

In This IssueEaglEs DE-listED .............................Page 4

trail talE WinnErs ........................Page 8

BarmorE ascEnDs thE thronE ................................... Page 10

Port in a Financial storm .......... Page 11

2 M I T A . O R G

The MITA Staff and Trustees were thrilled to welcome over 100 members to the Annual Meeting and Stewardship Party this August. As part of our celebration of

MITA’s 20th year, we changed the party venue to accommodate a larger crowd and enjoyed a spectacular evening overlooking Penobscot Bay from the beautiful Ducktrap Retreat in Lincolnville. Setting the tone for the evening was artist Eric Hopkins, who not only exhibited a large number of paintings at the retreat center but also offered an amazing tribute to the wild islands of Maine. (Read some excerpts from his inspirational speech on page 3.) Present in the audience were a number of MITA’s earliest members; it was an honor to thank those pioneers whose loyalty is a real source of pride to the staff.

To illustrate the continued importance of our mission, I offered the audience two contemporary stories of island access and stewardship. The first story was about access; a camping trip by two buddies of 40 years (George and Dennis), one of whom had just been diagnosed with cancer. Of all the things in the world that they might have done to mark this occasion, the ill friend requested a camping trip to Merchants Row. (You can read the full story on Page 8.)

The stewardship story came from the June issue of the New York Times Magazine—an article called “Sea of Trash.” It was an exposé on the growing volume of plastic trash in the oceans—an issue that might have been startling to many readers, but not to MITA members. The article’s description of bottle-strewn Alaskan beach dunes is sadly reminiscent of the stewardship challenges we face today on the Maine Island Trail.

m i t a B o a r D o F t r U s t E E sPeter Adams, Yarmouth, ME

Greg Barmore, Harpswell, MEScott Camlin, Belmont, MA

Kathryn Henry, Waitsfield, VTRodger Herrigel, Phippsburg, ME

Liz Incze, Cumberland, Foreside, METony Jessen, Freeport, MEMelissa Paly, Kittery, MEJoan Smith, Portland, ME

Greg Shute, Wiscasset, ME Stafford Soule, Freeport, MEAlan Stearns, Augusta, ME

Rod Vogel, Cumberland, MEJeremy Wintersteen, Boston, MA

Julie Wormser, Littleton, MA

s t a F FDoug Welch • dwelch@mita.org

Executive Director

Patricia Dano • pdano@mita.orgBusiness Manager

Tom Franklin • tom@mita.orgDirector of Special Programs

Eliza Ginn • eginn@mita.orgMarketing & Membership Manager

Cally Green • info@mita.orgAdministrative Associate

Peter Kenlan • pkenlan@mita.orgDevelopment Officer

Kevin Lomangino • kevinl@maine.rr.comNewsletter Editor

Brian Marcaurelle • brian@mita.orgStewardship Director

Dave Mention • trail@mita.orgTrail Director

Pro-bono newsletter design services by Jillfrances Gray

JFG Graphic Design|Art Direction

The Maine Island Trail is a 350-mile long waterway extending from Cape Porpoise on the west to Machias Bay on the east. Along the route, state-owned and pri-vate islands are available to members or the public for

overnight stopovers where one can picnic or camp in a wilderness setting.

The Maine Island Trail Association (MITA) is a nonprofit conservation organization, whose goal is to establish a model of thoughtful use and volunteer stewardship for

the Maine islands that will assure their conservation in a natural state while providing an exceptional rec-

reational asset that is maintained and cared for by the people who use it. This goal is achieved by encouraging

a philosophy of low-impact use and environmental awareness among MITA’s members and island visitors.

m a i n E i s l a n D t r a i l a s s o c i at i o n58 Fore Street, 30-3 Portland, ME 04101

(207) 761-8225 • info@mita.org

Vol. 19 No. 2

A Challenge for Our Third Decade: Making MITA PermanentB y d o u g w e lc h , e x e c ut i v e d i r e c to r

MITA’s stewardship and visitor education work are part of our solemn pact with island owners. They provide the incentive for owners to let thoughtful visitors like George and Dennis access their treasured islands. This is the current day embodiment of the bold vision of the Maine Island Trail that Dave Getchell brought to life 20 years ago.

We closed the evening in Lincolnville with a rousing “open mic” session in which many members shared their own individual reasons for being affiliated with this great organization. It was truly a wonderful night, and a great way to kick off MITA’s third decade!

But while the mission is sound, we expect 2009 to be as challenging as any year in our history. The unsettled economic picture that is emerging daily as I write portends a competitive environment for resources in an economic climate unlike any we’ve seen before.

As a membership organization, MITA’s foundation is people like you, whose interest in the wild islands of Maine translates into membership fees that are often eclipsed many times over by extraordinary acts of generosity. Support at all levels keeps MITA afloat, but it all starts with membership. I hope you will invite one friend to join MITA in 2009 (or, better yet, buy them a membership—perhaps as a holiday gift?). This could go a long way to solidifying our base for 2009 and beyond. But we need to take even bolder steps to ensure that our programs continue not just year to year but forever. And we will need you to be a part of that. Twenty years have demonstrated that the model works. As we launch the third decade of the Maine Island Trail, I hope you agree that our core challenge is to ensure its permanence.

M I T A . O R G 3

“I see islands as almost a metaphor for the big

world, the big island that we all live on,” Hopkins said. “That we have to

take care of the islands, and we also have to take

care of the planet. ”

One of the chief attractions of the islands, most of us would readily agree, is that they offer a much-needed dose of solitude in a world that seems ever more crowded. But islands, in addition to separating us from the world, can also help bring us together in stronger and more vibrant communities, says the acclaimed Maine artist and MITA supporter Eric Hopkins. “I think it’s really important to realize that what isolates, also connects us,” Hopkins commented in his keynote speech at the Annual Stewardship Party.

Hopkins delivered his address to a welcoming crowd of about 100 volunteers, friends, and island owners at the Ducktrap Retreat in Lincolnville. He began his remarks with a discussion of how islands represent common ground for all of us. “We all get to these islands by boat,” he said, hinting at members’ shared passion for being on the water—regardless of how we take to it. He added that we are also tightly bonded by a deep and abiding passion for stewardship.

“I see islands as almost a metaphor for the big world, the big island that we all live on,” Hopkins said. “That we have to take care of the islands, and we also have to take care of the planet. And not just the planet, but also our cities, neighborhoods, and suburbs, because those are islands in a sense as well.”

Hopkins’ views about islands were shaped by a childhood spent on North Haven island in Penobscot Bay. “When I was growing up,” he said, “my brothers and friends and I were always kicking around in the woods and on the beaches. We were safe and secure because we knew that no matter what, if we ever got lost, we could just go in a straight line and come to the edge.”

“And that’s a really spectacular thing about islands,” Hopkins continued. “You know where you stand. You know your limits. And usually you know if you

Island ConnectionsB y k ev i n lo M a n g i n o

Eric Hopkins addresses the Stewardship Party.

just keep going in one direction, you’ll come to something. That was really important for me growing up – to know my limits, and to know that islands can isolate, but they also can connect.”

Hopkins says that because of MITA, more people can share the feeling of discovery that he enjoyed as an island child. He noted that in his early years on North Haven, there was virtually unlimited access to the surrounding uninhabited islands. But population growth and new ownership has put many islands off-limits to the local community.

“That’s what I really like about the Maine Island Trail Association,” he said. “That sense that you may only be able to visit one or five or even ten islands—but you still have access to all the rest of them, which is something truly amazing.”

Hopkins concluded his speech with

gracious praise for members’ hard work and sacrifice on behalf of the Trail. Commenting that islands allowed people to get in touch with the “essence, as well as the spirit, of the self,” he said thanks were due to the volunteers

who have helped to keep Maine’s islands accessible to the public.

“I really want to thank everyone who makes the Maine Island Trail Association possible,” he said. “They are the people who have helped connect me to my spirit and, hopefully, many others with their own

spirits—and that’s really important.”

Hopkins’s paintings and glass designs are held in many private and public collections, including the Farnsworth Art Museum, Portland Museum of Art, and Corning Museum of Glass. His work can be viewed by appointment at his gallery on Winter Street in Rockland.

4 M I T A . O R G

The bald eagle population has recovered in Maine to the point that it can be removed from the state’s list of Endangered and Threatened Species, according the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IF&W). The agency will recommend to the state legislature that the bird be de-listed in January 2009, says state eagle biologist Charlie Todd.

The announcement represents a remarkable turnaround for a species that was at the brink of extinction just a few decades ago. “The breeding population has risen from a low of only 21 nesting pairs in 1967 to an impressive tally of 477 nesting pairs of bald eagles today,” Todd says. “Thirty years ago, only easternmost Washington County had viable eagle numbers, but bald eagles now reside in all Maine counties.”

Bald eagles were taken off the federal list of Endangered and Threatened Species in 2007. However, the bird has retained its threatened status in Maine under the Maine Endangered Species Act. Removing the Bald Eagle from Maine’s list requires a recommendation from the Commissioner of the Maine IF&W and the approval of the state legislature.

Although the de-listing will eliminate some special rules for eagles, the raptors will continue to benefit from policies designed to ensure their sustained recovery. IF&W has developed a “safety net” approach that calls for protection of at least 150 nesting sites in Maine. In addition, Maine will continue to monitor eagle populations by conducting nesting inventories every five years through 2023. “With this strategy, we should be able to detect emerging problems and seek remedies before significant population setbacks arise,” Todd says.

Eagles in Maine to be Removed from ‘Threatened’ ListB y k ev i n lo M a n g i n o

Having dwindled to just 21 nesting pairs in the 1960s, bald eagles today are relatively abun-dant throughout the state.

Brian Marcaurelle rallies volunteers during the fall cleanup of Casco Bay. More than two dozen participants joined MITA, the Ocean Conservancy, and the Island Institute in removing some 30 bags of trash, several tires and a number of miscellaneous bulky items from island shorelines.

A ban on the pesticide DDT has been widely credited for contributing to the rebound in Maine’s eagle population. And that ban is largely attributable to the efforts of Maine naturalist Rachel Carson, whose seminal book, Silent Spring, raised concerns about pesticide overuse and helped inspire a nationwide conservation movement.

Cooperation from private landowners has been another key foundation of support. Most eagle nests in Maine are located on private property, Todd notes, and

good stewardship of these sites by private citizens is a critical factor in nesting success. The state will look to build on this collaboration by encouraging more landowners to consider conservation easements or manage-ment agreements for eagle habitat in

the future.

MITA participates in eagle recovery efforts through island visitor education as well as habitat protection for vulnerable nesting sites. We supported the state’s decision to remove a site from the Trail when a pair of eagles took up residence there in 2006.

Todd believes that this kind of cooperation bodes well for the eagle’s continued recovery in the coming years.

“Like the resources it seeks to protect, wildlife

conservation must be dynamic, changing

as conditions change, seeking always to become

more effective.” Rachel Carson

“If recent growth rates persist, more than 740 pairs could be present by the year 2014,” he estimates. However, he cautions that diligent maintenance of current protections will be needed to assure that such estimates become reality. Todd says that recreational boaters can help by minimizing disturbance to eagles, especially during the late winter and early spring when eggs and hatchlings are most vulnerable. See the related article on page 5 for practical advice about observing the birds without putting them in harm’s way. Additional tips for coexisting with eagles can be found on the MITA website: www.mita.org/learn/history/eagles.

M I T A . O R G 5

Songbirds ThrivingHuman activity on the Trail is not adversely affecting songbird populations on the islands, according to a new study. In fact, songbird species diversity is actually higher on popular public islands compared with lightly used private sites, says Joshua Berman, a graduate student in the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental studies.

Berman conducted a survey of songbird populations on nine forested islands on the southern and central coast. He divided the islands into two groups—disturbed vs. undisturbed—based on the number of improvements, such as walking trails, structures, and campsites, present at each locale. Islands that were placed in the “disturbed” group included state-owned Jewell Island in Casco Bay and Warren Island in Penobscot Bay. Funding for the study was provided by the Maine Coast Heritage Trust. MITA assisted with the project by contributing transport for Berman to and from Jewell Island.

“I found no indication of diminished species richness associated with human disturbance,” Berman reported in the study. “Indeed, on my study islands the opposite effect was observed: Species richness was uniformly higher on the disturbed islands than the undisturbed islands even when island size was controlled for.”

The study suggests that island wildlife can continue to thrive even amidst high levels of recreational use, says MITA Stewardship Director Brian Marcaurelle. “MITA has always sought to balance between conservation and respectful access to the islands,” he said. “It’s heartening to know that our presence has helped some wildlife species flourish in these relatively inhospitable environments.”

P R A C T I C A L L E AV E N O T R A C E

Admire Eagles and Seals Without Endangering ThemB y dav e M e n t i o n , t r a i l d i r e c to r

It is a perfect morning in June and a pair of kayakers is heading out for a paddle among the islands. They watch (from a safe distance) lobster boats hauling their traps, and marvel at the clear skies and clean water. As they paddle along, they notice lots of seals on the tidal ledges. “Isn’t that great,” the paddlers think, “they’re curious and are getting into the water to come out and say hi to us.” A bit further the pair notices the brilliant white head of a mature bald eagle in a nest high in a tree near the shore. As they paddle toward it the eagle cries out and flies around them several times and then flies off to another tree. They think to themselves, “Is this a perfect paddling day or what?”

you carefully as you paddle by from a distance, but if it starts to move toward the water you should alter your course and move away. This rule applies all year long, not just during the pupping season.

What about the eagles? During late winter and spring eagles are most sensitive to nesting disturbances. If you

see one or both adults repeatedly circling an area and vocalizing, you are disturbing them. Move away quietly. How close can you come to an eagle nest? Individual eagles have different comfort levels, and some become agitated when you come within 1500 feet of a nest. Eagles can tolerate passing traffic better than boats or people that

approach directly. If you are paddling along the shore and notice a nearby eagle, continue on your path and don’t linger near the nest. If the bird shifts, acts restless, or flies off, you are too close.

Young eagles in their first year typically hatch in early May. They are stretching their wings and learning to fly in mid summer. If they are disturbed before they are fully developed they face injury or death. As with seals, keep a watchful eye and give them a wide berth.

Seals and eagles are a key ingredient in the magic of the coast of Maine. Careful behavior on our part can help protect and nurture these creatures.

If this scene were unfolding on videotape, I would stop it right here and rewind it back to the beginning. The part about the deep blue skies, the sparkling Maine waters, and the lobster boats busily hauling traps – that’s all fine. But the actions of this fictitious pair near wildlife are misguided and potentially dangerous.

Spring is nursery season for wildlife, and seal pups are in a fragile position. They need to build up a protective layer of fat to protect them from the cold Atlantic waters. They spend time on the ledges with their mothers as they nurse and absorb warmth from the sun. When they are flushed from the ledges, they can get separated from their mothers and they cool off unnecessarily. In Maine the pupping season generally lasts through June.

It’s true that seals are inquisitive, and may well approach kayaks or “spy hop,” lifting their heads out of the water to get a better look at you. If a seal approaches you when it was already in the water, enjoy the encounter. Don’t alter your course or try to approach it. It’s not only dangerous for the seal, it’s illegal. How close can you come? The rule of thumb we use is this: If the seal alters its behavior as a result of your actions, you are too close. It may be resting on the ledge and watching

6 M I T A . O R G

Owner and Adopter Make a Joint Island VisitIsland Owner John Loyd (left) and Adopter Peter File approach Little Birch island off Harpswell. Their visit personifies MITA’s goal of bringing property owners and visitors together in support of island stewardship.

The Sea Also Rises: continued from page 1

Impact on Trail IslandsRising seas will isolate islands connected to the mainland via bars or sandy beaches. Low islands like Bar in Casco Bay could disappear altogether, while larger islands are split as seawater floods low areas.

“Names can offer clues,” said Dr. Joseph Kelley, a marine geologist at the University of Maine. “Anything with ‘bar’ or ‘carry’ in the title is likely to be affected,” because these place-names indicate low elevations and soft earth. Many islands contain freshwater wetlands or bogs, fed only by rain and contained by peat cliffs or gravel berm beaches, such as on Bois Bubert Island. If these protective features erode, saltwater would inundate the freshwater areas. In a similar way, gravel beaches could progress across islands, covering wetlands. According to Kelley, even islands that seem high and dry are at risk.

“People see a high area and think it is safe, but if it isn’t made of rock, it’s not safe,” he said. That tall island could be a bluff, a pile of sand and gravel left behind by the glaciers. Many bluffs sit on top of mud. When waves attack the bases of the bluffs, the mud erodes and the bluff collapses. Kelley and the Maine Geological Survey have mapped 17% of Maine’s coastal bluffs as unstable.

Of course, erosion is a natural process. A glance at old topographical maps shows that Maine has lost some islands over

the last century: Strawberry Island near Kennebunkport is gone, as are some islands in Holmes Bay near Machias. But humans tinker with natural processes; sea level rise is speeding up.

Kelley estimates that at the current rate of sea level rise, which is the fastest sea level has risen in 6,000 years, exposed bluffs wash away at a rate of two feet per year, and beaches as much as half a foot a year.

Storm-Driven Change“All of this activity is driven by storms,” he explained. “We can’t predict storms on a yearly basis, so we average erosion over longer periods of time. But one big storm can cause major erosion.” Some regional climate models predict an increase in “storminess,” with more precipitation in winter and spring, more intense rain, and more frequent extreme storm surges in the coming decades.

Rocky islands will slowly drown, leaving seabirds who nest on low-lying islands with shrinking habitat. According to Dr. Stephen Kress of Project Puffin, the 30-foot waves and high tides of the 2007 Patriots Day storm washed over most of Eastern Egg Rock, which is only 17 feet above the average high tide. If the storm had occurred a month later, it would have flooded most puffin-nesting burrows. As it turned out, the storm actually improved tern nesting habitat by washing away invasive grasses and exposing the underlying beds of gravel, proving that climate changes have unexpected consequences.

A Transformed EnvironmentIn a warmer climate, different plants and animals could colonize the islands. Some forest ecologists predict the pointed evergreens that so characterize the “spruce-clad” Maine coast will remain on a narrow strip Downeast while inland forests will change more drastically. This is because the ocean has a tempering effect on coastal zone climate, moderating extremes of heat and cold.

Repeat visitors to islands will notice changes, however. As the atmosphere warms, so does the sea. Regional sea surface temperatures have increased almost 2°F since 1970, and could rise another 6-8°F by century’s end. Certain types of toxic “red tide” algae thrive in warmer waters, as do pathogens and pollutants that affect oysters, mussels, and clams. Invasive species likely will become a bigger nuisance, both on land and underwater. Ticks that carry Lyme disease could spread.

Of course, warmer temperatures could extend the boating season, but paddlers will be traveling through very different waters. The rockbound coast is not as steadfast as it seems; Maine islands are surrounded by change.

Catherine Schmitt is Communications Coordinator with the Maine Sea Grant program at the University of Maine. Their mission is to play a leadership role in marine science and education and to promote the sustainable development, management, and stewardship of marine and coastal resources.

M I T A . O R G 7

Steps in the Right DirectionA failing set of stone steps (left) on John Island in the Bartlett Narrows got a substantial makeover this fall (right) thanks to volunteers Avi Gabel-Richards and Ron Greenberg. Avi works as a stone mason in Massachusetts and Ron adopts several MITA islands in the Mount Desert region. The fortified steps should help to minimize human-induced erosion on the steep bank leading up to the campsite. Thanks Avi and Ron!

P a r t n e r P r o f i l e

Acadia Receives Most Valuable Partner AwardAcadia National Park and its Land Protection Specialist, Michael Blaney, received the 2008 Most Valuable Partner Award in recognition of their longstanding support of coastal island stewardship.

“We are proud to honor Acadia and recognize their important contributions on a number of issues,” says MITA Trail Manager Dave Mention. He cited Leave No Trace (www.lnt.org) training, campsite condition assessment, and the monitoring of park easements as just a few of the many areas where our organizations have cooperated over the years.

The timing of the award carries special significance coming on the eve of Mike Blaney’s retirement after a long and rich career with the Park Service. According to MITA Stewardship Director Brian Marcaurelle, Blaney regularly accompanied MITA skippers on special runs to monitor the park’s easements. “The skippers love going out with him,” Marcaurelle says. “He has an encyclopedic knowledge of islands in the bays around Mount Desert Island.”

Several skippers reported that Mike was always game for a day out on the bay, even in less-than-ideal conditions. One skipper, recounting Mike’s legendary enthusiasm, told Marcaurelle of the day he dropped Mike off on the shore of an island in a strong blow. “He had two

stern anchors set and was holding the lines to allow Mike to get off and then get back onboard after he had finished walking the island,” Marcaurelle said, recalling the skipper’s version of events. “When Mike was ready to re-board, the skipper would carefully time the swells, riding them just up the edge of the rocks, and always ready to pull himself back offshore if the water level wasn’t quite right. And all of this while fighting strong winds and the reduced visibility of a rain squall!”

And when Mike was safely aboard, was there any question of calling it a day? No Way! He insisted on finishing the run!

Charlie Jacobi, Acadia Recreation Specialist, has also been working closely with MITA for many years. In fact, when former MITA Board member Natalie Springuel began a project to gather baseline data on island campsite and trail conditions, Charlie was the first to volunteer to help. “I recall Charlie bringing his Trimble GPS unit out on Hells Half Acre, and he walked carefully along the perimeter and along the tide line to get an accurate measurement,” Dave Mention says. “We had long and passionate discussions at lunch about measurement methodologies.”

MITA is not the only water trail organization with significant ties to the National Park Service. At the

National Water Trails Conference held in September in Washington State, we learned that the NPS was a major supporter of water trails all across the country. But while many water trails cited support from regional national park officials in getting their projects launched, “None of the other water trails had the depth of institutional support we get from Mike Blaney and Charlie Jacobi,” Mention notes. “The other water trails were somewhat jealous of our strong relationship with Acadia National Park.”

MITA thanks Acadia for its support and cooperation over the years. And we congratulate Mike Blaney on an exceptional career spent stewarding our precious coastal resources.

Mike Blaney is retiring from his land protection position at Acadia National Park. He will be missed.

8 M I T A . O R G

“Dennis, I Have Cancer”B y d e n n i S M cc a B e

Over the years members have shared many special memories of their extraordinary experiences out on the islands. Here we are treated to what is arguably the most moving “trail tale” ever submitted. The story has earned well-deserved recognition as first prize winner in our 2008 Tales of the Trail contest. We congratulate author Dennis McCabe, as well as runner-up Chuck Beals, whose poem appears on page 10. We also wish to thank all of the many other contestants for sharing their remarkable stories with us. Your tales are a wonderful testament to the incredible power and inspiration of Maine’s islands.

“Dennis, I have cancer and have just a few months left.” This stunning statement came from my best friend George whom I’ve known for about 40 years. It was just a couple of weeks ago. We both love the outdoors and have had many backpacking experiences together. We discovered the Maine Island Trail two years ago and have had three island trips to date.

In his final months, George didn’t want to travel the world or do something dramatic. “I just want to hang with my family and friends,” he said. But he did tell me that he wanted to see Stonington again. I got to work right away on our trip with my wife’s blessings.

I looked at the calendar to find us a date; the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, was an easy choice. We would do three days this time, giving us two nights, as well as the full “middle day,” where we’d wake up and get to sleep again on the same island. Hell’s Half Acre was selected over last year’s awesome Russ Island campsite.

Following plenty of planning, I piloted us in my small airplane up the Maine coast toward Stonington. The weather proved unpredictable, and widespread fog forced an instruments landing in Rockland instead of Stonington. The forecast was promising a lifting of the fog around noon. We waited patiently but it just never happened. By 2:30 pm, we decided that we could fly on instruments up to Bar Harbor and look for breaks in the clouds at Stonington, or perhaps a lifting of the fog in that general area. I really wanted to give this expedition our best shot before giving up and heading home. This trip was too important and we just couldn’t turn around yet.

After overflying Stonington twice to no avail, we made a rather somber landing in Bar Harbor, planning to try again the following day. George started to unpack the plane, but I told him to just rest for a minute and dashed into the airport office. With a mischievous smile on my face, I returned to the plane. George recognized my expression and asked, “OK, what are you up to?” I replied, “George, I’ve rented us a car. Stonington is only an hour away. Let’s go.”

We had scored the last available car at the airport, a Lincoln Towncar, which swallowed all of our gear with room to spare. By the time we got to Old Quarry Campground, where we were renting our kayaks, it was nearly sunset. We could make the paddle to Hells Half Acre but it was going to be dark soon and we still had to pack up our yaks. Captain Bill, of Old Quarry, simply said, “I’ll bring you out.” Within minutes, Bill, George, and I, with the help of Buddy, a guide who operates out of Old Quarry,

had loaded all our gear and both yaks onto the Nigh Duck and were off. The smile on George’s face as we motored out was simply priceless. Captain Bill knew about George’s condition and enjoyed playing a pivotal role in the day’s outcome. All smiles aboard. Stubborn perseverance prevailed and we were indeed going to have our dinner and set up camp before the final day’s light was gone. We were psyched.

The arrival on Hell’s Half Acre was, frankly, embarrassing. We, our gear, and kayaks were “delivered” to the island. Not our typical arrival but we accepted our circumstances and had to laugh at ourselves. Captain Bill gave a final wave and was off to the mainland. The quiet of the island and the realization that our plans were back on track began to settle in. Simple bliss. A scrumptious dinner, some fine wine, and the last remnants of light providing magical views were now our reality. The day’s stressful effect fell away by the minute. The

Dennis (left) and George enjoy a lobster bake on Hell’s Half Acre Island.

M I T A . O R G 9

weather, still foggy, was decent enough to sleep out under the ... fog. It was great to wake up in the middle of the night and realize where we were. We had the full “middle” day ahead of us.

Our early rise on the foggy morning was delightful. Fresh ground coffee and breakfast charged us up. We set out to explore this magical area all day by kayak. We had multiple bald eagle sightings, including one drama that played out in front of us involving an eagle attacking a family of ducks. The mother duck bravely tried to defend as the babies hid under water, but eventually each had to rise to the surface. The eagle succeeded in the end in bringing a meal home to its fledging. It was rather sad to watch, but riveting.

Lunch on Steve’s Island was vivid. The fog had lifted and bright blue sky delivered smiles to our faces. The water was like glass and the view from the beach looked like the Caribbean. My buddy George was simply ... in the zone. A beaming smile, and a sparkle in his eye. He was frequently shaking his head wondering how we had pulled this off.

We eventually zig-zagged our way toward home, through the split at Coombs Island and back to Hell’s Half Acre. George was so satisfied with our solstice day. His face was glowing. We wandered the island immersed in our euphoria, enjoying the constant movement of the tide, the twists in the

driftwood, the variety of wildflowers, and the intense beauty that surrounded us.

Later we reconnected with Buddy, the guide, whom I learned was actually an old childhood friend of mine from Bedford, MA. We reacquainted ourselves and hugged, and then I noticed that Captain Bill’s Nigh Duck was approaching the island. I had told George I had a surprise for him, and now it was time to spring it on him.

George thought he had already guessed what the surprise was—a bottle of his favorite champagne—but that was only part of what I had planned. As a passenger from the Nigh Duck began to row toward us in a dinghy, I asked George, “What would be the best food to go with our champagne.” He replied, “Lobster, of course.”

“Well George,” I said, “I couldn’t bring lobster with us, so I’m having it delivered, and here it comes now.” George laughed, knowing me to be quite the joker. Only this time, it wasn’t a joke. A lobster bake was in fact coming to us. Captain Bill had arranged everything. It took a few minutes for George to absorb this fact. His jaw just kept dropping. And Buddy was getting a kick out of watching this scene unfold.

Buddy and I helped Bridgit, our lobster chef, unload. Then we watched in anticipation as she spread out a round red-checkered tablecloth with nachos and salsa close behind. A sea urchin and

flower centerpiece appeared–nice touch. Then a most awesome potato salad and corn on the cob. Mmmm good. Then two beautiful lobsters were pulled from the pot and presented by Bridgit with a tub of butter. Did I mention champagne? As the sun was working its way to the horizon, we were feasting on the best outdoor meal we had ever experienced. George was savoring this meal of meals. We were deep in the moment and the butter with the late afternoon sun shining on our faces.

It was all so unreal and so satisfying. The smile on George’s face was contagious. My best friend got what he deserved that day. Nothing but the best of the best for the best.

We slept out again that night on a ledge near the water. I was awakened by George to catch a colorful sunrise to the east and moonshine to the west. Beautiful and serene. Following more java and breakfast, we meandered around in our yaks exploring new areas to the east. A final lunch on Hells Half Acre to savor and review our trip come true before we packed. We pointed our yaks just west of north and paddled into the fog. Old Quarry eventually peered through the mist and we were back in the USA. We delivered a heartfelt thank you to Captain Bill who contributed so much to our adventure. And to Buddy, bearhugs.

During our journey home, George seemed to have a new attitude. He was relaxed, at ease and comforted. He said that had not felt this good in a very long time. And his best friend was very pleased to see this. We are convinced that Stonington has magical healing powers and George is already talking about one more trip … soon.

As we go to press, Dennis reports that George is in “remarkable condition” and has defied his original prognosis. He adds, “George continues to live every day to the fullest, which still includes frequent kayaking off the north shore of Massachusetts.”

The view from Steves Island was reminiscent of the Caribbean.

10 M I T A . O R G

V O L u N T E E R P R O f I L E

Greg Barmore Named Volunteer of the YearMITA congratulates Greg Barmore on his receipt of the 2008 Margaret C. Emerson Stewardship Award. The award, MITA’s top honor, is given annually in recognition of outstanding volunteer service to the islands.

Calling Barmore’s altruism “nothing short of outstanding,” Doug Welch, MITA’s Executive Director, praised Barmore’s many enduring contributions to the Trail. “Greg has worn many large hats at MITA,” Welch said as he presented the award. “He has been a trustee for eight years, a major donor to the cause, an outreach volunteer, and a monitor skipper.”

Among Barmore’s most dramatic gifts to the organization, Welch said, were the donation of thousands of dollars’ worth of new computer equipment and a new Toyota RAV-4 towing vehicle. But he added that Barmore’s service to the islands can also be seen in countless small acts that will benefit the Trail now and in the years ahead.

“[Barmore] skippers one or two cleanups every year,” Welch continued. “He has brought hundreds of trash bags off of islands, dismantled fire rings, interacted with hundreds of island visitors, repaired signs, fixed boats and trailers, and worked at trade show booths and outreach events up and down the coast.”

The award ceremony was held at MITA’s Annual Meeting and Stewardship Party at the Ducktrap Retreat in Lincolnville.

Ascending the “Stewardship Throne:” Greg Barmore poses with this year’s Margaret C. Emerson award—a chair that had washed ashore on an island in Penobscot Bay.

Barmore was among many volunteers whose stewardship service was celebrated at the event. (See the full list of award winners below.)

Barmore, in his acceptance remarks, highlighted the need for members today to help assure permanent public access to the islands. “One of my concerns as the current generation of island owners moves on,” he said, “is what if the grandchildren are in California and the estate is spread out among five different families? What happens to the island?” He said it was critically important for the islands to be protected by land trusts holding conservation easements. And those easements need to stipulate, as appropriate, permanent public access to the property through MITA. Otherwise, Barmore cautioned, “it only takes a couple of generations for it all to just go away.”

Stewardship Award WinnersPlease join us in honoring the many hardworking volunteers recognized at this year’s Stewardship Party:

Monitor Program AwardRichard Stetson, Camden, ME

Island Adopter AwardCapt. John Foss, Rockport, ME

Island Cleanup AwardDan Carr & Bob Carr, Dayton, ME, and Wayne & Elizabeth Tobiasson, Brooklin, ME

Most Valuable Partner AwardMike Blaney & Acadia National Park

I didn’t write a poem© Chuck Beals July 2008

I didn’t write a poem yesterday evening as I drove to the town landing dropped my sea kayak in the ocean sliding in comfortably from the pier

No profound stanzas of genius flowed from my pen last night while I drifted on the shifting tide listening to screaming terns or the muffled laughter of cormorants

I never focused on literary expression watching the dappled reflections of lobster buoys and noble boats broken by rising fish or emerging sandbars frosted thick black with mussel shells

The diving osprey heard no readings saw no speech impressing the grunting seals children laughing in sailboat lessons were never distracted by flowing prose clanging rigging never interrupted my dictations

I didn’t write a poem yesterday evening carried in on a sunset tide hovering over clam beds and rockweed parting the mirrored sea with my paddle

No I didn’t write a poem

But I was in one.

M I T A . O R G 11

Members: Our Port in a Financial StormB y p e t e r a da M S, B oa r d c h a i r

I am honored and excited to have been elected by the MITA Board of Trustees to serve as Chairman for the next two years. As a long-time resident of Maine

and avid boater, I deeply appreciate our beautiful coastline, its wild islands and MITA’s critical role in providing protection and access to its sites along the 350-mile water trail. My connection to Maine began as a boy during summers at Bailey Island and then as a student at Bowdoin College. My wife Lisa and I moved permanently to Maine in 1986 and have raised our three children here. I have proudly served MITA as a trustee since 2004.

I write to you at a critical time for all of us. The financial tsunami emanating from Wall Street has crashed upon shores all across the globe—and Maine’s islands are no exception. The islands themselves may be wonderfully unaware of the collapse in the world’s capital markets, but MITA as an organ-ization is certainly vulnerable to the downturn in the economy and the pinch we are all feeling financially these days.

It has always been a source of great pride to MITA that 40% of our contributions come in checks of $65 or less. But now we read in the press that small gifts are those most likely to diminish as smaller donors feel the pressure in their basic living expenses.

We understand that many of you are facing your own tough choices about how to manage the family budget in this crisis. Like everyone in these uncertain times, we will strive hard to do more with less.

Yet we hope that those of you who do have the means will be as generous as you possibly can be in your giving this year. Remember that a gift to MITA goes an extraordinarily long way because of the number and passion of volunteers involved. Even small increases, multiplied many times, can add up to a significant source of revenue to help maintain island stewardship.

You should have received our annual appeal in your mailbox by now. If you have the capacity to increase your gift in this critical year, we ask that you please do so. This will help ensure that MITA and its cherished islands weather this financial storm.

It was a pleasure to meet some of you at our Annual Meeting and dinner in August and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible in the years to come. Thanks for your generosity and support of MITA.

How You Can HelpHere are seven steps you can take to help MITA and the islands through this difficult financial period:

• Give a gift membership at www.mita.org/gift.

• Donate to the Annual Fund at www.mita.org/annualfund or any other MITA fund at www.mita.org/donate.

• Renew your own membership at www.mita.org/join. (Remember, all MITA memberships expire on 12/31/2008.)

• Donate a boat.

• Volunteer for a spring cleanup or to provide office assistance.

• Fulfill a wish list item (see page 13).

• Talk to your employer about matching gifts.

12 M I T A . O R G

Citizen Stewards: continued from page 1

True Stories of StewardshipThe preceding isn’t some Beatles-era daydream gone awry, but rather a real-life scenario encountered by MITA members this summer during a day paddle on the Sheepscot River. Together, the valiant efforts of Douglas and Scheree Kirk and members of an Appalachian Mountain Club paddling group saved a popular Trail island from potentially catastrophic fire damage. The very next day, after being informed of the incident, a local island adopter and his family returned to the scene to clean out the fire ring, disguise the burn scars and install a “fire brigade” bucket with instructions for having safe campfires.

For MITA, stories such as this serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of citizen stewardship on the coast. For island owners, these accounts no doubt reaffirm the advantage of sharing their property with considerate members of the public who pledge to use it respectfully and keep a watchful eye on the place. This is just one example among hundreds reported to MITA every year, each depicting thoughtful visitors acting as caretakers of lands they do not own but feel privileged to use. It is the work of these self-motivated citizen stewards that assures continued access to the islands on the coast and, ultimately, ensures their preservation for the future.

MITA: The Historical ContextIn his seminal work, A Sand County Almanac, Aldo Leopold urged us to regard the wild lands around us not as commodities that belong to us but rather as communities to which we belong. At the core of his land ethic was a challenge for all citizens to practice stewardship of the lands where we live, work, and play in order to move toward a more harmonious relationship with the natural world. His vision of citizen stewardship is increasingly seen as vital to achieving permanent protection of our natural resources. Scott Russell

Credit: Gary Guisinger Photography

Sanders, in his essay A Conservationist’s Manifesto, put it this way: “No matter what the legal protections on the ground, no land will be safe from harm without people committed to caring for it, year after year, generation after generation. All conservation must therefore aim at fostering an ethic of stewardship.”

Roughly forty years after the publication of A Sand County Almanac, MITA set out to cultivate a community of citizen stewards on the Maine coast. The mission of the Association, “To establish a model of thoughtful use and volunteer stewardship for the Maine islands that will assure their conservation in a natural state while providing an exceptional recreational asset that is maintained and cared for by the people who use it,” draws heavily from Leopold’s land ethic and his concept of citizen stewardship. Its central tenet, that by experiencing the magic of these wild lands we can be inspired to care for them, parallels Leopold’s belief that a reasonable balance between use and preservation can be attained when we are guided by the right ethic. “We can be ethical only in relation to something we can see, feel, understand, love, or otherwise have faith in,” he wrote. In other words, without opportunities to access wild places there would be little citizen stewardship.

What MITA has learned in the past two decades is that most of Maine’s residents and visitors already share many of the values inherent in Leopold’s vision. In many cases, MITA’s presence provides an avenue for channeling stewardship energies to places in need as well as a means of connecting people with others who share their passion for preserving Maine’s coastal lands. Some volunteer for the monitor skipper program or the island adopter program, and some participate in MITA’s annual island cleanups. Some seek to more fully understand Leave No Trace techniques and apply them to their own recreational pursuits, while others demonstrate to family members and friends how one can enjoy the natural world without spoiling it in the process.

Small Acts, Big ImpactLittle by little, pockets of citizen stewards have emerged from the Piscataqua River to Passamaquoddy Bay. Actions such as removing a few pieces of shoreline flotsam, packing out toilet paper or resisting the urge to peel birch bark to use in a campfire have replaced earlier habits of carefree resource consumption, tolerance for litter, and improper waste disposal on the islands. While seemingly trivial by themselves, collectively these acts add up to meaningful stewardship on the coast. continue next page

M I T A . O R G 13

Wish ListMITA is always eager to consider donations of anything from boats and vehicles to office equipment. Please call us at 207-761-8225 or email info@mita.org if you would like to donate these or other items.

STEWARDSHIP SuPPLIES• Long-handle loppers• Tree pruning saws• High-strength cordage• Come along (ratchet lever hoist)• Log hooks• Waterproof boots (all sizes)• PFDs (all sizes)• Throwable buoyant boat cushions• Working handheld VHF radios• Dry bags• Binoculars• Handheld chart plotter• Fishing/landing nets for workboats

(to retrieve floating trash)• Tarps (all sizes)• Gas powered weed whacker

• Camp kitchen supplies (pots, pans, plates, bowls, cups, etc.)

BOATS & MOTORS• Boats (sailboats, powerboats,

dinghies, kayaks, etc) of any size in seaworthy condition

• 2.5-5 HP Kicker motors for workboats

OFFICE SuPPLIES & TECHNOLOGY • Desk printers with bulk envelope

printing capacity• Computer chairs/ergonomic

equipment

SERVICES• Boat storage space• Volunteer office help• Volunteers for outreach events

Thank You Lily!What do you get when you cross a sharp intellect with a love of the outdoors and an enthusiasm that knows no bounds? Answer: an outstanding summer intern! We got all of that and more this year with Lily Morse, a Bowdoin College student who came to us via Bowdoin’s Psi Upsilon Fellowship Program. Lily helped out with stewardship work on the islands and completed a number of valuable projects in the office. She assisted with island cleanups, repaired signage, and made several island monitoring visits. In the office, she compiled literature on marine debris, digitized MITA’s print and video news archives and meticulously combed through the 2008 Handbook making edits, adding new information and revising island descriptions based on the observations she made on her island visits. She was an invaluable addition to the MITA team this summer. Thanks Lily, and best wishes for your future, which we suspect is as bright as your trademark smile.Lily (right) with volunteer Deb Morrill showing off a moose skeleton

discovered on an island cleanup Down East.

Citizen Stewards: continued from page 12

Few take notice when citizen stewards fill a grocery bag with floating plastic or steer their boats clear of hauled-out seals so as not to disturb them, but citizen stewards will tell you that it’s not acknowledgment that they seek. Their motivation comes primarily from within, from an appreciation for the natural world and an awareness that our ability to enjoy these places stretches only as far as our commitment to protect them.

While the careless actions of some, like those who ignited and then abandoned the island fire this summer, can both anger and sadden those of us who care about the coast, we should take comfort in knowing that these instances have become an exception to a larger rule. In fact, Leopold himself recognized that citizen stewardship would not put an end to mankind’s abuse of the natural world. But he said that this did not diminish the importance of the struggle to attain a better balance.

“We shall never achieve harmony with land, any more than we shall achieve absolute justice or liberty for people,” he wrote. “In these higher aspirations,” he added, “the important thing is not to achieve but to strive.”

Septuagenarians: Did you know?If you are 70 years of age or older the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 extended your ability to donate up to $100,000 from IRAs to charities tax-free. When you sell stock that has lost market value, you can deduct those losses against gains. If you gift the proceeds to charity, you can claim an itemized deduction for that gift. Please ask your tax advisor for details.

14 M I T A . O R G

Island Caretaking, By the NumbersB y r o S S B e a n e a n d e r i ka F ly n n

MITA this year was faced with the challenge of replacing beloved longtime Casco Bay Island caretaker Vinny Marotta, aka “the mayor of Jewell Island.” Luckily, our task was greatly simplified by the discovery of Ross Beane and Erika Flynn, both of whom brought excellent boating skills and an enthusiastic can-do attitude to this difficult position. Together, they were able to continue the great work of prior caretakers and make valuable improvements to the program and to the islands along the way. As the summer drew to a close, Ross and Erika took a moment to reflect on their experience on Jewell as other caretakers had done in the past. Here is what they had to say.

What would it be like to spend a summer living on Jewell Island? Erika and I found ourselves asking this question one day in March after being offered the Casco Bay Island Caretaker position. From our snowy vantage in the Rockies, Jewell Island looked distant and pristine; the archetype of the Maine coast we were anxious (homesick?) to return to. I had illusions of Robinson Crusoe accommodations, myself with a long beard and Erika adorned with a primitive headdress of wrinkled rose and rockweed.

From where I sit now, leaning against the aluminum hull of a MITA Lund, myself with a scrubby mustache and Erika adorned with tall rubber boots and a PFD, Jewell is in sharper focus. From here I can see the still smoldering fire rings and the early morning clinking of cocktail glasses in the crowded anchorage around us.

Jewell, one of the most popular islands on the Trail, is a microcosm for issues affecting the Maine coast. Life here is like a crash course in land management, ecology, history, first aid, island politics, commercial fisheries, and wilderness keg parties. Beyond educational, life here is exciting; there is always something to see, do, or cleanup. After all these weeks there are still parts of the island we haven’t explored and surprises around every corner.

Erika and I are not the first caretakers to be stationed on Jewell; for eight years MITA has commissioned brave souls to keep an eye on the goings on out here. A big part of our job is simply trying to live up to the standards set

by previous caretakers. At least once a day someone hails us from a boat or rounds the corner into the campsite shouting “Vinn-nay!” followed by a look of disappointment when he or she gets close enough to see that we clearly are no Vinny.

To tell the story of just three months on Jewell Island would require that this newsletter be bound in hardcover. So instead of spending the yearly budget on printing and shipping, we’ve decided to crunch the numbers and give you an abbreviated version. The following will hopefully give you some clues as to the nature of our existence this past summer:

• 500 or so feet of rope collected from the beaches

• 243 pounds of ice carried out for food storage (a couple of gallons a week)

• 64 bags of trash collected and removed from the island

• 50 or so stunning sunsets observed

• 44 visits to other islands (Bangs, Crow, Little Chebeauge and Cow)

• 40 feet of vertical tree climbing to remove a widow maker from the campsite

• 14 weeks spent living in a tent• 13 bags of recyclables collected and

removed from the island• 5 privies regularly treated and

maintained• 4 hours rescuing a pneumonia-stricken

baby seal in a thunderstorm (brought to UNE)

• 3 lost boats that left their party stranded ashore (all recovered)

• 2 anchor draggings that resulted in collisions (both boats over 30 feet)

• 1 cannon battle with real black powder 10 pounders

Plus countless other oddities that you’ll just have to experience for yourself by applying for the caretaker position next summer. Thanks everybody who made it out to see us for a great summer!

The caretakers rescue a stranded baby seal—one of many interesting memories they’ll take away from their summer on Jewell Island.

M I T A . O R G 15

Show Your Support with MITA ApparelLooking for another great way to support MITA? Why not choose one that makes you look great in return? Our new line of MITA apparel is made of top-quality material and locally embroidered on the Maine coast. Choose from a variety of items in a range of styles and colors, including:

• Baseball caps• Fleece vests and jackets• Denim long sleeve shirts• Polo shirts• T-shirts

Check out our website for product and ordering information, www.mita.org.

Get Published!The Island Trail welcomes article submissions on boating tips and techniques, island trips, the coastal environment and wildlife, and other topics that are of interest to MITA members. For more information or to submit an article, contact Kevin Lomangino, kevinl@maine.rr.com or 207-799-6530.

Winter’s Here: Is Your Outboard Ready?New England winters are notorious for cutting short the working lives of anything mechanical. That’s why a careful winterization process is one of the most important steps you can take to maintain your outboard motor, says Cym Hughes, Yard Manager at Strouts Point Wharf Company in Freeport.

MITA relies on Strouts Point for maintenance on the Honda outboards that we use on our workboats. So we can vouch for Cym’s expertise when it comes to keeping your engine running reliably year after year. (By the way, Strouts Point also leases the outboards to MITA for free as part of a very generous donation that keeps our fleet moving.)

Cym says that a few hours’ investment in winterizing can help prevent corrosion and other problems that can lead to big repair bills. He offers the following fall checklist to help assure a smooth-starting engine come springtime.

Eight Steps for Winterizing a Two-Stroke Outboard• Run engine with fresh water for five minutes to flush.

• Replace fuel filters; check spark plugs and replace if oily or sooty.

• Remove carburetor airbox, start engine, and remove fuel line. Spray engine fogging oil into carburetors until exhaust smoke turns white. For fuel-injected engines, remove spark plugs and spray fogging oil directly into cylinders.

• Crank engine with emergency stop lanyard off so engine will not start.

• Lightly spray WD-40 all over engine to prevent corrosion.

• Change lower unit gear oil, as well as gaskets on drain screws.

• Grease all fittings with marine grease.

• Add fuel stabilizer to tank, or remove gas if using a portable tank.

For four-stroke engines the steps are the same except you need to change the oil and oil filter once the engine is flushed, Cym adds. You should also drain the gas from the carburetors or from the fuel separators if you have a fuel-injected model.

Of course, the easiest way to prepare your outboard properly is simply to take it on down to Strouts Point and let the professionals winterize it for you. Prices for Honda four-strokes range from about $100 to $275 depending on the horsepower rating.

MITA encourages members to support the businesses that support the Trail. For boat repair, storage, and dockage, please consider taking your vessel to the knowledgeable, helpful folks at Strouts Point!

58 FORE STREET, SuITE 30-3

PORTLAND, MAINE 04101

207.761.8225

MITA.ORG

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PAIDMAINE ISLAND TRAIL

ASSOCIATION

Member Benefits include:

>> MITA’s annual Guide, which details in-formation on over 170 sites on the Maine coast accessible to members.

>> A twice-yearly members-only newsletter

>> Informative monthly e-newsletter, detailing stories, cleanups and other events happening on the Trail

>> Special benefits and discounts available only to MITA members

>> The joy of knowing that by being a part of the Maine Island Trail Association, you are keeping Maine’s wild islands accessible for years to come

GIVE THE GIFT OF MEMBERSHIPThis holiday season, show your support for, and share your love of, the outdoors with a friend or loved one by

giving a gift membership to the Maine Island Trail Association. If you order a membership before December

19, a membership card and note indicating your gift will arrive just in time for Christmas.

Give online at www.mita.org/gift or call the office at 207-761-8225.