February Vacation Camp celebrates its 5th year, Patten Winterfest, General Management Plan update, and more…
Above, friendship forged in snow at Vacation Camp in Millinocket. Photo credit: FKWW
This newsletter is coming to you in the third week of March, a time of year defined by the tension of transitions. Patches of snow dot the landscape still. The driveway is softening each afternoon, half of it following us into the house in our boot treads, and the roads are bubbling up with frost heaves imperil all but the highest-clearance vehicles.
But beyond the slush and dirty snowbanks, the forest is a lovely place to explore in March. Every day the sun shines more directly, lasting longer into the afternoon. We can stop, take our gloves off, and enjoy a pocket-stashed sandwich with the cheerful song of the chickadees (listen for “Cheeseburger!” or “Hey Sweetie!”) that by March fills the air, belying the sparse visual evidence of the little songbirds.
And if the exertion of snowshoeing or skiing through the heavy, soft snow has you steaming in your parka, it might not be a bad idea to take a cue from these happy campers at the Katahdin Learning Project’s February Vacation Camp last month, and flop down into it for a few minutes of rest and a fresh perspective. Open your eyes to the brilliant blue optimism of a March sky! [Note: the rain and warmth since this email was composed have brought an end the ski/snowshoe season. But once the clouds part, we will really enjoy those blue skies.]
Read on for the latest news from Friends and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument!
Click for our latest blog post about their trip to Haskell Hut! Photo credit: Elaine Hendrickson
Five Years of Fun and Learning at Vacation Camp
In late 2021, as families and communities began to relax the social distancing of the Covid-19 pandemic, children were having a rough time. Erratic school closures, missing friends, teachers, and coaches, and witnessing the stress of adults in their lives had left a lot of kids more comfortable with a screen in their hands than being together with peers.
The Katahdin Learning Project (Friends’ place-based education program) team wanted to help kids feel connected again. Educators imagined a program that went beyond their popular in-school nature lessons – something immersive, rooted in place and community, and built to foster a sense of belonging. And the idea for Vacation Camp was born!
2026’s February Vacation Camp was KLP’s 5th year running of our week of school-break winter wonder (and April will mark the 4th year of mud-season magic). Camp is a safe, educational, and super fun four days of fresh air, friends, fur pelts with a National Park Service Ranger…and so much more.
Vacation camp serves Millinocket-area kids in K-5th grade, but as our oldest campers aged out, KLP designed volunteer Ambassador and Leader positions for middle and high school students – complete with real-world application, training, and evaluation processes. And the youth aren’t the only beneficiaries! Friends of KWW could not do Vacation Camp alone – and we’ve only grown stronger as an organization by the partnerships nurtured along the way. Thank you to: Outdoor Sport Institute/Katahdin Gear Library, Millinocket Schools, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, Baxter State Park, Friends of Baxter State Park, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, Northern Forest Center, Katahdin Collaborative, and many individuals!
Vacation Campers head outdoors for much of the week. Photo credit: FKWW
Impactful programs like Vacation Camp thrive when the community is invested in its success, and we are so grateful for the philanthropic community that believes in our mission to build a new generation of leaders, learners, and advocates who are deeply rooted in the Katahdin region and committed to its care. Special thanks to those who have helped underwrite Vacation Camp, including the Onion Foundation, Peter Alfond Foundation, Northern Penobscot Activities Council, and of course, members like YOU.
Inside Camp’s home base of the Millinocket Memorial Library, a snow science lesson with KAWW’s Ranger Crystal introducing scientific methodologies and learning about the animals who live in our region with special guest Baxter State Park Ranger Cassandra. Photo credit: FKWW
Celebrating Snow at Patten Winterfest
The very last day of February was a great day to be in Patten at the Lumberman’s Museum for the 2nd annual Winterfest! Conceived and created by folks at the National Park Service at Katahdin Woods and Waters and Maine Forest Service, the free, family-focused event showcased 19 local and state organizations with nearly 40 volunteers and educators sharing winter knowledge and skills with 138 children, caregivers, and community members!
Wild winds didn’t dampen the fun, although attendees were grateful for the stations inside the Lumberman’s Museum – alternating activities like trying out cross-country skiing or snowshoeing with the Katahdin Gear Library with checking out antique logging equipment or racing through the animal obstacle course before warming up at Friends’ information station inside – many thanks to our corporate sponsor Katahdin Trust for keeping the cocoa cups full! Friends’ staff Kala, Michelle, and Brian all pitched in and enjoyed catching up with parents, community members, and supporters in a fun setting.
In the Katahdin region, embracing winter is a way of life, and Friends is honored to play a role in bringing the community together to celebrate winter recreation (some folks even arrived by snowmobile!) and learn how nature adapts to cold and snow.
A Lumberman’s museum blacksmithing demonstration and an original KLP obstacle course that teaches animal adaptations. Photo credits: FKWW
Just Around the Corner – Membership May
While most of Maine dries out from the melting blanket of snow, the calendar marches on and spring will be here before we know it. Friends’ staff are looking forward to kicking off the monument’s 10th anniversary season with our popular Membership May series – at four different brewpubs around the state!
Whether you’ve been paddling the East Branch since before the log drives ended, or you’re still looking forward to your first visit to Katahdin Woods and Waters, plan to make a stop at one (or more) of our Membership May events to pick up a monument map and Friends’ annual impact report, chat with staff, volunteers, and members, learn about progress on the monument’s General Management Plan, and much more. Oh, and the pizza is on us!
Mark your calendar and register for one or more of these free events today.
Thursday, May 7th – 4:30-6pm at Maine Beer Company in Freeport
Monday, May 11th – 4:30-6pm at Fogtown Brewing in Ellsworth
Thursday, May 21st – 5-7pm at Knife Edge Brewing in Millinocket
Thursday, May 28th – 5-7pm at Katahdin Brew Works in Patten
The monument’s dirt roads won’t open for visitor traffic until the mud is fully dry, usually around Memorial Day, so May will be a good time to oil up your hiking boots, pull the leaves out of the canoe, and join fellow Friends at the nearest Membership May event to you. See you there!At every stop along the way, we get to see Friends from different corners of Maine! Left to right, Fogtown Brewing Co in Ellsworth and Katahdin Brew Works in Patten. Photo credits: FKWW
Behind the Signs – News From Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
Katahdin Woods and Water National Monument has launched the development of their General Management Plan, the formal process that builds off previous work around public listening sessions and the draft management framework. This plan provides long term direction around resource protection, visitor experience, access, and facilities. The first opportunity for public engagement is being planned for the last week of April and first week of May. Both virtual and in-person options will be available to comment on draft concepts of the monument’s zoning and desired conditions. KAWW Superintendent Neal Labrie said,
“Stay tuned in to NPS social media and web announcements for specific dates, times, and locations for civic engagement sessions. We also plan to hold some less formal drop-in opportunities that will provide information and opportunities for local conversation.”
Sponsor Spotlight
Membership May is when we kick off our 2026 year-long sponsorship recognition. If you are connected to a business or nonprofit that cares deeply about our national parks system, the Katahdin region, or sharing the rich history and ecology of the national monument with meaningful experiences, join companies like Wright-Ryan, 2025 Lookout Level sponsor. For more than 40 years, they’ve shaped northern New England through lasting relationships and even longer-lasting buildings. Thank you!
Your business or organization can be a part of the movement to preserve and protect Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument for the benefit of local communities and visitors from around the world. We are happy to customize a sponsorship package that works best for your brand. Visit our sponsorship page, call (207) 808-0020 or email sarah@friendsofkww.org today to learn more.
This blog post was adapted from an email sent on March 17th, 2026. Sign up for our email list at friendsofkww.org/signup
This trip report was written and shared with Friends by frequent monument visitors Eric and Elaine Hendrickson.
This trip was the fourth of the year and perhaps the last for the season. The first trip was to check on the wood supply where I had the chance to help the ranger fill the wood shed with some well-seasoned wood for the winter users. The second trip was a three day adventure in extremely cold windy weather in January. The third trip was a day trip again just to explore some beaver ponds near the hut. This latest trip was a three-day trip in what would become the warmest winter trip we have ever taken. It was the annual winter birthday trip for Elaine. Not being sure what the trail would be like we had skis, snowshoes and micro spikes. When we arrived we realized there would not be a need for either the snowshoes or micro-spikes so they stayed in the truck.
We loaded the sleds up with all that we would need for the three day adventure and headed down the trail. The snow was in great shape and the warm weather had flattened the trail making hauling the sleds easier. The blue bird sky overhead made for exceptional skiing. As we approached “Mother Nature’s Garden,” we met the folks who had stayed in the hut the night before just finishing up their trip. We finally decided to take a break at Haskell Gate where we had a snack.
The next stop was the ponds just beyond the gate, where we poked around checking out the otter signs. Back on the trail again, we once again parked the sleds on the side of the trail just before Stair Fall turn off to check out a kettlehole bog with an amazing view of Traveler Mountain. With the clear blue sky, it did not disappoint even if it did not have much snow remaining. Back through the forest to our sleds and onto the hut.
The hut was as welcoming as ever, super clean with a wood box filled with well-seasoned wood. I started a fire in the wood stove so I could bake a birthday cake and fix dinner. Soon the cake was done and it was wine o’clock, time for crackers, cheese and huckleberry wine. We have never depended on cookware in the hut and have always carried our own which makes cooking that much easier. Dinner was tortellini in sauce finished with a birthday cake baked in the pot. The only birthday candle that I had was a miners candle, but it worked. After dinner a bit of reading time before bed. We left the candle burning in a small tin, which surprisingly lasted all night.
Up early with a late start caused by the potatoes, eggs and cheese breakfast. We hit the trail at 9:30, headed for Big Spring Hut and beyond. Shortly after we left, we met the rangers coming in to check on things; Ranger Roger gave us the bad news about the weather, which was forecast to be almost 50 and perhaps 60 the next day. On the way to the hut, we had two amazing wildlife sightings. Soon after the ranger passed us, there were fresh lynx tracks over the snowsled track. We followed them to the top of the hill where we stopped to visited an area of rock formation off the trail. Heading down the hill toward Messer Pond, a little brown bat came out of the woods, circled me once then flew down the trail and circled Elaine. We were both able to watch it fly down the trail before it flew into the forest. Seeing a bat while skiing was a first for me.
The next stop was a side ski into Messer Pond where someone had nicely cut all the trees that had fallen across the pond. The plan was to ski around the pond but it was covered with several inches of water, so we continued onto Big Spring Hut. The bare spots that had been in the trail in January were now covered with snow. The last little bit into the hut was in the shade and downhill making the trip a bit faster and much more out of control than I would have liked. The hut was clean and cold inside so we ate lunch on the porch in the sun. After lunch, we decided to head for the lookout but only made it as far as the brook because the snow was much too soft and the going difficult. So we turned around headed back to Haskell before it got too hot.
We arrived back at Haskell Hut just in time to finish the wine and cheese before diving into a dinner of tacos and cake. The night brought on a howling wind storm that made sleeping difficult. We could hear branches breaking and hitting the roof of the cabin and the temperature kept getting warmer throughout the night. We woke early the next morning to fine much of the snow gone around the hut. A quick breakfast of potatoes and eggs gave us an early start. During breakfast it was a wildlife bonanza; first, there were two adult bald eagles feeding on something trapped in the ice. While I was taking a photo of the eagles I noticed a coyote in the background watching the birds feed. Out of nowhere, a golden eagle came in to feed, and the bald eagles backed off and just watched. It was amazing how much larger the golden eagle is compared to the bald eagles. After we loaded up the sleds to head out we noticed three otters feeding on the ice. We also saw a large moose feeding across the river. This was by far the best wildlife viewing we have had on any trip.
The trip out was much as expected with branches littering the trail and a tree across our path that we had to lift the sleds over to continue. The snow was a bit sloppy but the temperatures were fine considering we had very little on. About half way out, we met a couple from New Hampshire headed in, so we stopped to talk for too long. We were about a half mile from the car when the heat hit; it was like skiing into a wall of heat. The snow became super soft, and things started to slow down. We reached the truck and loaded up where the temperature on the dash read 65 which is way too hot to ski. All in all for a 75th birthday camping trip, it was great with all the wildlife and blue skies. Still hoping for the snow to remain for my birthday and a Quebec mountain camping trip.
Welcoming new staff and board, the winter trail report, learning winter safety, and a fresh look for the eNewsletter!
Winter at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is a study in contrasts: its still, stark beauty invites well-bundled adventurers to experience a stunning landscape, but extreme cold, deep snowpack, and the remote backcountry pose risks. Recreating safely requires specific knowledge, gear, and a clear head when things don’t go the way we planned.
For those who are prepared and embrace the challenge of winter camping, perhaps spotting moose or lynx tracks on an overnight cross-country ski trek to Haskell or Big Spring Brook Hut will be the highlight of winter! Or you may prefer to “nest” inside with your maps and guides, like the black bears, porcupines, and other critters hidden below the snow, dreaming of warm summer nights. Either way, Friends gets you! There is a way for everyone to preseve, protect, and enjoy public lands.
And while we love every season, we are already looking forward to August, which marks the 10th anniversary of the designation of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument! Save the date now for Woods & Waters Day on Saturday, August 15, and stay tuned to this newsletter and our social media for all the fun details as we move into spring. We’re delighted to share that the staff, board, and membership (that’s you!) of Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters has grown – and excited to celebrate and reflect on the past ten years together. Below, meet the new faces who are working to channel your passion and resolve to protect KAWW for future generations. Also in this newsletter: the monument grooming report, local students learn how to stay safe in the cold, legislation to protect Maine’s dark skies, and more.
New Board and Staff Bring Knowledge, Experience, and Passion
At the December meeting, Friends’ directors elected three new members to the board, expanding the depth of expertise and relationships to the National Park Service, the Katahdin region, and the land. Meet Carla Chung Mattix, a 25-year veteran lawyer with the NPS; John Pond, Patten native and Executive Vice President/Environmental Programs at engineering firm Haley Ward; and Linda Qualey of Benedicta, who spent her career in nonprofit fundraising and management roles. A full listing of board members and their biographies can be found at friendsofkww.org/board.
And just this month, our education team, the Katahdin Learning Project, hired a second educator to join the team year-round! Raised in the Katahdin region, Michelle returned home almost a decade ago and comes to Friends from Houlton High School where she was the school librarian and founded the outdoor club! A Registered Maine Guide with experience throughout the region including in Baxter State Park, Michelle, in her words, is excited “to help others become relentlessly curious about their interdependence on their environment, their communities, the world, and their future selves.”
Always, the heart of Friends is you – the members who make it all possible. Are you one of the “new faces” at Friends as well? Dozens of individuals, families, and small family foundations joined Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters in 2025 for the first time. Welcome!
Frosty Fun with Winter Safety Lessons
Would you know what to do if a winter medical emergency happened out on the trail? After a recent session with the Katahdin Learning Project, these teenagers do! On a frigid mid-January afternoon, students at Katahdin High School learned how to prevent, identify, and treat two of the most common cold weather injuries – hypothermia and frostbite. Friends’ Education Manager Elise Goplerud introduced experiential activities and led role-playing scenarios, even applying costume make-up on their hands to similate frostbite. A Registered Maine Recreational Guide with extensive experience in the backcountry in winter, Elise reported that the students were curious and focused while practicing real-world skills – plus had a lot of fun getting into the hypo-wrap!
This and all programs of Friends’ place-based education team Katahdin Learning Project was provided at no cost to the school. Working with local teachers year after to year to craft meaningful, memorable lessons – aligned with Maine Learning Results standards and the classroom curriculum – is among the most impactful work that your support makes possible.
Landmark Law Protecting Dark Skies
If you have gazed up at the stars or been lucky enough to witness the Aurora Borealis here in the Katahdin region, you’ve enjoyed an increasingly imperiled natural resource – dark skies. Advocating for the protection of the dark has been a key part of Friends’ work since 2017, with a tireless push for Dark Sky Sanctuary designation succeeding in 2020.
In the spring of 2025, joining representatives from The Nature Conservancy, Dark Sky Maine, and Maine Audubon, Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters submitted testimony in support of “An Act to Promote Responsible Outdoor Lighting.” Just this month, that bill became law – granting Maine one of the most comprehensive and specific outdoor lighting laws in the country. We are honored to promote dark sky protection for everyone – having witnessed the excitement and awe that simply looking up in the absence of light pollution can elicit. As Executive Director Brian Hinrichs stated:
“…the benefits can multiply out for all. As a Dark Sky Sanctuary, we have seen astro-tourism growing in the Katahdin region: at last year’s Stars Over Katahdin event, a family journeyed from Boston to experience the dark skies.”
Beyond our human enjoyment of seeing the stars at night, the benefit to wildlife and ecosystems could be profound. As we learn more about the importance of the dark to animal migrations, mating, hunting, and more, conserving and even restoring dark skies are important and achievable goals. View the full legislation of LD 1934 here – and learn more about why dark skies matter with these resources from the National Park Service.
Behind the Signs – News from the NPS at Katahdin Woods and Waters
Winter is definitely the quiet season for Katahdin Woods and Waters – unless you happen to be one of the visitors passing through on the ITS snowmobile trail network – but that doesn’t mean the year-round park staff aren’t busy! KAWW Superintendent Neal LaBrie and his team are grooming cross-country ski trails, monitoring wildlife via game cameras, recruiting and hiring seasonal staff for summer 2026, and planning events.
The KAWW facilities team recently installed a larger wood stove at Big Spring Brook Hut, one of the two backcountry cabins available for winter camping. This long-awaited upgrade will provide the increased heat needed to keep the cabin warm for those putting in the extra miles and effort to spend the night. The installation was well-timed for current conditions, with average overnight lows around zero degrees fahrenheit in the last two weeks. Brr!
The 2nd Annual Patten Winterfest on Saturday, February 28th from 1-5 pm at the Patten Lumbermans Museum! Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, the Maine Forest Service, Friends, and many others will be teaming up to to create interactive stations for youth and their families to learn all about winter ecology, recreation, safety, and more. Visit the NPS Event Calendar for the full listing. Hope to see you there!
PLUS…
Have you dreamed of working for the park service? Don’t delay – Katahdin Woods and Waters is currently seeking applicants for summer positions including trail maintenance, with many closing this week. View job postings at USAjobs.com by searching location “Patten Maine” or keyword “Katahdin.” Find tips and learn how to create a profile for job alerts at nps.gov/KAWW/getinvolved/workwithus.
Grooming is underway in the monument at the North Gate! Find general information at the official Winter Trail Conditions page in the Plan Your Visit section of the NPS KAWW website. After winter storms, trails will be groomed as soon as possible. Always check snowfall reports and weather conditions before heading out (Friends will also share updates on Facebook when available).
This blog post was adapted from an email sent on February 9, 2026. Sign up for our email list at friendsofkww.org/signup
Through a challenging year, one thing was constant – your love for this place.
Looking across monument land to Katahdin from east to west. Photo credit: Ross Knowlton
At the end of each year, nonprofit staff are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from our members, donors, supporting partners, and community folks who take some time from their OWN busy holiday preparations to sit down and write a check, click to make an online donation, or share our posts on social media. Supporting Friends, or any nonprofit, is an act of love without guarantees, based in trust. Thank you all for your support!
After a year with many ups and downs, especially challenging our national park staff, we at Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters are so grateful to have been able to invest in the things that you believe in – improving access, safety, and educational opportunities in the national monument and helping people of all ages learn about and visit this special place. As Friends’ staff takes a little break over the next few days, we’re sharing some of our favorite moments from 2025. Stay tuned for all the news, inside tips, and updates from the park service in the eNews next year!As always, reply to ask me a question or share a story from your visit to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Maybe we’ll feature YOU in a future newsletter!
Stars Over Katahdin – A Night of Wonder and Learning
Click image to view full gallery! Photo credit: JM Naturescapes/Justin Miller
In late September – right before the federal government shutdown – Friends, NPS staff, and hundreds of passionate and curious people of all ages from the Katahdin region and beyond gathered for our annual celebration of the darkest skies east of the Mississippi. Stars Over Katahdin 2025 was our largest ever, with an estimated 400-plus attendees enjoying activities for kids, a lecture on “Penobscot Sense of Place,” music from the Burnurwurbsek Singers (Penobscot drumming group), and observing celestial bodies guided by expert astronomers. Stars Over Katahdin invites us to understand the “land” in a whole new way. Save the date: Saturday, October 3, 2026. Hope to see you next year under clear skies!
Learning to Love the Outdoors
Making outdoor learning is a natural part of the school day! Click image for more photos on Facebook. Photo: FKWW
2025 may be over, but at the Katahdin Learning Project, Friends’ outdoor education program, it’s halfway through the school year – and so far the exploration, discovery, and fun has included:
Cooking over a campfire at Stearns High School
Exploring nature art at Katahdin Elementary
Practicing Penobscot moon names at Stearns Middle School
Building nature awareness and observation skills with Lee Winn Elementary
Constructing winter shelters at Southern Aroostook Community School
Learning map and compass skills at Katahdin High School
Since the beginning of the school year, KLP has led 43 programs and worked with 700 students. We’re grateful for our students, educators, and partners – as well as our supporters who make this work possible – and excited for what the rest of the year will bring! Learn more about the programs here.
Tekαkαpimək Contact Station Gains Recognition in First Season
The building’s sweeping curves are clad in eastern cedar. Photo: James Florio
At a December 11th awards ceremony in Boston, Tekαkαpimək Contact Station was named New England Project of the Year by the Engineering News Record. This prestigious award recognizes the innovative construction, design, and sustainability features of Tekαkαpimək. Earlier this fall, Tekαkαpimək was awarded the Juror’s Choice Award by the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) at the Interpretive Media Awards, the NAI’s highest honor.
These awards add to a growing list of recognition for Tekαkαpimək, which now serves as a gateway to the monument for thousands of visitors, orienting them to the land through a Wabanaki worldview. It is powerful to see all facets of this uniquely collaborative project recognized, and we are grateful to the many partners and donors who supported this vision. Learn more about Tekαkαpimək Contact Station (currently closed for the winter) and plan your visit in 2026!
Progress on Priority Park Projects
An improved Katahdin Overlook will reopen summer 2026. Photo: A. Longman, NPS
2025 was a major year for Friends-funded Priority Park Projects. The Loop Road Katahdin Overlook redesign neared completion and will be ready for visitors in 2026. A new rest stop and short trail on the Hunt Farm Parcel along Swift Brook Road was completed. Road maintenance and stream crossing improvements continued, and key steps were taken in finalizing plans for new signage and wayfinding throughout the monument. We look forward to our continued partnership with NPS as these and other critical investments come to fruition!
Behind the Signs – Start Your Trip at NPS.gov/KAWW
From the beginning, Friends has provided guidance, advice, and trip reports to help visitors navigate a new unit of our national parks system. As Katahdin Woods and Waters is about to enter its 10th year, we are happy to report that the official NPS website has expanded to include far more information than we could hope to share. In fact, Friends’ staff regularly check the KAWW site for inspiration and updates on our day-off adventures! Spend an afternoon browsing to ensure you don’t miss anything, but here are some of our favorite features:
Things to Do includes hikes in the northern and southern sections, stargazing, and more
Winter Activities helps you plan your snow-globe perfect adventure, including very important safety considerations
How to download the NPS App and use it offline so you can access information without cell phone coverage
Sponsor Spotlight
Sponsors helped bring community together at events. Photos: Hannah DeTour
We’ll keep highlighting our wonderful sponsors individually in this space in 2026 because they each deserve a unique shoutout. But together, our sponsors are something truly special! More than 20 local businesses, nonprofits, and corporations pitched in to support our annual Woods & Waters Day, with many trekking north to attend the party at Shin Pond Village. Sponsorship is a key piece of Friends’ funding pie, and we are excited to grow the program and expand opportunities for engagement with the business community.
The Environmental Educator supports the Katahdin Learning Project (KLP), an initiative of Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters (FKWW) that connects youth to their local landscapes, communities, and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Working with staff, partners, and volunteers, the Educator helps inspire curiosity, environmental stewardship, and a sense of place among students in the Katahdin region.
For general management and support, the Educator works under the supervision of the Education Coordinator. This part-time position will ideally start on January 19th. The position will average 20 hours per week. Weeks with overnight trips or special programs may include additional hours, balanced by lighter weeks that bring the average to 20 hours. A small portion of the work may be completed remotely.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
School Year
Teach hands-on, standards-linked lessons at schools and outdoor settings
Lead students on hikes, paddles, and citizen science projects
Facilitate outdoor skills, social-emotional learning and team-building activities
Support week-long Vacation Camp programs during school breaks
Lead approximately three overnight trips during the academic year
Record participation data
Maintain supplies, and assist with post-program cleanup and surveys
Summer
Lead day and multi-day overnight excursions for middle and high school students, including hiking, biking, and paddling programs
Ensure participant safety, foster teamwork, and create memorable learning experiences.
Assist with trip planning and logistics
Contribute to marketing and outreach through social media posts, photography, and flyers
Community Events (throughout year)
Assist team leads with events such as Teacher Camp, Leave No Trace Trainer courses, and Stars Over Katahdin through preparation, facilitation, and participant support
Other duties
Submit timecard on a biweekly basis
Submit expense report on a monthly basis
Additional relevant tasks may be assigned from other FKWW teams (Finance, Development, Grants, Operations, Events, and Communications)
Attend a range of professional development opportunities when applicable and available
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
Strong skills in safety, group management, problem-solving, environmental ethics, and lesson delivery across indoor and outdoor settings
2-3 years of experience working with children in indoor and/or outdoor environments
Demonstrated experience and comfort in the outdoors, including hiking, camping, and canoeing. Basic knowledge of Maine’s natural history
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and community partners
Passion for youth development, environmental stewardship, and place-based education
Clean driving and criminal record; background check required
Must live in the Katahdin region
Must be willing to acquire a Maine Rec Guide license if not already obtained
Preferred:
Current First Aid and CPR Certification (Wilderness First Aid Preferred)
Maine Recreation Guide
Leave No Trace Level 1 or 2 Certification
WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The Educator should expect to be exposed to: heat/cold, outdoor and office environments, inclement weather, and biting insects.
This work requires computer access. Candidates are required to have access to a public or personal computer to communicate through email, use shared organizational documents, and submit time cards and expense reports.
Physical demands include: carrying a backpack up to 30 lbs, sitting, standing, camping, walking, hiking, kneeling, handling/repetitive motion, driving, use of keyboard or other digital dexterity, peripheral vision, use of written or verbal sources of information like reading reports, use of oral communication to perform work.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The Environmental Educator is paid $23/hour, subject to federal and state tax withholdings.
Part-time employees who work between 20 and 40 hours per week accrue Paid Time Off on a prorated basis.
Professional development to acquire required certifications and skills as necessary.
The Educator has the option to receive pro-rated health and dental benefits.
Travel reimbursement to program sites is available to employees at the current federal rate per mile. Travel to the FKWW Patten office is not reimbursable. Expenses and travel are reimbursed on a monthly basis after the submission of an expense report.
Pro-rated phone reimbursement
LOCATION & TRAVEL
The Educator is based out of the Friends of KWW office in Patten, Maine. Travel to other locations within the Katahdin Region is a frequent requirement of this job. The employee must maintain a reliable car and valid driver’s license. Travel on rough dirt roads will be required occasionally.
TO APPLY
Please provide a cover letter stating your interest in the position and your resume to info@friendsofkww.org. References may be requested further in the hiring process.
PLEASE NOTE
This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position’s activities and requirements, Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary.
External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed on this job description) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case by case basis.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters employs without discrimination as to age, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics under federal, state, and local law. Our work environment reflects and recognizes the individual dignity of each employee and provides equal opportunity in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, promotion, and all other conditions and privileges of employment.
Federal shutdown impacts, Stars Over Katahdin wrap-up, fall education program highlights, gate closures, and more…
Setting up camp before Stars Over Katahdin, September 23rd. Photo credit: Justin Miller
It is a difficult moment for our national parks, the dedicated workforce of the National Park Service who are nearly all currently furloughed, and for our gateway communities. Please know that Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters, like philanthropic park partners across the country, is working in creative and responsive ways to support this special place and all who care for it. Your care and concern for the national monument is powerful, and your donations, advocacy, and support of regional businesses makes a difference!
Below is a frank update from Friends’ Executive Director Brian Hinrichs. Please reach out if you have additional questions or thoughts to share. Finally – enjoy this stunning image of Katahdin rising beyond the vibrant foliage of the national monument – a reminder to pause and appreciate the beauty that surrounds here in the Katahdin region, and throughout our country – from vast landscapes to tiny parks. Thanks for caring for them.
A Message from Friends’ Executive Director Brian Hinrichs
Friends,
We are entering day 30 of the federal government shutdown. After Friends provided emergency funding to keep Tekαkαpimək Contact Station open for two critical weekends, the building is now closed for the season. The monument’s roads, trails, and overlooks remain mostly open, but services and maintenance are limited – and the regular seasonal closure of Loop Road is approaching on November 3rd. Please be extra cautious if you’re planning a trip into the monument.
What does this all mean?
We have our immediate concerns and questions about the shutdown. How are furloughed NPS staff doing, now that they’ve missed multiple paychecks, and with no end in sight? Has any damage occurred to the natural and cultural resources within the monument, as it remains open but with just one person monitoring nearly 90,000 acres? Will those potential visitors who cancelled plans or drove in to find locked doors return in the future? And what about the park projects that are now stalled, is there any hope they get done before the snow flies?
Our biggest concern, though, is that this moment fits a trend that has been accelerating over the last 10 months: long-term damage to the National Park Service workforce. NPS year-round staffing is already down 24% after firings, retirements, and buyouts, and seasonal positions were only filled with a 60% success rate this year. What will that hiring look like next year and beyond? Who will sign up for the constant threats of a “reduction in force”, missed paychecks, and job descriptions that expand with each passing day? The morale of current park staff has been severely damaged all year, and it is hard not to see the very mission of NPS as being under attack.
So it begs the question, what can we do now? Shutdown or no shutdown, we need to prevent further cuts and restore funding and staffing to the National Park Service. That is a message you can bring to your elected federal officials. At Friends, this is what we are advocating for, while we assess this rapidly changing landscape for park partners like us. In the meantime, we will continue to serve our community by inspiring the future stewards of this special place and bringing people together to appreciate the beauty, history, and future of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.
In gratitude,
Stars Over Katahdin – A Night of Wonder and Learning
Click image to view full gallery of images! Photo credit: JM Naturescapes/Justin Miller
Can you believe it? More than a month has passed since we gathered for the 12th annual Stars Over Katahdin! The moon is again waxing, and our hearts remain full with gratitude for everyone who made this night so special. If you were among the estimated 400 people who showed up to experience the magic, are one of our amazing corporate or nonprofit sponsors underwriting the event, or provided the cultural and scientific activities that delighted and educated the crowds – thank you!
I have been to many sky watches and I have to say that these were the most polite and respectful group of folks I have ever dealt with. …they were engaging, testing my knowledge on a variety of topics…I walked away realizing that the night sky is ingrained in the local culture with their passion. -Rich Demidio, volunteer astronomer
If you are inspired to learn more or take action to protect this spectacular resource, check out the links below to get started – and if you have further questions about stargazing or have a special moment to share from that night, let me know by replying to this email.
⭐Dark Sky Maine – Promotes an appreciation of the night sky through education and by supporting measures that use appropriate lighting to provide security on the ground, promote the health of humans and nocturnal wildlife, while maintaining dark skies overhead.
⭐International Dark Sky Association – Restores the nighttime environment and protects communities from the harmful effects of light pollution through outreach, advocacy, and conservation.
Gathering at the campsite before a night of stargazing. Photo credit: Justin Miller
By October, Friends’ place-based education program, Katahdin Learning Project, is back in full swing with regular school programming, visiting classrooms from Patten to Millinocket. Fall is the busiest time of year for KLP, with the schedule of programs through January filling almost as soon as registration opened! We know our students and teachers value these programs, and education staff are just as excited to reconnect with familiar students and meet new faces in the fresh outdoor air. Alongside school visits, in September, 18 local middle and high school kids had a blast at the annual Stars Over Katahdin youth camping trip, where students make memories and friends at a just-for-them dark skies experience.
Fall programming is Education Coordinator Elise Goplerud’s favorite time for KLP. “The crisp weather, chance to reconnect with students after the summer, and endless opportunities for learning make it a special time of year.” Recently, Elise spent the day teaching teens in Millinocket all about fire. Students in the high school’s Outdoor Ed II class practiced building fires safely from materials found on the land – no easy feat on a rainy and windy day, but they succeeded before the bell rang! The class took away the value of learning tree species, Leave No Trace principles, and weather awareness from the experience. Later, an English class recalled the fire as inspiration for a writing exercise, and a final group learned to cook over both flames and coals.
Another recent lesson brought first graders out the back door of the school and into the woods outside to practice observation and awareness skills – with plenty of time and opportunity to touch and smell fall flora and say hello to two spotted salamanders found peeking out of the forest duff.
Built with intention, outdoor lessons like these nurture connections with nature while linking classroom learning and practical life skills. Place-based education at its best!
2025 saw Tekαkαpimək Contact Station come to life – inspiring and educating visitors of all ages! Photo credit: bottom right James Florio, others FKWW
An incredible first season of visitation at Tekαkαpimək Contact Station came to a bittersweet end on Monday, October 13 – Indigenous People’s Day. The federal shutdown had forced the closure of the contact station and the furloughing all but one law enforcement ranger at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument on October 1st. Friends’ board of directors voted to grant a special one-time donation to keep Tekαkαpimək open and staffed for two weekends in early October, one of the most popular times to visit. Although saddened by the shutdown, we are grateful. Your support made a quick response possible – providing safety, visitation support, and learning the to the hundreds of visitors to the Katahdin region during peak foliage season.
Above are some of our favorite scenes from the summer: Teacher Camp in June, Firefly the Hybrid perfoming on Woods & Waters Day, and a family immersed in the interactive exhibits. Although 2025 has brought some unexpected and frustrating twists including an abrupt end to the summer season, we remain excited for the future and will continue to keep our community up-to-date through this eNewsletter, social media, and friendsofkww.org/blog.
Gates will swing closed for the season next week. Photo credit: Taylor Walker
Behind the Signs
News from the National Park Service and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
Be advised that during the federal shutdown, parklands remain “as accessible as possible” with services limited or unavailable. Information from the Department of the Interior can be found at doi.gov/shutdown.
Hunting is allowed in KAWW east of the East Branch of the Penobscot only. Hunters must observe all Maine state hunting laws, and rules and maps specific to the monument may be found at nps.gov/KAWWhunting
Gates will close on or around Saturday, November 1. As they do each November, gates on the Swift Brook Road and Old River Road (north and south monument entrances) will close to vehicular traffic for the winter season. Foot travel is not restricted at any time.
Ripple Effect
News and notes from the Katahdin region, the Friends community, and beyond
Thank you to our Deasey level sponsor Trust for Public Land! TPL believes that access to nature is essential to our happiness, health, and well-being. They are partnering with communities across the country, creating thousands of parks and protecting millions of acres of public land where it’s needed most.
Events like Stars Over Katahdin are possible with the support of all our yearly sponsors at every level. If you do business with one of our sponsors, please tell them you appreciate their support!Sponsors provide crucial funding that supports Friends’ mission and work. To learn how your organization can be a sponsor in 2026, visit friendsofkww.org/sponsorship or contact sarah@friendsofkww.org.
—This blog post was adapted from an email sent on October 29, 2025. Sign up for our email list at friendsofkww.org/signup
Due to a lapse in federal appropriations, the federal government has shut down. The National Park Service has announced on their website: “National parks remain as accessible as possible during the federal government shutdown. However, some services may be limited or unavailable.” Additional information on National Park Service operations during the shutdown can be found here: www.doi.gov
Within Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, that means trails, roads, campsites, and picnic areas remain open. Vault toilets will be serviced at a minimum level.
Please note:
Tekαkαpimək Contact Station is closed for the season.
Loop Road will be closed for the season starting November 3rd, as part of its regular seasonal closure. Hikes like Barnard Mountain and Orin Falls will be inaccessible by car after that point.
OUR EFFORTS, With your support
At the start of the shutdown, Friends entered a time-limited agreement with NPS to fund Tekαkαpimək operations in order to help prevent disruption to travel plans and sustain the economic benefits visitors bring to Katahdin region communities. Visitor safety was also a major consideration: the opportunity to consult with a ranger and receive information before traveling in the monument is critical at this new unit with limited wayfinding. Equally important, Tekαkαpimək was born from deep partnerships with the Wabanaki Nations; out of respect for those partnerships, we wanted to ensure continued access to the stories within Tekαkαpimək, on Indigenous People’s Day especially.
With our donation period completed and Tekαkαpimək closed, we once again are calling for a swift resolution to the shutdown, and an FY26 budget that secures full funding and staffing for the National Park Service. We continue to advocate on this front and invite you to, as well.
our request of visitors
For visitors exploring Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument during the shutdown, we urge extra attention to safety while staff and services are limited. As a reminder, monument roads are unpaved, there is no cell service, and there is no potable water within monument boundaries. Download the National Park Service app and set your park to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument (offline setting) in advance of your trip.
Additionally, we ask visitors to minimize their impact while recreating, including packing in and packing out all trash, for the protection of this cherished natural resource we all want to see healthy and thriving.
We will continue to update this page as we learn how Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is impacted by this lapse in federal funding. Please note, NPS is unable to maintain its website or update communication channels during this time.
Thank you for your support and patience during this challenging time.
The best way to stay up to date is to sign up for our eNews
If you only have one day to soak up fall in the northern Katahdin region, you’ll want it to be filled with the season’s essentials: crisp foliage, beautiful scenery, and good food to keep you fueled along the way.
Earlier this September, I set out to design a day trip that balances flavor, foliage, and falls, while showcasing the best of the north end of the Katahdin region. You can’t see it all in one go, but this itinerary offers a sampling of what makes fall here special.
Morning: Farmstand Finds & Local Flavor
I pulled off the highway in Sherman around 9 a.m., grabbed gas at the Citgo, and queued up my favorite autumn playlist (thank you, Spotify’s Scarf Season). My first stop was an Amish farm stand on the way to Patten. The woman running it chatted with me about her day’s harvest and the dinner she was preparing for the men who I had seen working in the fields with their horses. I left with fresh cookies in hand—a perfect snack for the adventure ahead.
In Patten, I made a necessary stop at Morning Rush Cafe. On a crisp fall morning, there’s nothing better than one of Ben Rush’s chai lattes. I also picked up a breakfast burrito that, while hard to describe exactly, is some magical combination of egg, sausage, cheese, and sauce.
Mid-Morning: Scenic Drive into the Monument
From Patten, I wound my way down Shin Pond Road, a rolling, twisting stretch that shows off the best of autumn color. This year, the leaves are beginning to turn early. The birches and beeches are showing more muted tones thanks to summer’s drought, but the maples (the real stars of the show) are vibrant and healthy. I suspect peak foliage will arrive a bit earlier than usual, likely late September. Keep an eye on theMaine Fall Foliage Reports for weekly updates.
Around 10 a.m., I turned onto the dirt road into the North Section of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, where the narrow dirt road creates a tunnel that in a couple weeks will be filled with color- a fitting gateway into the monument. By 10:15, I was at the Haskell Gate with my bike unloaded, ready for the ride to Grand Pitch. Note: although I biked, this is also an excellent hike!
Adventure: Biking to Grand Pitch
The old logging road from Haskell Gate to Grand Pitch is closed to vehicles, but it’s perfect for beginner gravel biking or a day hike.
Haskell Hut & Rock: Fifteen minutes in, I paused to watch otters near the hut before biking down to see Haskell Rock—a massive conglomerate stone with deep geologic and logging history.
Pond Pitch: Another cascade and campsite along the river, where the portage trail reminds you of the human history of this landscape.
Grand Pitch: By noon, I reached Grand Pitch, one of the Monument’s most spectacular waterfalls. Even with lower flow from the dry summer, the falls were a powerful sight. You can hear the same thunder of the East Branch that has echoed for generations. Long before it was a National Monument, this river was a vital travel route for the Penobscot people. I enjoyed those farm stand cookies from earlier by the river before heading back.
At 1:15, I was back at the trailhead—tired, content, and ready for lunch.
Afternoon: Burgers, Waterfalls & Ice Cream
Lunch was at Matagamon Wilderness Campground, where the homemade bear-branded buns make their burgers extra special. While waiting, I browsed the gift shop, admired the taxidermy, and said hello to the campground’s very friendly yellow labs.
On the drive back, I stopped for a short hike to Shin Brook Falls. The signage is tricky, so download directions ahead of time, but the payoff is huge: a magnificent waterfall tucked into the woods. It’s a short, relatively flat walk, but if you want the best view, be ready for a steep scramble down (and back up). A word of caution- poison ivy grows near the base of the waterfall, so step carefully and stay on the trail.
No perfect fall day ends without ice cream, so I wrapped things up at Shin Pond Village. Their scoops always hit the spot and I love a fall day that starts chilly and ends warm. Shin Pond Village is also an excellent lunch spot!
Late Afternoon: Back Home
By 3:45, I was back on the highway after a seven-hour loop through some of Maine’s most beautiful landscapes. The combination of local food, autumn colors, and Monument solitude made for a perfect fall day trip.
Of course, this itinerary only scratches the surface—there are countless other trails, lakes, and local spots to explore in the Katahdin region (get some ideas here). But if you’ve got just one day, this mix of flavor and foliage is hard to beat.
Safety Notes for Fall Adventures
Exploring Katahdin Woods and Waters and the surrounding region in the fall comes with a few important reminders:
Wear blaze orange during hunting season for your safety.
Download maps ahead of time or carry a DeLorme Gazetteer—cell service is spotty at best and non-existent most of the time.
Watch for moose, especially during the rut, when they’re more active and unpredictable.
Be cautious around logging trucks on local roads.
Check nps.gov/kaww for the latest monument updates.
Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters
Contact: Brian Hinrichs, Executive Director, brian@friendsofkww.org
For Immediate Release: Wednesday September 10, 2025
Stars Over Katahdin Returns on Saturday, September 27th
Patten, ME – Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters invites the public to Stars Over Katahdin on Saturday, September 27th to celebrate some of the darkest skies east of the Mississippi. The event at Taylor’s Katahdin View Campground in Stacyville will feature a variety of programming for all ages starting at 4 p.m. featuring National Park Service rangers, Penobscot Nation historian James Eric Francis Sr., and the Burnurwurbskek Singers, followed by stargazing with expert astronomers.
Thanks to generous supporters of Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters, including lead sponsors Richardson’s Hardware and Maine Beer Company, registration is free and can be found at friendsofkww.org/stars. The website also includes the full program, which will continue to be updated.
Stars Over Katahdin began as a community event 12 years ago to raise awareness about protecting the dark skies above the Katahdin region. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument was created in 2016, and the monument was designated an International Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2020. At the time, the Sanctuary designation was the second of its kind in the National Park Service and made Katahdin Woods and Waters the first International Dark Sky Place certified in the state of Maine and New England.
Vona’s Food Wagon (cash only) will be on site for the event, and visitors may also carry in picnic dinners and camp chairs. This is a dog-free event.
Taylor’s Katahdin View Campground is located at 38 Swift Brook Road, Stacyville, Maine, approximately 6 miles from exit 264 on I-95.
Registration and details can be found atfriendsofkww.org/stars and additional high-resolution photography is available upon request.
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The mission of Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters is to preserve, protect, and enhance Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and inspire a community dedicated to the Monument’s future. Friends is an official philanthropic partner to the National Park Service.
Are you feeling it? The air’s shift from stiflingly hot to fresh and breezy, a wink of bright orange amid the green canvas of a hillside, or the ease of sitting outside at dusk – without the shrill approach of a mosquito’s whine.
Fall is not here yet, but it will be soon. Make plans now to soak up the quieter days of late summer with a day trip to Orin Falls for a dip in the warmest water the Wassataquoik can offer or a pre-dawn drive to the Lynx Pond viewing platform to witness a wetland waking up (that might include a moose, if you’re lucky). Or think ahead to fall days for a weekend away that includes a peaceful paddle from the Lunksoos boat launch and taking in the foliage from the balcony of Tekαkαpimək Contact Station.
To make the most of your excursion and stay safe in your travels, begin with these three steps:
2. Install the NPS App on your smartphone and tap the cloud-shaped icon at the top of the screen to download all the park maps and information for offline use (trust us when we say cell service is unreliable),
Of course, if you still have questions, send me a message and the Friends staff will do our best to provide an answer or connect you to someone who can. We are mission-bound to inspire you to explore, learn, and deepen your relationship to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, so we can’t wait to hear from you!
Celebrating Nine Years! Woods & Waters Day Highlights
Before we start thinking about sweaters and pumpkins and leaves turning, let’s recap a wonderful weekend of celebrating the ninth anniversary of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument – Woods & Waters Day! An exceptional weekend of clear blue skies welcomed hundreds of visitors to the Katahdin region and monument. A testament to years of support from YOU, Park Superintendent Neal LaBrie reported 207 individuals- a one-day record for the monument – visited Tekαkαpimək Contact Station on Saturday alone, with 428 over the weekend! From taking in a cultural experience to finding a new favorite hiking trail to a party complete with mouth-watering barbeque and toe-tapping tunes, visitors found plenty to delight in and celebrate. It was extra special to take a moment and recognize the dedication and volutneerism of our former Vice President, Steve Richardson, and say thank you for all he has done for Friends. Be sure to follow Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters on social media to see our gallery of Woods & Waters Day photos on Facebook and Instagram, coming soon!
Every year we are overwhelmed by the support of our corporate and nonprofit sponsors that make this event possible. Thank you to our Katahdin Sponsors Maine Beer Company and Richardson’s Hardware; Lookout Sponsors Burt’s Bees, Down East Magazine, Elliotsville Foundation, L.L.Bean, National Parks Conservation Association, Versant Power, and Wright-Ryan Construction; Deasey Sponsors Bangor Savings Bank, Haley Ward, NorthLight Foundation, and New England Outdoor Center; and many more!
Next year marks the tenth birthday for Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and we are already excited to start planning for the momentous occasion. Stay tuned!
Jason Firefly Brown and Donna Decontie Brown performing at the Eastern Lookout Gathering Circle, visitors taking in the exhibits inside. Credit: FKWWFormer Friends Vice President Steve Richardson, scenes from the evening. Credit: Hannah DeTour
Preserving and Protecting Our Night Skies
Warming by the campfire at Stars Over Katahdin in 2023. Photo credit: Taylor Walker
Have you registered yet? Stars Over Katahdin is Friends’ annual celebration of the International Dark Sky Association’s recognition of Katahdin Woods and Waters as a Dark Sky Sanctuary, boasting the darkest skies east of the Mississippi River! Each year, Stars Over Katahdin draws families, school groups, members, and visitors from afar for campfire chats, educational experiences, and inspiration before turning our eyes upward to explore the cosmos through state-of-the-art telescopes.
This year, the event returns to Taylor’s Katahdin View Campground on the Swift Brook Road in Stacyville, right on the way into the monument’s southern entrance. Make a day of exploring the woods and waters via the Scenic Loop Road with a stop at Tekαkαpimək Contact Station to check out the maps, chat with a ranger, and take in the artistry of the the building, exhibits, and landscape. Return to Taylor’s in the later afternoon for an evening of wonder featuring a presentation by James Eric Francis, Sr., Penobscot; a family-friendly naturalist activity with a National Park Service Ranger (and an opportunity to earn a Junior Ranger badge!); a model rocket launching; and so much more! See the full schedule and register for this free event here.
Behind the Signs
Adventure awaits! Photo credit: Taylor Walker
News from the National Park Service and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
The Katahdin Overlook at Loop Road mile 6.4 remains closed for construction. Visitors are not permitted due to construction hazards, however, a short detour preserves passages and access to all other highlights on the loop road.
The monument is currently under a high fire danger warning issued by the Maine Forest Service. Please exercise caution and obtain permits where required. Campfires are permitted only in designated locations such as established campsites and lean-tos.
The process to create the General Management Plan, or GMP, for Katahdin Woods and Waters is underway. A GMP is a strategic planning document that outlines the future management of a National Park Service site for the next 15-20 years! Stakeholders involved in the GMP include Wabanaki Tribal members, local municipal leaders, commercial forest management companies, and many more – including Friends.
Did you know?The monument shares a birthday! Katahdin Woods and Waters was designated on August 24th, 2016, just one day before the National Park Service’s 100th birthday! In fact, the more than 89,000 acres comprising the monument remain the largest gift of land in park service history.
Ripple Effect
News and notes from the Katahdin region, the Friends community, and beyond
We’re excited to share that Friends has received a grant from the National Park Foundation as part of our ongoing participation in the Collective Campaign for National Parks.The campaign represents a nationwide movement to elevate philanthropic support of our nationalal parks, ensuring these iconic places thrive for generations to come.
Congratulations to Wright-Ryan Construction, winner of the ENR New England 2025 Best Project Winner in the Government/Public Building category. More accolades for this unique project’s construction team can be found on their blog.
We’re listening to: podcast “Wild Neighbors with Molly Ross,” from Friends of Baxter State Park. Listen in for a lively and interesting conversation with our board president as she recounts the process of establishing the national monument and why the East Branch of the Penobscot is important to all of us. (Also check out the following episode with Friends’ board member Matt Polstein of the New England Outdoor Center!)
Just around the corner, don’t miss out on the Trail’s End Festival in Millinocket – September 12-14th. With a stellar lineup culminating with a performance by the Mallett Brothers, it’s a weekend of live music, food, fun, and more!
Trails, friendly compettion, and a fun afterparty with great beer and pizza…find it at the 1st annual Fall Trail Rally on Hammond Ridge in October.
Tekαkαpimək Contact Station cantilever detail. Photo credit: James Florio
Sponsor Spotlight
Thank you to our newest Lookout level sponsor Wright-Ryan Construction! For more than forty years, the team at Wright-Ryan has been building Maine’s great spaces – among them the award-winning Tekαkαpimək Contact Station. Sponsors provide crucial funding that supports Friends’ mission and work. To learn more about becoming a sponsor, visit friendsofkww.org/sponsorship or contact sarah@friendsofkww.org.
—This blog post was adapted from an email sent on August 29, 2025. Sign up for our email list at friendsofkww.org/signup
What’s New
Posted: March 17, 2026 by Sarah Andre
Snow, Sun, and Fun – March eNewsletter
February Vacation Camp celebrates its 5th year, Patten Winterfest, General Management Plan update, and more…
This newsletter is coming to you in the third week of March, a time of year defined by the tension of transitions. Patches of snow dot the landscape still. The driveway is softening each afternoon, half of it following us into the house in our boot treads, and the roads are bubbling up with frost heaves imperil all but the highest-clearance vehicles.
But beyond the slush and dirty snowbanks, the forest is a lovely place to explore in March. Every day the sun shines more directly, lasting longer into the afternoon. We can stop, take our gloves off, and enjoy a pocket-stashed sandwich with the cheerful song of the chickadees (listen for “Cheeseburger!” or “Hey Sweetie!”) that by March fills the air, belying the sparse visual evidence of the little songbirds.
And if the exertion of snowshoeing or skiing through the heavy, soft snow has you steaming in your parka, it might not be a bad idea to take a cue from these happy campers at the Katahdin Learning Project’s February Vacation Camp last month, and flop down into it for a few minutes of rest and a fresh perspective. Open your eyes to the brilliant blue optimism of a March sky! [Note: the rain and warmth since this email was composed have brought an end the ski/snowshoe season. But once the clouds part, we will really enjoy those blue skies.]
Read on for the latest news from Friends and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument!
Five Years of Fun and Learning at Vacation Camp
In late 2021, as families and communities began to relax the social distancing of the Covid-19 pandemic, children were having a rough time. Erratic school closures, missing friends, teachers, and coaches, and witnessing the stress of adults in their lives had left a lot of kids more comfortable with a screen in their hands than being together with peers.
The Katahdin Learning Project (Friends’ place-based education program) team wanted to help kids feel connected again. Educators imagined a program that went beyond their popular in-school nature lessons – something immersive, rooted in place and community, and built to foster a sense of belonging. And the idea for Vacation Camp was born!
2026’s February Vacation Camp was KLP’s 5th year running of our week of school-break winter wonder (and April will mark the 4th year of mud-season magic). Camp is a safe, educational, and super fun four days of fresh air, friends, fur pelts with a National Park Service Ranger…and so much more.
Vacation camp serves Millinocket-area kids in K-5th grade, but as our oldest campers aged out, KLP designed volunteer Ambassador and Leader positions for middle and high school students – complete with real-world application, training, and evaluation processes. And the youth aren’t the only beneficiaries! Friends of KWW could not do Vacation Camp alone – and we’ve only grown stronger as an organization by the partnerships nurtured along the way. Thank you to: Outdoor Sport Institute/Katahdin Gear Library, Millinocket Schools, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, Baxter State Park, Friends of Baxter State Park, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, Northern Forest Center, Katahdin Collaborative, and many individuals!
Impactful programs like Vacation Camp thrive when the community is invested in its success, and we are so grateful for the philanthropic community that believes in our mission to build a new generation of leaders, learners, and advocates who are deeply rooted in the Katahdin region and committed to its care. Special thanks to those who have helped underwrite Vacation Camp, including the Onion Foundation, Peter Alfond Foundation, Northern Penobscot Activities Council, and of course, members like YOU.
Inside Camp’s home base of the Millinocket Memorial Library, a snow science lesson with KAWW’s Ranger Crystal introducing scientific methodologies and learning about the animals who live in our region with special guest Baxter State Park Ranger Cassandra. Photo credit: FKWW
Celebrating Snow at Patten Winterfest
The very last day of February was a great day to be in Patten at the Lumberman’s Museum for the 2nd annual Winterfest! Conceived and created by folks at the National Park Service at Katahdin Woods and Waters and Maine Forest Service, the free, family-focused event showcased 19 local and state organizations with nearly 40 volunteers and educators sharing winter knowledge and skills with 138 children, caregivers, and community members!
Wild winds didn’t dampen the fun, although attendees were grateful for the stations inside the Lumberman’s Museum – alternating activities like trying out cross-country skiing or snowshoeing with the Katahdin Gear Library with checking out antique logging equipment or racing through the animal obstacle course before warming up at Friends’ information station inside – many thanks to our corporate sponsor Katahdin Trust for keeping the cocoa cups full! Friends’ staff Kala, Michelle, and Brian all pitched in and enjoyed catching up with parents, community members, and supporters in a fun setting.
In the Katahdin region, embracing winter is a way of life, and Friends is honored to play a role in bringing the community together to celebrate winter recreation (some folks even arrived by snowmobile!) and learn how nature adapts to cold and snow.
A Lumberman’s museum blacksmithing demonstration and an original KLP obstacle course that teaches animal adaptations. Photo credits: FKWW
Just Around the Corner – Membership May
While most of Maine dries out from the melting blanket of snow, the calendar marches on and spring will be here before we know it. Friends’ staff are looking forward to kicking off the monument’s 10th anniversary season with our popular Membership May series – at four different brewpubs around the state!
Whether you’ve been paddling the East Branch since before the log drives ended, or you’re still looking forward to your first visit to Katahdin Woods and Waters, plan to make a stop at one (or more) of our Membership May events to pick up a monument map and Friends’ annual impact report, chat with staff, volunteers, and members, learn about progress on the monument’s General Management Plan, and much more. Oh, and the pizza is on us!
Mark your calendar and register for one or more of these free events today.
The monument’s dirt roads won’t open for visitor traffic until the mud is fully dry, usually around Memorial Day, so May will be a good time to oil up your hiking boots, pull the leaves out of the canoe, and join fellow Friends at the nearest Membership May event to you. See you there!
At every stop along the way, we get to see Friends from different corners of Maine! Left to right, Fogtown Brewing Co in Ellsworth and Katahdin Brew Works in Patten. Photo credits: FKWW
Behind the Signs – News From Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
Katahdin Woods and Water National Monument has launched the development of their General Management Plan, the formal process that builds off previous work around public listening sessions and the draft management framework. This plan provides long term direction around resource protection, visitor experience, access, and facilities. The first opportunity for public engagement is being planned for the last week of April and first week of May. Both virtual and in-person options will be available to comment on draft concepts of the monument’s zoning and desired conditions. KAWW Superintendent Neal Labrie said,
“Stay tuned in to NPS social media and web announcements for specific dates, times, and locations for civic engagement sessions. We also plan to hold some less formal drop-in opportunities that will provide information and opportunities for local conversation.”
Sponsor Spotlight
Membership May is when we kick off our 2026 year-long sponsorship recognition. If you are connected to a business or nonprofit that cares deeply about our national parks system, the Katahdin region, or sharing the rich history and ecology of the national monument with meaningful experiences, join companies like Wright-Ryan, 2025 Lookout Level sponsor. For more than 40 years, they’ve shaped northern New England through lasting relationships and even longer-lasting buildings. Thank you!
Your business or organization can be a part of the movement to preserve and protect Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument for the benefit of local communities and visitors from around the world. We are happy to customize a sponsorship package that works best for your brand. Visit our sponsorship page, call (207) 808-0020 or email sarah@friendsofkww.org today to learn more.
This blog post was adapted from an email sent on March 17th, 2026. Sign up for our email list at friendsofkww.org/signup
Posted: March 13, 2026 by Elise Goplerud
March Haskell Hut 3 Day Trip Report
This trip was the fourth of the year and perhaps the last for the season. The first trip was to check on the wood supply where I had the chance to help the ranger fill the wood shed with some well-seasoned wood for the winter users. The second trip was a three day adventure in extremely cold windy weather in January. The third trip was a day trip again just to explore some beaver ponds near the hut. This latest trip was a three-day trip in what would become the warmest winter trip we have ever taken. It was the annual winter birthday trip for Elaine. Not being sure what the trail would be like we had skis, snowshoes and micro spikes. When we arrived we realized there would not be a need for either the snowshoes or micro-spikes so they stayed in the truck.
We loaded the sleds up with all that we would need for the three day adventure and headed down the trail. The snow was in great shape and the warm weather had flattened the trail making hauling the sleds easier. The blue bird sky overhead made for exceptional skiing. As we approached “Mother Nature’s Garden,” we met the folks who had stayed in the hut the night before just finishing up their trip. We finally decided to take a break at Haskell Gate where we had a snack.
The next stop was the ponds just beyond the gate, where we poked around checking out the otter signs. Back on the trail again, we once again parked the sleds on the side of the trail just before Stair Fall turn off to check out a kettlehole bog with an amazing view of Traveler Mountain. With the clear blue sky, it did not disappoint even if it did not have much snow remaining. Back through the forest to our sleds and onto the hut.
Up early with a late start caused by the potatoes, eggs and cheese breakfast. We hit the trail at 9:30, headed for Big Spring Hut and beyond. Shortly after we left, we met the rangers coming in to check on things; Ranger Roger gave us the bad news about the weather, which was forecast to be almost 50 and perhaps 60 the next day. On the way to the hut, we had two amazing wildlife sightings. Soon after the ranger passed us, there were fresh lynx tracks over the snowsled track. We followed them to the top of the hill where we stopped to visited an area of rock formation off the trail. Heading down the hill toward Messer Pond, a little brown bat came out of the woods, circled me once then flew down the trail and circled Elaine. We were both able to watch it fly down the trail before it flew into the forest. Seeing a bat while skiing was a first for me.
The next stop was a side ski into Messer Pond where someone had nicely cut all the trees that had fallen across the pond. The plan was to ski around the pond but it was covered with several inches of water, so we continued onto Big Spring Hut. The bare spots that had been in the trail in January were now covered with snow. The last little bit into the hut was in the shade and downhill making the trip a bit faster and much more out of control than I would have liked. The hut was clean and cold inside so we ate lunch on the porch in the sun. After lunch, we decided to head for the lookout but only made it as far as the brook because the snow was much too soft and the going difficult. So we turned around headed back to Haskell before it got too hot.
Posted: February 9, 2026 by Sarah Andre
Happy New Year, Friends! January/February eNewsletter
Welcoming new staff and board, the winter trail report, learning winter safety, and a fresh look for the eNewsletter!
Winter at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is a study in contrasts: its still, stark beauty invites well-bundled adventurers to experience a stunning landscape, but extreme cold, deep snowpack, and the remote backcountry pose risks. Recreating safely requires specific knowledge, gear, and a clear head when things don’t go the way we planned.
For those who are prepared and embrace the challenge of winter camping, perhaps spotting moose or lynx tracks on an overnight cross-country ski trek to Haskell or Big Spring Brook Hut will be the highlight of winter! Or you may prefer to “nest” inside with your maps and guides, like the black bears, porcupines, and other critters hidden below the snow, dreaming of warm summer nights. Either way, Friends gets you! There is a way for everyone to preseve, protect, and enjoy public lands.
And while we love every season, we are already looking forward to August, which marks the 10th anniversary of the designation of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument! Save the date now for Woods & Waters Day on Saturday, August 15, and stay tuned to this newsletter and our social media for all the fun details as we move into spring. We’re delighted to share that the staff, board, and membership (that’s you!) of Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters has grown – and excited to celebrate and reflect on the past ten years together. Below, meet the new faces who are working to channel your passion and resolve to protect KAWW for future generations. Also in this newsletter: the monument grooming report, local students learn how to stay safe in the cold, legislation to protect Maine’s dark skies, and more.
New Board and Staff Bring Knowledge, Experience, and Passion
At the December meeting, Friends’ directors elected three new members to the board, expanding the depth of expertise and relationships to the National Park Service, the Katahdin region, and
the land. Meet Carla Chung Mattix, a 25-year veteran lawyer with the NPS; John Pond, Patten native and Executive Vice President/Environmental Programs at engineering firm Haley Ward; and Linda Qualey of Benedicta, who spent her career in nonprofit fundraising and management roles. A full listing of board members and their biographies can be found at friendsofkww.org/board.
And just this month, our education team, the Katahdin Learning Project, hired a second educator to join the team year-round! Raised in the Katahdin region, Michelle returned home almost a decade ago and comes to Friends from Houlton High School where she was the school librarian and founded the outdoor club! A Registered Maine Guide with experience throughout the region including in Baxter State Park, Michelle, in her words, is excited “to help others become relentlessly curious about their interdependence on their environment, their communities, the world, and their future selves.”
Always, the heart of Friends is you – the members who make it all possible. Are you one of the “new faces” at Friends as well? Dozens of individuals, families, and small family foundations joined Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters in 2025 for the first time. Welcome!
Frosty Fun with Winter Safety Lessons
This and all programs of Friends’ place-based education team Katahdin Learning Project was provided at no cost to the school. Working with local teachers year after to year to craft meaningful, memorable lessons – aligned with Maine Learning Results standards and the classroom curriculum – is among the most impactful work that your support makes possible.
Landmark Law Protecting Dark Skies
If you have gazed up at the stars or been lucky enough to witness the Aurora Borealis here in the Katahdin region, you’ve enjoyed an increasingly imperiled natural resource – dark skies.
Advocating for the protection of the dark has been a key part of Friends’ work since 2017, with a tireless push for Dark Sky Sanctuary designation succeeding in 2020.
In the spring of 2025, joining representatives from The Nature Conservancy, Dark Sky Maine, and Maine Audubon, Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters submitted testimony in support of “An Act to Promote Responsible Outdoor Lighting.” Just this month, that bill became law – granting Maine one of the most comprehensive and specific outdoor lighting laws in the country. We are honored to promote dark sky protection for everyone – having witnessed the excitement and awe that simply looking up in the absence of light pollution can elicit. As Executive Director Brian Hinrichs stated:
“…the benefits can multiply out for all. As a Dark Sky Sanctuary, we have seen astro-tourism growing in the Katahdin region: at last year’s Stars Over Katahdin event, a family journeyed from Boston to experience the dark skies.”
Beyond our human enjoyment of seeing the stars at night, the benefit to wildlife and ecosystems could be profound. As we learn more about the importance of the dark to animal migrations, mating, hunting, and more, conserving and even restoring dark skies are important and achievable goals. View the full legislation of LD 1934 here – and learn more about why dark skies matter with these resources from the National Park Service.
Behind the Signs – News from the NPS at Katahdin Woods and Waters
Winter is definitely the quiet season for Katahdin Woods and Waters – unless you happen to be one of the visitors passing through on the ITS snowmobile trail network – but that doesn’t mean the year-round park staff aren’t busy! KAWW Superintendent Neal LaBrie and his team are grooming cross-country ski trails, monitoring wildlife via game cameras, recruiting and hiring seasonal staff for summer 2026, and planning events.
The KAWW facilities team recently installed a larger wood stove at Big Spring Brook Hut, one of the two backcountry cabins available for winter camping. This long-awaited upgrade will provide the increased heat needed to keep the cabin warm for those putting in the extra miles and effort to spend the night. The installation was well-timed for current conditions, with average overnight lows around zero degrees fahrenheit in the last two weeks. Brr!
The 2nd Annual Patten Winterfest on Saturday, February 28th from 1-5 pm at the Patten Lumbermans Museum! Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, the Maine Forest Service, Friends, and many others will be teaming up to to create interactive stations for youth and their families to learn all about winter ecology, recreation, safety, and more. Visit the NPS Event Calendar for the full listing. Hope to see you there!
PLUS…
This blog post was adapted from an email sent on February 9, 2026. Sign up for our email list at friendsofkww.org/signup
Posted: January 14, 2026 by Sarah Andre
What a Year! December eNewsletter
Through a challenging year, one thing was constant – your love for this place.
At the end of each year, nonprofit staff are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from our members, donors, supporting partners, and community folks who take some time from their OWN busy holiday preparations to sit down and write a check, click to make an online donation, or share our posts on social media. Supporting Friends, or any nonprofit, is an act of love without guarantees, based in trust. Thank you all for your support!
After a year with many ups and downs, especially challenging our national park staff, we at Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters are so grateful to have been able to invest in the things that you believe in – improving access, safety, and educational opportunities in the national monument and helping people of all ages learn about and visit this special place. As Friends’ staff takes a little break over the next few days, we’re sharing some of our favorite moments from 2025. Stay tuned for all the news, inside tips, and updates from the park service in the eNews next year!As always, reply to ask me a question or share a story from your visit to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Maybe we’ll feature YOU in a future newsletter!
Stars Over Katahdin – A Night of Wonder and Learning
In late September – right before the federal government shutdown – Friends, NPS staff, and hundreds of passionate and curious people of all ages from the Katahdin region and beyond gathered for our annual celebration of the darkest skies east of the Mississippi. Stars Over Katahdin 2025 was our largest ever, with an estimated 400-plus attendees enjoying activities for kids, a lecture on “Penobscot Sense of Place,” music from the Burnurwurbsek Singers (Penobscot drumming group), and observing celestial bodies guided by expert astronomers. Stars Over Katahdin invites us to understand the “land” in a whole new way. Save the date: Saturday, October 3, 2026. Hope to see you next year under clear skies!
Learning to Love the Outdoors
2025 may be over, but at the Katahdin Learning Project, Friends’ outdoor education program, it’s halfway through the school year – and so far the exploration, discovery, and fun has included:
Since the beginning of the school year, KLP has led 43 programs and worked with 700 students. We’re grateful for our students, educators, and partners – as well as our supporters who make this work possible – and excited for what the rest of the year will bring! Learn more about the programs here.
Tekαkαpimək Contact Station Gains Recognition in First Season
At a December 11th awards ceremony in Boston, Tekαkαpimək Contact Station was named New England Project of the Year by the Engineering News Record. This prestigious award recognizes the innovative construction, design, and sustainability features of Tekαkαpimək. Earlier this fall, Tekαkαpimək was awarded the Juror’s Choice Award by the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) at the Interpretive Media Awards, the NAI’s highest honor.
These awards add to a growing list of recognition for Tekαkαpimək, which now serves as a gateway to the monument for thousands of visitors, orienting them to the land through a Wabanaki worldview. It is powerful to see all facets of this uniquely collaborative project recognized, and we are grateful to the many partners and donors who supported this vision. Learn more about Tekαkαpimək Contact Station (currently closed for the winter) and plan your visit in 2026!
Progress on Priority Park Projects
2025 was a major year for Friends-funded Priority Park Projects. The Loop Road Katahdin Overlook redesign neared completion and will be ready for visitors in 2026. A new rest stop and short trail on the Hunt Farm Parcel along Swift Brook Road was completed. Road maintenance and stream crossing improvements continued, and key steps were taken in finalizing plans for new signage and wayfinding throughout the monument. We look forward to our continued partnership with NPS as these and other critical investments come to fruition!
Behind the Signs – Start Your Trip at NPS.gov/KAWW
From the beginning, Friends has provided guidance, advice, and trip reports to help visitors navigate a new unit of our national parks system. As Katahdin Woods and Waters is about to enter its 10th year, we are happy to report that the official NPS website has expanded to include far more information than we could hope to share. In fact, Friends’ staff regularly check the KAWW site for inspiration and updates on our day-off adventures! Spend an afternoon browsing to ensure you don’t miss anything, but here are some of our favorite features:
Sponsor Spotlight
We’ll keep highlighting our wonderful sponsors individually in this space in 2026 because they each deserve a unique shoutout. But together, our sponsors are something truly special! More than 20 local businesses, nonprofits, and corporations pitched in to support our annual Woods & Waters Day, with many trekking north to attend the party at Shin Pond Village. Sponsorship is a key piece of Friends’ funding pie, and we are excited to grow the program and expand opportunities for engagement with the business community.
Sponsors provide crucial funding that supports Friends’ mission and work. To learn more about becoming a sponsor in 2026, visit friendsofkww.org/sponsorship or contact sarah@friendsofkww.org.
This blog post was adapted from an email sent on December 31, 2025. Sign up for our email list at friendsofkww.org/signup
Posted: November 19, 2025 by Elise Goplerud
Environmental Educator Job Announcement
Job Description
POSITION SUMMARY
The Environmental Educator supports the Katahdin Learning Project (KLP), an initiative of Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters (FKWW) that connects youth to their local landscapes, communities, and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Working with staff, partners, and volunteers, the Educator helps inspire curiosity, environmental stewardship, and a sense of place among students in the Katahdin region.
For general management and support, the Educator works under the supervision of the Education Coordinator. This part-time position will ideally start on January 19th. The position will average 20 hours per week. Weeks with overnight trips or special programs may include additional hours, balanced by lighter weeks that bring the average to 20 hours. A small portion of the work may be completed remotely.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
School Year
Summer
Community Events (throughout year)
Other duties
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
Preferred:
WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The Educator should expect to be exposed to: heat/cold, outdoor and office environments, inclement weather, and biting insects.
This work requires computer access. Candidates are required to have access to a public or personal computer to communicate through email, use shared organizational documents, and submit time cards and expense reports.
Physical demands include: carrying a backpack up to 30 lbs, sitting, standing, camping, walking, hiking, kneeling, handling/repetitive motion, driving, use of keyboard or other digital dexterity, peripheral vision, use of written or verbal sources of information like reading reports, use of oral communication to perform work.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
LOCATION & TRAVEL
The Educator is based out of the Friends of KWW office in Patten, Maine. Travel to other locations within the Katahdin Region is a frequent requirement of this job. The employee must maintain a reliable car and valid driver’s license. Travel on rough dirt roads will be required occasionally.
TO APPLY
Please provide a cover letter stating your interest in the position and your resume to info@friendsofkww.org. References may be requested further in the hiring process.
PLEASE NOTE
This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position’s activities and requirements, Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary.
External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed on this job description) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case by case basis.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters employs without discrimination as to age, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics under federal, state, and local law. Our work environment reflects and recognizes the individual dignity of each employee and provides equal opportunity in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, promotion, and all other conditions and privileges of employment.
Download job announcement here.
Posted: November 5, 2025 by Sarah Andre
Fall into the outdoors – October eNews
Federal shutdown impacts, Stars Over Katahdin wrap-up, fall education program highlights, gate closures, and more…
It is a difficult moment for our national parks, the dedicated workforce of the National Park Service who are nearly all currently furloughed, and for our gateway communities. Please know that Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters, like philanthropic park partners across the country, is working in creative and responsive ways to support this special place and all who care for it. Your care and concern for the national monument is powerful, and your donations, advocacy, and support of regional businesses makes a difference!
Below is a frank update from Friends’ Executive Director Brian Hinrichs. Please reach out if you have additional questions or thoughts to share. Finally – enjoy this stunning image of Katahdin rising beyond the vibrant foliage of the national monument – a reminder to pause and appreciate the beauty that surrounds here in the Katahdin region, and throughout our country – from vast landscapes to tiny parks. Thanks for caring for them.
A Message from Friends’ Executive Director Brian Hinrichs
Friends,
What does this all mean?
We have our immediate concerns and questions about the shutdown. How are furloughed NPS staff doing, now that they’ve missed multiple paychecks, and with no end in sight? Has any damage occurred to the natural and cultural resources within the monument, as it remains open but with just one person monitoring nearly 90,000 acres? Will those potential visitors who cancelled plans or drove in to find locked doors return in the future? And what about the park projects that are now stalled, is there any hope they get done before the snow flies?
Our biggest concern, though, is that this moment fits a trend that has been accelerating over the last 10 months: long-term damage to the National Park Service workforce. NPS year-round staffing is already down 24% after firings, retirements, and buyouts, and seasonal positions were only filled with a 60% success rate this year. What will that hiring look like next year and beyond? Who will sign up for the constant threats of a “reduction in force”, missed paychecks, and job descriptions that expand with each passing day? The morale of current park staff has been severely damaged all year, and it is hard not to see the very mission of NPS as being under attack.
So it begs the question, what can we do now? Shutdown or no shutdown, we need to prevent further cuts and restore funding and staffing to the National Park Service. That is a message you can bring to your elected federal officials. At Friends, this is what we are advocating for, while we assess this rapidly changing landscape for park partners like us. In the meantime, we will continue to serve our community by inspiring the future stewards of this special place and bringing people together to appreciate the beauty, history, and future of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.
In gratitude,
Stars Over Katahdin – A Night of Wonder and Learning
Can you believe it? More than a month has passed since we gathered for the 12th annual Stars Over Katahdin! The moon is again waxing, and our hearts remain full with gratitude for everyone who made this night so special. If you were among the estimated 400 people who showed up to experience the magic, are one of our amazing corporate or nonprofit sponsors underwriting the event, or provided the cultural and scientific activities that delighted and educated the crowds – thank you!
If you are inspired to learn more or take action to protect this spectacular resource, check out the links below to get started – and if you have further questions about stargazing or have a special moment to share from that night, let me know by replying to this email.
⭐Dark Sky Maine – Promotes an appreciation of the night sky through education and by supporting measures that use appropriate lighting to provide security on the ground, promote the health of humans and nocturnal wildlife, while maintaining dark skies overhead.
⭐International Dark Sky Association – Restores the nighttime environment and protects communities from the harmful effects of light pollution through outreach, advocacy, and conservation.
⭐National Park Service Virtual Resources:
⭐Plus, be sure to check out our Stars Over Katahdin photo album on Facebook – beautifully shot by JM Naturescapes. We’re already excited to start planning next year’s event!
Back to School with Katahdin Learning Project
By October, Friends’ place-based education program, Katahdin Learning Project, is back in full swing with regular school programming, visiting classrooms from Patten to Millinocket. Fall is the busiest time of year for KLP, with the schedule of programs through January filling almost as soon as registration opened! We know our students and teachers value these programs, and education staff are just as excited to reconnect with familiar students and meet new faces in the fresh outdoor air. Alongside school visits, in September, 18 local middle and high school kids had a blast at the annual Stars Over Katahdin youth camping trip, where students make memories and friends at a just-for-them dark skies experience.
Fall programming is Education Coordinator Elise Goplerud’s favorite time for KLP. “The crisp weather, chance to reconnect with students after the summer, and endless opportunities for learning make it a special time of year.” Recently, Elise spent the day teaching teens in Millinocket all about fire. Students in the high school’s Outdoor Ed II class practiced building fires safely from materials found on the land – no easy feat on a rainy and windy day, but they succeeded before the bell rang! The class took away the value of learning tree species, Leave No Trace principles, and weather awareness from the experience. Later, an English class recalled the fire as inspiration for a writing exercise, and a final group learned to cook over both flames and coals.
Built with intention, outdoor lessons like these nurture connections with nature while linking classroom learning and practical life skills. Place-based education at its best!
Click here to learn more about outdoor education programs and view the KLP catalog.
Tekαkαpimək Inaugural Season Closes
An incredible first season of visitation at Tekαkαpimək Contact Station came to a bittersweet end on Monday, October 13 – Indigenous People’s Day. The federal shutdown had forced the closure of the contact station and the furloughing all but one law enforcement ranger at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument on October 1st. Friends’ board of directors voted to grant a special one-time donation to keep Tekαkαpimək open and staffed for two weekends in early October, one of the most popular times to visit. Although saddened by the shutdown, we are grateful. Your support made a quick response possible – providing safety, visitation support, and learning the to the hundreds of visitors to the Katahdin region during peak foliage season.
Above are some of our favorite scenes from the summer: Teacher Camp in June, Firefly the Hybrid perfoming on Woods & Waters Day, and a family immersed in the interactive exhibits. Although 2025 has brought some unexpected and frustrating twists including an abrupt end to the summer season, we remain excited for the future and will continue to keep our community up-to-date through this eNewsletter, social media, and friendsofkww.org/blog.
Behind the Signs
News from the National Park Service and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
Ripple Effect
News and notes from the Katahdin region, the Friends community, and beyond
Sponsor Spotlight
Thank you to our Deasey level sponsor Trust for Public Land! TPL believes that access to nature is essential to our happiness, health, and well-being. They are partnering with communities across the country, creating thousands of parks and protecting millions of acres of public land where it’s needed most.
Events like Stars Over Katahdin are possible with the support of all our yearly sponsors at every level. If you do business with one of our sponsors, please tell them you appreciate their support!.png)
Sponsors provide crucial funding that supports Friends’ mission and work. To learn how your organization can be a sponsor in 2026, visit friendsofkww.org/sponsorship or contact sarah@friendsofkww.org.
—This blog post was adapted from an email sent on October 29, 2025. Sign up for our email list at friendsofkww.org/signup
Posted: October 2, 2025 by Brian Hinrichs
Government Shutdown Impacts
This page has been updated as of 10/29/2025.
Due to a lapse in federal appropriations, the federal government has shut down. The National Park Service has announced on their website: “National parks remain as accessible as possible during the federal government shutdown. However, some services may be limited or unavailable.” Additional information on National Park Service operations during the shutdown can be found here: www.doi.gov
Within Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, that means trails, roads, campsites, and picnic areas remain open. Vault toilets will be serviced at a minimum level.
Please note:
OUR EFFORTS, With your support
At the start of the shutdown, Friends entered a time-limited agreement with NPS to fund Tekαkαpimək operations in order to help prevent disruption to travel plans and sustain the economic benefits visitors bring to Katahdin region communities. Visitor safety was also a major consideration: the opportunity to consult with a ranger and receive information before traveling in the monument is critical at this new unit with limited wayfinding. Equally important, Tekαkαpimək was born from deep partnerships with the Wabanaki Nations; out of respect for those partnerships, we wanted to ensure continued access to the stories within Tekαkαpimək, on Indigenous People’s Day especially.
With our donation period completed and Tekαkαpimək closed, we once again are calling for a swift resolution to the shutdown, and an FY26 budget that secures full funding and staffing for the National Park Service. We continue to advocate on this front and invite you to, as well.
our request of visitors
For visitors exploring Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument during the shutdown, we urge extra attention to safety while staff and services are limited. As a reminder, monument roads are unpaved, there is no cell service, and there is no potable water within monument boundaries. Download the National Park Service app and set your park to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument (offline setting) in advance of your trip.
Additionally, we ask visitors to minimize their impact while recreating, including packing in and packing out all trash, for the protection of this cherished natural resource we all want to see healthy and thriving.
The Katahdin Region is rich with recreation and education opportunities for visitors beyond the monument, from the Patten Lumbermen’s Museum to Penobscot River Trails to the New England Outdoor Center. Consider spending more time in our welcoming gateway communities during this period of limited operations at the monument. Learn more at DestinationKatahdin.org.
We will continue to update this page as we learn how Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is impacted by this lapse in federal funding. Please note, NPS is unable to maintain its website or update communication channels during this time.
Thank you for your support and patience during this challenging time.
Posted: September 19, 2025 by Elise Goplerud
Foliage, Food and Falls: A Fall Day Trip Itinerary in Katahdin Woods & Waters
Written by Elise Goplerud, Education CoordinatorEarlier this September, I set out to design a day trip that balances flavor, foliage, and falls, while showcasing the best of the north end of the Katahdin region. You can’t see it all in one go, but this itinerary offers a sampling of what makes fall here special.
Morning: Farmstand Finds & Local Flavor
I pulled off the highway in Sherman around 9 a.m., grabbed gas at the Citgo, and queued up my favorite autumn playlist (thank you, Spotify’s Scarf Season). My first stop was an Amish farm stand on the way to Patten. The woman running it chatted with me about her day’s harvest and the dinner she was preparing for the men who I had seen working in the fields with their horses. I left with fresh cookies in hand—a perfect snack for the adventure ahead.
In Patten, I made a necessary stop at Morning Rush Cafe. On a crisp fall morning, there’s nothing better than one of Ben Rush’s chai lattes. I also picked up a breakfast burrito that, while hard to describe exactly, is some magical combination of egg, sausage, cheese, and sauce.
Mid-Morning: Scenic Drive into the Monument
Adventure: Biking to Grand Pitch
The old logging road from Haskell Gate to Grand Pitch is closed to vehicles, but it’s perfect for beginner gravel biking or a day hike.
Haskell Hut & Rock: Fifteen minutes in, I paused to watch otters near the hut before biking down to see Haskell Rock—a massive conglomerate stone with deep geologic and logging history.
Pond Pitch: Another cascade and campsite along the river, where the portage trail reminds you of the human history of this landscape.
Grand Pitch: By noon, I reached Grand Pitch, one of the Monument’s most spectacular waterfalls. Even with lower flow from the dry summer, the falls were a powerful sight. You can hear the same thunder of the East Branch that has echoed for generations. Long before it was a National Monument, this river was a vital travel route for the Penobscot people. I enjoyed those farm stand cookies from earlier by the river before heading back.
At 1:15, I was back at the trailhead—tired, content, and ready for lunch.
Afternoon: Burgers, Waterfalls & Ice Cream
Lunch was at Matagamon Wilderness Campground, where the homemade bear-branded buns make their burgers extra special. While waiting, I browsed the gift shop, admired the taxidermy, and said hello to the campground’s very friendly yellow labs.
No perfect fall day ends without ice cream, so I wrapped things up at Shin Pond Village. Their scoops always hit the spot and I love a fall day that starts chilly and ends warm. Shin Pond Village is also an excellent lunch spot!
By 3:45, I was back on the highway after a seven-hour loop through some of Maine’s most beautiful landscapes. The combination of local food, autumn colors, and Monument solitude made for a perfect fall day trip.
Of course, this itinerary only scratches the surface—there are countless other trails, lakes, and local spots to explore in the Katahdin region (get some ideas here). But if you’ve got just one day, this mix of flavor and foliage is hard to beat.
Safety Notes for Fall Adventures
Exploring Katahdin Woods and Waters and the surrounding region in the fall comes with a few important reminders:
Posted: September 10, 2025 by Elise Goplerud
Stars Over Katahdin Returns on Saturday, September 27th
Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters
Contact: Brian Hinrichs, Executive Director, brian@friendsofkww.org
For Immediate Release: Wednesday September 10, 2025
Stars Over Katahdin Returns on Saturday, September 27th
Patten, ME – Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters invites the public to Stars Over Katahdin on Saturday, September 27th to celebrate some of the darkest skies east of the Mississippi. The event at Taylor’s Katahdin View Campground in Stacyville will feature a variety of programming for all ages starting at 4 p.m. featuring National Park Service rangers, Penobscot Nation historian James Eric Francis Sr., and the Burnurwurbskek Singers, followed by stargazing with expert astronomers.
Thanks to generous supporters of Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters, including lead sponsors Richardson’s Hardware and Maine Beer Company, registration is free and can be found at friendsofkww.org/stars. The website also includes the full program, which will continue to be updated.
Stars Over Katahdin began as a community event 12 years ago to raise awareness about protecting the dark skies above the Katahdin region. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument was created in 2016, and the monument was designated an International Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2020. At the time, the Sanctuary designation was the second of its kind in the National Park Service and made Katahdin Woods and Waters the first International Dark Sky Place certified in the state of Maine and New England.
Vona’s Food Wagon (cash only) will be on site for the event, and visitors may also carry in picnic dinners and camp chairs. This is a dog-free event.
Taylor’s Katahdin View Campground is located at 38 Swift Brook Road, Stacyville, Maine, approximately 6 miles from exit 264 on I-95.
Registration and details can be found at friendsofkww.org/stars and additional high-resolution photography is available upon request.
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The mission of Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters is to preserve, protect, and enhance Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and inspire a community dedicated to the Monument’s future. Friends is an official philanthropic partner to the National Park Service.
Posted: September 8, 2025 by Sarah Andre
Peak Summer – August eNewsletter
A wonderful Woods & Waters Day, record visitation, Stars Over Katahdin this month, fall community events, and more…
Are you feeling it? The air’s shift from stiflingly hot to fresh and breezy, a wink of bright orange amid the green canvas of a hillside, or the ease of sitting outside at dusk – without the shrill approach of a mosquito’s whine.
Fall is not here yet, but it will be soon. Make plans now to soak up the quieter days of late summer with a day trip to Orin Falls for a dip in the warmest water the Wassataquoik can offer or a pre-dawn drive to the Lynx Pond viewing platform to witness a wetland waking up (that might include a moose, if you’re lucky). Or think ahead to fall days for a weekend away that includes a peaceful paddle from the Lunksoos boat launch and taking in the foliage from the balcony of Tekαkαpimək Contact Station.
To make the most of your excursion and stay safe in your travels, begin with these three steps:
1. Spend time taking in the rich resources at: nps.gov/kaww/planyourvisit,
2. Install the NPS App on your smartphone and tap the cloud-shaped icon at the top of the screen to download all the park maps and information for offline use (trust us when we say cell service is unreliable),
3. Visit Destination Katahdin and/or the Katahdin Chamber of Commerce website for lodging, shopping, dining, and more to explore!
Of course, if you still have questions, send me a message and the Friends staff will do our best to provide an answer or connect you to someone who can. We are mission-bound to inspire you to explore, learn, and deepen your relationship to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, so we can’t wait to hear from you!
Celebrating Nine Years! Woods & Waters Day Highlights
Every year we are overwhelmed by the support of our corporate and nonprofit sponsors that make this event possible. Thank you to our Katahdin Sponsors Maine Beer Company and Richardson’s Hardware; Lookout Sponsors Burt’s Bees, Down East Magazine, Elliotsville Foundation, L.L.Bean, National Parks Conservation Association, Versant Power, and Wright-Ryan Construction; Deasey Sponsors Bangor Savings Bank, Haley Ward, NorthLight Foundation, and New England Outdoor Center; and many more!
Next year marks the tenth birthday for Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and we are already excited to start planning for the momentous occasion. Stay tuned!
Preserving and Protecting Our Night Skies
Have you registered yet? Stars Over Katahdin is Friends’ annual celebration of the International Dark Sky Association’s recognition of Katahdin Woods and Waters as a Dark Sky Sanctuary, boasting the darkest skies east of the Mississippi River! Each year, Stars Over Katahdin draws families, school groups, members, and visitors from afar for campfire chats, educational experiences, and inspiration before turning our eyes upward to explore the cosmos through state-of-the-art telescopes.
This year, the event returns to Taylor’s Katahdin View Campground on the Swift Brook Road in Stacyville, right on the way into the monument’s southern entrance. Make a day of exploring the woods and waters via the Scenic Loop Road with a stop at Tekαkαpimək Contact Station to check out the maps, chat with a ranger, and take in the artistry of the the building, exhibits, and landscape. Return to Taylor’s in the later afternoon for an evening of wonder featuring a presentation by James Eric Francis, Sr., Penobscot; a family-friendly naturalist activity with a National Park Service Ranger (and an opportunity to earn a Junior Ranger badge!); a model rocket launching; and so much more! See the full schedule and register for this free event here.
Behind the Signs
News from the National Park Service and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
Ripple Effect
News and notes from the Katahdin region, the Friends community, and beyond
Sponsor Spotlight
Thank you to our newest Lookout level sponsor Wright-Ryan Construction! For more than forty years, the team at Wright-Ryan has been building Maine’s great spaces – among them the award-winning Tekαkαpimək Contact Station.
Sponsors provide crucial funding that supports Friends’ mission and work. To learn more about becoming a sponsor, visit friendsofkww.org/sponsorship or contact sarah@friendsofkww.org.
—This blog post was adapted from an email sent on August 29, 2025. Sign up for our email list at friendsofkww.org/signup