All in for Winter - February eNewsletter - Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters

Winter Festival, oodles of snow, federal updates, youth ski adventures, and more…

A partially iced over river winds through a boreal forest on a snowy day. — *A dreamlike snowy scene at the Seboeis River. Photo credit: Ross Knowlton*

As we began to gather stories for this newsletter, eight or nine inches of snow fell over Katahdin Woods and Waters, contributing to the base of up to 30 inches on the ground in late February. Over the school break throughout our state, many families found ways to take advantage of a classic winter! Much of what we share this month will be fun and familiar – reminding you where to find the groomed trails in and around KAWW, pointing out engaging events, and telling stories of local youth connecting to the land. But we also share challenging news from the National Park Service. Federal actions have impacted our NPS colleagues and their work. We are staying abreast of developments and taking action when we can.

Friends has leapt into the year ready to deliver powerful outdoor and community-based learning to hundreds of local youth. Together, we will continue to find ways to deepen those connections to nature for kids, families, and visitors to Katahdin Woods and Waters.

Friends’ News

Facing New Challenges

It’s no secret: the National Park Service is facing unprecedented challenges in 2025. With 1,000 probationary NPS employees terminated, we at Friends are working hard behind the scenes to communicate the resulting on-the-ground challenges to our elected officials while evaluating how our role as a support group may need to shift in the coming months. Locally at KAWW, we understand the current NPS team may face changes to current staffing and recruitment.

We can report a bright spot: hiring of seasonal employees at KAWW is moving forward, meaning some of the most critical visitor-facing rangers and maintenance jobs in the monument can be recruited. We thank members of our congressional delegation for hearing concerns on this front. The Monument staff are eager to continue providing accesss to these invaluable public lands and the experiences they offer.

As a valued member of the Friends of KWW network, we invite you to:

Express your concerns to your elected officials directly or using a form like this one from National Parks Conservation Association;
Stay tuned for volunteer opportunities that will support our NPS colleagues.

February Vacation Camp

A group of children interacts with an adult at a display counter in a museum-like setting, with items on the walls. — Learning in the community

Children playing in deep snow, one kneeling and the other crouching, bundled up in colorful winter outfits. — Learning how to fall and get up!

A teacher presents to a group of students seated around tables in a classroom with bikes and supplies in the background. — Ranger Crystal leads a lesson.

Katahdin Learning Project staff look forward to February Vacation Camp all year. Months of planning, coordination with dozens of guest speakers and community partners, and countless emails with parents all come together when students arrive on the first morning—many storming staff with stories of their outdoor adventures since the last camp. This year, fully half our campers returned from 2024, eager to dive back in! Teen ambassadors with warm smiles confidently welcomed the new students, remembering their own excitement and nervous butterflies when they first joined.

This program enriches more than just the young campers—in fact, it ripples through our entire community. Teens gain leadership skills, guest speakers find inspiration in the curiosity and enthusiasm of their young audience, and the broader community sees hope for the future. Based out of the Millinocket Memorial Library, the children can be seen around town throughout the week demonstrating care for the land and each other. We were thrilled to welcome for the first time District Ranger Lauren from the Maine Forest Service to lead an interactive lesson on tree ecology—just one of many experiences that make each year fresh and exciting.

Vacation Camp is a true community effort, made possible by our incredible partners, guest experts, supportive parents, and generous donors like you. To everyone who contributed—thank you for helping us create something very special.

Haskell Hut Ski Trip

Over the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday weekend, six local middle and high school students went on a journey they won’t soon forget: an overnight cross-country ski trip to Haskell Hut. Friends’ Education Coordinator Elise wrote a trip report with all the highlights – catch up on our blog for the full story.

…the snow-covered trail was both familiar and entirely new, as they had biked it with us during the summer months. Now, blanketed in snow, the landscape seemed transformed. 

Save the Dates

*Sponsorships available for 2025 events! Photo credit: Northern Oak Medi*a

Mark your calendars for our beloved summer and fall events!

Woods and Waters Day – Saturday, August 16th at Shin Pond Village, Mt. Chase

Stars Over Katahdin – Saturday, September 27 in the Katahdin Region (exact location TBA)

Behind the Signs

News from the National Park Service and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

Grooming and conditions on the Old River Road for non-motorized winter recreation are updated at Winter Trail Conditions – Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument (U.S. National Park Service).
Snowmobiling is allowed in KAWW on the Interconnected Trail System (ITS) only. Snowmobile routes are over disturbed areas that were used for logging, and there is no ground disturbance since it is over snow. Find more information at snowmobile – Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument (U.S. National Park Service).

Shout out to KAWW Ranger Crystal Lewis for her work putting together a fun-tastic program for the Winter Festival on Saturday, March 1st. We are excited for more community events where you can meet many of the staff who care for the monument’s lands, wildlife, and facilities.

Ripple Effect

News and notes from the Katahdin region, the Friends community, and beyond

The Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions will host a panel discussion about Tekαkαpimək Contact Station with members of the creative team. Virtually and in-person at UMaine, Orono on March 24th
A brand-new, comprehensive XC Skiing Travel Guide from the Katahdin Woods and Waters Scenic Byway covers everything you need to know for a winter wonder-ful trip
Friends education staff love guiding youth in KAWW, but we get really excited when local teachers lead trips for even more students: Stearns High School recently hosted a group on an overnight ski trip to Haskell Hut!

Sponsor Spotlight

Thank you to our Lookout level sponsor L.L.Bean, where “land access and preservation has always been one L.L.Bean’s core values.”

And thank you to Katahdin Trust for their Barnard level sponsorship – standing behind their belief that a community that works together, thrives together!

Sponsors provide crucial funding that supports Friends’ mission and work. Join us for the 2025 sponsorship season! Contact: sarah@friendsofkww.org.

—This blog post was adapted from an email sent on February 28, 2025. Sign up for our email list at friendsofkww.org/signup