A letter from Molly Ross, President of the Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters Board of Directors-
On a hazy August morning in Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, a salmon wound through waving aquatic grasses at the cool, silty bottom of the East Branch of the Penobscot River near the bank’s steep edge–where silver maples’ thick trunks stretch into lacelike canopies across the water.
A bald eagle, atop a white pine close to the confluence of the East Branch and Seboeis Rivers, scanned for the silver flash of a fish across the water. The eagle’s vantage also included the forested top of Lookout Mountain, where Tekαkαpimək Contact Station now sits. Invisible from the river, folks from nearby towns, across Maine, New England, and beyond came together to celebrate the accomplishment of a remarkable building and the relationships it represents.
Paddling near Lunksoos campsites and Tekαkαpimək. (Taylor Walker photo)
Fish and eagles, grasses and trees, mosquitoes and dragonflies play their important roles in the nature of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, and right now our responsibility to care for all these relationships has never been more important. Tekαkαpimək Contact Station helps us understand this through a Wabanaki worldview, significantly deepening our knowledge, understanding, and connection to this special place.
Near the end of my long career with the National Park Service in 2016, I had the privilege of contributing to the eventual establishment of KWWNM as a unit of the National Park System. Today, post-retirement, I am almost as busy and just as committed to furthering the success of the monument as the board chair of Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters. I can see clearly that we are at a critical juncture. Tekαkαpimək Contact Station and the woods and waters it celebrates must be fully supported for the future.
And that is why I’m making my largest contribution yet to Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters. Today, I invite you to join me.
Helping visitors understand this landscape in a new light imbued with Wabanaki perspectives. (Tekαkαpimək Contact Station, James Florio photo)
I am inspired more than ever by what is happening right here in northern Maine’s Katahdin region. We are immersed in community-based efforts to establish a public access route from Millinocket, impactful educational work of the Katahdin Learning Project, and essential relationship-building with the Penobscot and other Wabanaki Nations. With the construction of Tekαkαpimək Contact Station completed, it is time to support our NPS partners in many projects to improve the visitor experience and assure the best management of the monument’s natural and cultural resources. Believe me, there is much to do! Come, be part of it, as we stand up and steward this unit of the National Park System, honoring and inspiring all generations, past, present, and future, “as far as one can see.”
No gift is too small. Your donation will ensure the preservation of these woods and waters and the telling of their stories, from the salmon swimming in the East Branch to the ancestors who are part of the landscape.
Yours Truly,
Molly Ross, President, Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters Board of Directors
PS: Help us jump-start our annual appeal – click to make asecure online donation. Your gift makes it possible!
For Immediate Release: Monday, September 9, 2024Contact: Brian Hinrichs, Executive Director, (631) 626-0900, brian@friendsofkww.org
Patten, ME – Registration is now open for the 11th Annual Stars Over Katahdin, presented by Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters on Saturday, September 28th. The event celebrates the darkest skies east of the Mississippi River with opportunities to explore the night sky guided by expert astronomers, state-of-the-art telescopes, and National Park Service Night Sky Rangers. With activities running from 4 PM until 9 pm at the Lumbermen’s Museum, attendees will also have the chance to visit education booths and participate in campfire chats.
“For eleven years, some of those before the monument was established, volunteers and community members have been highlighting these exceptional dark skies at the Stars Over Katahdin event,” said Kala Rush, Education Director. “Thanks to our community and this event, we now have an International attraction that uplifts a local wonder and every year brings people to the Katahdin Region.”
The free event is made possible by Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters (FKWW) and its sponsors, including Richardson’s Hardware and Maine Beer Company. FKWW is an official philanthropic partner to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. In 2020, the Monument was designated an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, only the second such designation within the National Park Service and the first in Maine and New England.
Food will be available for purchase onsite. The Lumbermen’s Museum is located at 61 Shin Pond Rd, Patten.
More information and registration is available at friendsofkww.org/stars/ and high resolution photography is available upon request.
Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters
Contact: Brian Hinrichs, brian@friendsofkww.org
For Immediate Release: Thursday, August 1, 2024
Note on usage: Any publication using these materials must include the following statement All Wabanaki Cultural and Intellectual Property shared within this project is owned by the Wabanaki Nations.
Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters will host the events celebrating the future of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
Patten, Maine – Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters will host a series of celebratory events marking a new era for Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in August.
Tekαkαpimək Contact Station is in the final stages of construction, and visitors will have the opportunity for a first look at the remarkable building and 23 acre site over the course of the weekend. Registration is required, with visitation planned for 2pm to 5pm on August 17th and 10am to 4pm on August 18th. Those who sign up will receive details and directions via email.
Woods and Waters Day is an annual celebration sponsored by Maine Beer Company and Richardson’s Hardware marking the anniversary of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Held at New England Outdoor Center / Ktaadn Resorts on August 17th at 5pm, the event will include a silent auction and raffle, delicious food, Maine Beer Company on tap, and live music from the Fogtown Family Band – under the tent on the shores of Millinocket Lake. Tickets are $40 and currently have limited availability.
Molly Ross, Board President for Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters, says, “This is an important weekend for the Katahdin region, as we celebrate new ways of seeing, understanding, and working together to preserve and enjoy our woods and waters. We have planned the weekend with the hope that our guests and visitors, new and returning, will have a fun, meaningful, and memorable experience.”
Information on the history and partnerships behind Tekαkαpimək Contact Station is provided below. For media inquiries, please contact Brian Hinrichs.
Tekαkαpimək Contact Station is a stunning 7,900 square-foot building and 23-acre site atop Lookout Mountain created to welcome the global public to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. The monument is located within the present and traditional homeland of the Penobscot Nation. The land and waters hold special significance to the Penobscot Nation and is inextricably linked with Penobscot culture, ceremonies, oral traditions, language, history, and Indigenous stewardship which continues the respectful relationship with the land and waterways that has gone back more than 11,000 years. Katahdin is a culturally significant place to the Wabanaki people where connecting watersheds provide important travel routes for Wabanaki people of Maine, comprised of Maliseet, Mi’kmaq, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot Nations.
Tekαkαpimək is a Penobscot language word for “as far as one can see”, pronounced deh gah-gah bee mook. Architectural, landscape and exhibition designs for Tekαkαpimək resulted from a process between Elliotsville Foundation, representatives of the Wabanaki Nations, Saunders Architecture, Reed Hilderbrand Landscape Architecture, WeShouldDoItAll, Tuhura Communications, Erin Hutton Projects, and the National Park Service. The design process began in 2019 and construction will be completed in 2024, with public hours to be announced. Early visitation opportunities have been organized for August 17th and 18th, 2024.
Tekαkαpimək’s waysides and exhibits orient visitors to the monument, inspiring them to experience Katahdin Woods and Waters from its peaks, trails, and rivers to its ever-changing foliage, brilliant night sky, and abundant wildlife. Interpretation is through a Wabanaki lens in a contemporary context, honoring the past and showing vibrant communities moving sustainably into the future. All Wabanaki Cultural Knowledge and Intellectual Property shared within this project is owned by the Wabanaki Nations – the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, Mi’kmaq Nation, Passamaquoddy Tribe, and Penobscot Nation.
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument spans 87,563 acres in north-central Maine. Tekαkαpimək lies at its southeastern corner. The contact station building features vistas across the expanse of the monument to Katahdin and up the East Branch of the Penobscot River while hidden from paddlers below. An eastern lookout and gathering circle allow visitors to greet the day’s first light, reflecting traditions of the “People of the Dawn” and providing views to all Wabanaki homelands. Handicapped parking and pedestrian routes throughout the site are designed to make areas accessible.
State-of-the-art green technology in the building demonstrates a significantly reduced carbon footprint relative to other buildings of its scale. Tekαkαpimək utilizes local materials in every possible instance, is fully off-grid, solar and thermal powered, and maximizes passive design strategies for heating and cooling. Innovative use of nominal lumber casts a light on the emerging sustainable bio-economy.
Funded through a capital campaign by Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters, Tekαkαpimək will be donated to the American people and operated by the National Park Service. Lead philanthropic support comes from Elliotsville Foundation, the Roxanne Quimby Foundation, Burt’s Bees, National Park Foundation, L.L. Bean, NorthLight Foundation, and an Anonymous supporter, among many other generous contributors.
Unplugged summer fun awaits. Photo credit: Nolan Altvater
The warm days and long evenings are perfect for exploring the landscapes of Katahdin Woods and Waters. Whether you’re hitting the trails, paddling the waterways, or simply enjoying the serenity of the woods, we hope you find inspiration and joy in these summer months. Thank you for being a part of our community and for your continued dedication to the preservation and celebration of Katahdin Woods and Waters.
As we dive into the heart of summer, we are thrilled to bring you the latest updates from our vibrant Friends community. And if you find yourself sleeping in the monument on a clear night, consider pulling the rain fly off your tent to enjoy the cool breezes and stellar views.
Management plan will consider all stakeholders. Photo credit: Ross Knowlton
Priority Park Progress
Last year, you heard from Friends about the A Monumental Welcome campaign. The campaign is funding a variety of efforts to improve and enhance the visitor experience in the monument, and we’re excited to begin sharing campaign success stories with you as these projects get underway.
Next in the spotlight, we are pleased to share that Friends will be supporting a General Management Plan (GMP) for the National Park Service (NPS) at Katahdin Woods and Waters. A GMP is a long-term strategic plan that NPS is required to create for each unit of the National Park System. The plan guides the management and use of park lands for the next 15–20 years, and is updated as conditions change. The feedback from the public from these early meetings is helping to bridge that work to the work in the GMP. The GMP’s primary purpose is to protect park resources while providing meaningful visitor experiences. The planning process will have an extensive public process to capture visitor feedback – stay tuned for how you can participate!
Friends’ News
Woods & Waters Day is August 17th! You’ve heard by now about the extraordinary weekend we have planned to celebrate Tekαkαpimək and Woods and Waters Day this August. But we’re so excited about what we have planned we’re going to keep reminding you! Delicious buffet dinner at the award-winning Ktaadn Resorts/New England Outdoor Center, funky, get-up-and-dance live music performed by the Fogtown Family Band, and the opportunity to win amazing prizes donated by artists, outdoor outfitters, Maine businesses, and more. If you haven’t RSVPd to get a first look at Tekαkαpimək (free, but registration is required) or purchased your tickets for our Woods and Waters Day Celebration, what are you waiting for? Click here, and keep in mind that you must register for each event separately.
Wabanaki double curve design bronze door handles at Tekαkαpimək Contact Station. Photo credit: Martin Pierce
Teacher Camp
Across the nation, educators are finding that rooting their educational programming deeply in the local community, both physically and thematically, is an effective strategy for achieving many of their highest priority goals.
Ranger Crystal conducts a phenology lesson. Photo credit: Hannah Boone
In schools, neighborhoods, forests, and parks, when students are studying and responsibly addressing relevant local issues the results can be increased engagement, stronger community support for education and conservation, and a renewed pride of place.
Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters presents Teacher Camp annually as a professional development opportunity and a supportive gathering that helps educators add relevancy to their instruction to enrich their school communities. A fresh theme is developed each year in response to teachers’ needs.
On June 25th, Friends’ 2024 Teacher Camp focused on Community Science! Participants enjoyed presentations and hands-on activities from Elise Goplerud (Friends of KWW), Crystal Lewis (Katahdin Woods & Waters NM) and Lauren Ouellette (Maine Forest Service).
Katahdin Learning Project
Home for a day – the Wassataquoik lean-to. Photo credit: Ross Knowlton
Friends believes that when you’re a kid, summer is best outside–on trails, bikes, and on the water. That’s exactly what the Katahdin Learning Project aims to support this summer. With our Katahdin Region Outdoor Collective (KROC) collaborators, we co-led a day hike to Gulf Hagas, introduced paddle sports, and organized a 3-day overnight hiking trip in Katahdin Woods and Waters! July will bring more great adventures; including biking, canoeing, and additional overnights.
To keep up with demand we added several more ongoing KROC programs!
These special programs stay local and families need only fill out the waiver once to participate in any/all of them. KROC programs are open to youth in grades 6-12. Learn more and sign up here.
Thank you to the Maine Department of Education for the generous grant that helps us keep these programs free for participants. *
Superintendent Mark Wimmer is the winner of the Director’s Award for Excellence in Cultural Resource Management & Stewardship for his leadership and commitment to developing trust and strong relationships between KAWW and the federally recognized Tribes in Maine by working to protect Tribal interests and further nation-to-nation relationships with Indigenous partners.
Facility Manager Christopher (Dewey) Loft received the Director’s Award for Excellence in Natural Resource Management in Maintenance. By working with the Monument’s Interdisciplinary team, Tribes, and state partners to develop bridge and culvert improvement projects, Dewey has been instrumental in improving infrastructure for fish passage for endangered Atlantic salmon.
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is going social! Follow and Like them on their *new* official Facebook page!
The KAWW website also has fresh updates. One of our favorite new features is the hiking page which details all of the great trails in the monument–so you can choose the perfect one for you!
Sometimes it is just nice to talk with a person. The KAWW information desk at the Lumberman’s Museum (61 Shin Pond Rd, Patten) is open Friday-Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Stop in or call 207-465-6001.
The Deasey Trail hike is perfect for families. Photo credit: Taylor Walker
Ripple Effect – News and notes from the Katahdin region, the Friends community, and beyond
Tuesday nights are trail nights this summer at Hammond Ridge! Meet at 5:30 p.m. at Knife Edge Brewing to join a group mountain bike ride with Katahdin Area Trails. For all ages and abilities (no instruction provided).
Friends’ Executive Director Brian Hinrichs joined the Katahdin Collaborative’s quarterly meeting on July 10th, a “great meeting of the minds.”
Thank you to our Lookout level sponsor Haley Ward, a 100% employee-owned technical consulting firm headquartered in Bangor. Haley Ward has been a crucial part of the Tekαkαpimək construction team and a longtime supporter of Friends!
And thank you to NEMO Equipment for their Deasey level sponsorship! NEMO is a New England company committed to innovation, sustainability, and making the outdoors accessible to all–we even caught the team camping out in the monument recently!
Sponsors provide crucial funding that supports Friends mission and work. To learn more about becoming sponsor in 2024, visit friendsofkww.org/sponsorship or contact sarah@friendsofkww.org.
—This blog post was adapted from an email sent on July 23, 2024. Sign up for our email list at friendsofkww.org/signup
*American Rescue Plan Act GEER, Reverted EANS Funding received from the USDOE support the implementation of this project. The project has an award totaling $6.6 million dollars of which 100% is federally funded and directly attributed to project implementation. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by the USDOE or the U.S. Government. The USDOE provided the Katahdin Learning Project (KLP) with $105,876.19, 42% of KLP’s annual budget, to support grade 6-12 programming. This grant finances 100% of grade 6-12 programming March-September 2024.
Summer events, family getaways, youth adventures, signs to get you there, and more…
Waiting for a strike. Photo credit: Nolan Altvater
We are excited to share that registration is now open for our annual summer celebration, Woods & Waters Day! You are invited to join us on the evening of Saturday, August 17th at Ktaadn Resorts New England Outdoor Center in Millinocket. This year’s celebration honors the many accomplishments achieved by this community in just eight years since the designation of Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument. Among the highlights is Tekαkαpimək Contact Station, now poised to usher in the next era of visitation to the Katahdin region. Tickets and a whole lot more information can be found here!
But don’t wait until August to visit if you can help it. Early summer is a wonderful time for paddling the East Branch of the Penobscot, a weekend camping getaway, or a gravel bike tour. Sure, the mosquitos are biting, but so are the fish. The roads are dusty, but they connect your family and friends to coldwater streams, lush green canopies, possible moose sightings, and each other.
Read on for stories about the Katahdin Learning Project’s enrichment programs in local schools, new signage coming to the monument, news from the National Park Service, and more.
Priority Park Progress
Last year, you heard from Friends about the A Monumental Welcome campaign. The campaign is funding a variety of efforts to improve and enhance the visitor experience in the monument, and we’re excited to begin sharing campaign success stories with you as these projects get underway.
The next project we want to highlight is a new signage and wayfinding plan! This project includes an assessment of existing park signage and then a comprehensive master wayfinding plan to identify the need and location for additional signage at KAWW. The master plan will include a layout of all new/replacement signs, fabrication details, and locations. Funds granted by Friends will also cover the purchase and installation of the new/replacement signs.
Friends’ News
We sent our Spring Membership Appeal letters at the beginning of June. Many of you have responded generously with donations of all sizes – thank you!! Membership support makes nearly everything we do possible now, and better in the future. If you can, we hope you’ll take just a few moments to send your support today.
The end of the school year is a busy time for teachers, students, parents, and Friends’ place-based education program Katahdin Learning Project! As school-based programming finished, staff shifted to training summer staff. A recent high point was kayaking Millinocket Stream with high school students from Houlton and Millinocket. Skowhegan Outdoors and the Millinocket X-Stream Race helped make this excursion possible – thank you!
Ronan with students in April Vacation Camp. Photo credit: She of the Flowers
KLP recently celebrated the conclusion of a pilot program. Students at Stearns High School in Millinocket with qualifying grades can opt in to “enrichment time,” with choices such as going to the library or gym. This spring, for the first time, they also had the option to join Outside Enrichment with the Katahdin Learning Project. Students were surveyed in March to discover their interests, which led to activities ranging from archery to outdoor cooking to discussions on wilderness ethics. Student feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and when asked if we should continue next year, the response was, “Yes, but more!” We recently bid a fond farewell to spring Seasonal Educator Ronan, who showed us that a deep personal passion for the outdoor world is truly contagious.
Attention Katahdin Region middle and high school students – only a few spots remain in our Summer Adventure Series! These free experiences are funded through the Maine Department of Education’s Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative (MOLI) to provide Maine students with hands-on, outdoor learning experiences this summer.
Behind the Signs
News from the National Park Service and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
All monument road gates are now open! Grading and repairs were undertaken this spring, however, please be prepared for slow and bumpy travel on these rustic routes.
Frontcountry trails including the Deasey Pond Trail, Messer Pond, and more, are all cleared of winter debris and ready for hikers. Backcountry trails will be cleared by mid-June.
ALERT! The Seboeis Connector Road is temporarily closed due to washout. Click over to the National Park Service KAWW website to find updates, and all alerts, before any trip to the monument.
Have you booked your KAWW camping getaway at recreation.gov yet?
Kiah Walker was recently hired as the new Natural Resouces Program Manager. Kiah is recently coming from Minuteman National Historic Park, where she served as a biologist. Kiah has professional experience in the New England area with the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is originally from New Hampshire.
Friends’ staff watched this video released by Grand Canyon National Park. The 24-minute film invites viewers and visitors to experience Grand Canyon through the stories of some of the eleven Associated Tribes’ members. The collaborative project, years in the making, is a joint effort of the Intertribal Working Group, Grand Canyon Conservancy, and Grand Canyon National Park.
Ripple Effect
News and notes from the Katahdin region, the Friends community, and beyond
June is Love Maine Trails Month! Thank you to the hundreds of volunteers donating thousands of hours of time this June to get our beloved trails around the state in tip-top shape.
The Maine Chapter of the International Appalachian Trail announced their 2024 Maine IAT sponsored hike schedule – and they are all in KAWW! Check it out, space is very limited.
The Katahdin Region Outdoor Collective (KROC) Summer Outdoor Adventures have garnered so much excitement that the team decided to add more one-day, close-to-home skill building activities. Katahdin region rising 6-12th graders–check it out and sign up today!
Sponsor Spotlight
Thank you to our new Lookout sponsor Versant Power. Contributing both time and funding to nonprofits in its service area, Versant supports many local organizations and initiatives. We are proud to have you as a Friend!
And thank you to Bangor Savings Bank for supporting Friends as a Deasey sponsor! Your commitment to community is making a difference for the monument and region.
A letter from board member Matt Polstein, President & Founder of Ktaadn Resorts (home of New England Outdoor Center), and Maine’s Small Business Owner of the Year! Thank you for all you do, Matt!
Dear Friends,
2024 is shaping up to be a BIG year for Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument–and there has never been a better time to become a Friend than right now, during our annual spring Membership Appeal!
My story: I moved to the state and became a Registered Maine Guide in 1981. I fell in love with the Katahdin Region and invested in building a business based on outdoor recreation here in Millinocket almost 30 years ago. From rafting trips to a campground, snowmobile and ski trails, luxury cabin rentals, a brewery and events center…time flies!
Today, I want to thank you for caring and encourage you to become a member of Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters.
Did you know? Membership supports all of the following:
Dam and culvert replacement to restore native sea-run Atlantic Salmon passage throughout the Penobscot River Watershed;
Promotion of responsible and sustainable visitation to Katahdin Woods and Waters for the year-round benefit of surrounding communities;
Community science in the monument and the region: teaching local youth to test water quality in rivers and observe changes over time;
And so much more!
Since 2016, we enjoy more hiking trails and better fishing in trout streams on monument land today, thanks to the persistence and generosity of those who believed. Because of folks like you, the next generation will find these woods and waters better than we did, and learn a more complete story of the land. On August 17th, Tekαkαpimək Contact Station will open to the public. Unlike any welcome center in our national parks system, the building and natural landscape atop Lookout Mountain will invite the public to experience and learn through the lens of a Wabanaki world view.
Please join me and invest in nature, community, and the stewards of tomorrow. The level of support is up to you—what matters is our shared voice.
See you on the trail,
Matt Polstein
Upper East Branch of the Penobscot: a place worth protecting. Nolan Altvater photo
Road improvements, youth building community, member meet-ups, summer camping reservations open, and more…
Hear me chirp! Photo credit: Ross Knowlton
Cue the sounds of spring in the monument: the passionate chirps and trills of the chickadees, raucous choir of spring peepers, deep thrums of the grouse, and many more. Surrounded by the excitement of amphibian and avian courtship sounds, we humans find spring to be a time of inspiration and energy as well. What are the sounds and activities that you look forward to each May?
While we hope you have plans to visit the monument soon, don’t forget that Friends is on the road for our Membership May events – happening at our favorite brewpubs around the state.
We are humbled by the amazing community of people who partner with us and impact our work. We have exciting news to share from NPS, and this month’s Ripple Effect is chock full of inspirational articles, profiles, and events that you won’t want to miss.
Priority Park Progress
Take time to enjoy the ride (your car will thank you). Photo credit: Taylor Walker
Last year, you heard from Friends about the “A Monumental Welcome” campaign. The campaign is funding a variety of efforts to improve and enhance the visitor experience in the monument, and we’re excited to begin sharing campaign success stories with you as we enter 2024 and these projects get underway.
Roads are always a hot topic in the monument. We at Friends are proud to share that we’ve granted $205,000 to NPS for road work in FY24 and FY25. This funding will be utilized to grade, brush, and ditch visitor use roads, particularly in the South. NPS will be renting a grader, as well as purchasing materials and hiring staff to re-deck bridges, repair culverts, fill potholes, and address storm damage. As we talk about roads, as a reminder, please always be on the lookout for logging trucks and practice safe driving in the monument. We hope you enjoy smooth sailing driving in 2024!
Friends News
Elise leads campers on a walk in the woods. Photo credit: She of the Flowers
Katahdin Learning Project – Friends education staff are still beaming after a wonderful week of bringing nature and community together for our third annual (still free!) April Vacation Camp in Millinocket. During the week, Vacation Campers learned…
The importance of clean water to people and wildlife
How to be safe near and on the water
About the past and present of the Wabanaki Nations
What resources they have in their community
How pollinators help the ecosystem
To Leave No Trace while playing outside
What trees fill our forests
“You got this!” Photo credit: She of the Flowers
Education Coordinator Elise emphasizes that camp teaches lessons beyond the programmed instruction. Children realized that they had a voice in environmental action. Others felt like they belonged to a community that accepts and will listen to them with empathy. Several kids simply discovered that the outdoors is a wonderful place to be. The middle and high school volunteers found out what it means to be a good role model and the satisfaction of helping others. For a few local students this was their third consecutive year of Vacation Camp! We’re grateful to be a positive part of these kids’ lives. Thank you to KAWW Ranger Crystal Lewis who taught a wildlife lesson about salmon and helped campers become Junior Rangers. This program happens in collaboration with Outdoor Sport Institute, Katahdin Gear Library, and Millinocket Memorial Library. We had additional support from Our Katahdin, Katahdin Collaborative, and Northern Penobscot Activities Council, and of course, YOU, our members!
Monument Access Bill Introduced – Last week, Senator Angus S. King, Jr. introduced a new Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act to help more people access the Monument via a southern route from Millinocket on portions of the Stacyville, Huber, and Roberts roads. This legislation is markedly different from the Access Act introduced last Congress, incorporating important local feedback. We are pleased to see extensive support from the Millinocket business community and the Penobscot Nation. Friends of KWW executive director Brian Hinrichs says, “Access through Millinocket will bring economic benefits to local businesses and convenience to visitors looking to explore more of the Katahdin region. We’re excited to see progress on this critical legislation and look forward to supporting its passage.” The official press release includes more detail, including links to a map and the full legislation.
Behind the Signs
News from the National Park Service and Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument
While not required for summer camping at KAWW, campsite reservations are free with a small online or phone processing fee. Browse and book at recreation.gov to ensure you get your favorite spot!
The Loop Road and north gates are scheduled to swing open on May 24th. Friends will post on social when it happens!
Seasonal NPS staff in maintenance, interpretation/education, and cultural resources will start between early May and mid-June. Eight of the 17 employees hired so far are from local communities!
NPS Trivia – Q: What is a “unigrid?” A: The NPS-standard fold-out brochure that you’ll find at kiosks and visitor contact stations at many National Parks, Monuments, and Historic Sites–and now, Katahdin Woods and Waters! (Psst, Friends will have KAWW Unigrids available at our member meet-ups.)
Ripple Effect
News and notes from the Katahdin region, the Friends community, and beyond
Congratulations to Friends board member Matt Polstein – recognized by the Bangor Daily News as Small Business Owner of the Year. Matt is a passionate advocate for KAWW and nearly every type of outdoor recreation throughout the region.
The prestigious Legendary Maine Guide award this year goes to Kevin Slater (joining his partner Polly Mahoney, LMG 2022). Revisit this 2023 #myparkstory with Kevin here on our blog.
Just outside the Katahdin region, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians celebrated the ribbon cutting of the Wolastaq Inn and Suites, after a $2M renovation to a mid-century motel in town.
Thank you to our Lookout level sponsor Down East Magazine! Delivering the best of Maine, including the Katahdin region, year-round. Check out the Great Maine Scavenger Hunt, in the June issue on newsstands now!
Sponsors provide crucial funding that supports Friends mission and work. To learn more about becoming sponsor in 2024, visit friendsofkww.org/sponsorship or contact sarah@friendsofkww.org.
—This blog post was adapted from an email sent on May 10, 2024. Sign up for our email list at friendsofkww.org/signup
Winter melts into spring, lynx kittens, outdoor skills fun, Friends’ upcoming events, and more…
Moonlight over the Seboeis River. Photo credit: Ross Knowlton
Some seasonal transitions occur over the lapsing of days or weeks, as with the gentle warming of soil in late May or the buildup of goldenrod fluff on our sweaters after several fall hikes. Other times, nature throws out a plot twist. After a historically low snow year, the Katahdin region received up to 30 inches of fresh snow at the end of March! A brief late season gift to skiers and snowshoers, the fresh powder began succumbing to strong sunshine and then rain almost immediately. It may look like winter on the ground, but it sounds like spring: drip, drip, squish, squelch. Maine’s infamous Mud Season will be in force soon.
In light of the very seasonal wetness, please heed the advice of national, state, and local authorities and take safety precautions if you are traveling to view the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8th. Find the latest statewide information on the VisitMaine Solar Eclipse page. The National Park Service Rangers will be at family-friendly events all eclipse weekend around the region. Find details at the KAWW Eclipse page and listed below.
Looking a little further ahead, we have several exciting dates to announce! Find dates below and plan to join us for a casual member “meet and greet” at a pub near you–and mark your calendar for August 17th for the Grand Opening of Tekαkαpimək Contact Station and Woods and Waters Day!
Also this month, in Priority Park Progress we highlight an important scientific project funded by the A Monumental Welcome capital campaign and share news from the Katahdin Learning Project. Don’t miss Behind the Signs for updates and happenings direct from the park service at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, or Ripple Effect, a curated selection of notes from the Katahdin region and greater conservation community.
Priority Park Progress
Two Canada lynx kits. Photo credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Last year, you heard from Friends about the A Monumental Welcome campaign. The campaign is funding a variety of efforts to improve and enhance the visitor experience in the monument, and we’re excited to begin sharing campaign success stories with you as we enter 2024 and these projects get underway.
This month, we’re spotlighting species inventory projects funded by Friends and its donors. As an emerging NPS unit, Katahdin Woods and Waters is not supported by the Inventory & Monitoring program. Existing estimates on wildlife species is informed by hunting permits and casual observations by visitors and park staff. In 2024 and 2025, Friends’ funding for Priority Park Projects includes evaluating the presence of threatened Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) and other wildlife species to comply with federal regulations, protect species, and avoid hazards. Friends will also be funding inventory studies of the northern bog lemming (Synaptomys borealis). Northern bog lemmings are listed in Maine as a state-threatened species with potential to be listed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Although rare, the lemmings have been detected in neighboring Baxter State Park. With more survey areas, it is anticipated that the monument also provides bog lemming habitat.
Friends News –
Mark your calendars now for these upcoming events, and stay tuned for updates in your inbox, social media feeds, and at friendsofkww.org!
Friends’ “Membership May” Meet & Greet Series – Join staff, board, and volunteers at a brewpub near you for a casual opportunity to meet members, ask questions, and get a sneak peek at our fresh strategic plan. (The pizza is on us!)
Thursday, May 9th – 5:30-6:30 p.m. Virtual, Zoom
Join Friends in celebration this August. Photo credit: James E. Francis, Sr.
Tuesday, May 21st – 12-1:30 p.m. Mason’s Brewing Company, Brewer
Tuesday, May 28th – 4-6 p.m Maine Beer Company, Freeport
Teacher Camp – Educators of all types are invited to join us for a day
of learning and connecting on Tuesday, June 24th in Patten. For more information, contact klp@friendsofkww.org.
Grand Opening of Tekαkαpimək Contact Station and Woods and Waters Day – Tekαkαpimək Contact Station will open to the public the weekend of August 17 & 18, with a special Woods & Waters Day celebration the night of August 17th at Ktaadn Resorts (New England Outdoor Center) in Millinocket. More details to follow!
Immersive Outdoor Learning
Kayak roll clinic at UMaine. Photo credit: FKWW
Friends’ place-based education program, the Katahdin Learning Project, is growing! In March we welcomed Ronan, our spring seasonal Place-Based Educator. Ronan will work with KLP until the end of the school year teaching outdoor enrichment lessons in the Millinocket middle and high schools. Outdoor enrichment periods are a new student-driven program made possible with funding from the Maine Outdoor Learning Inititiave*, allowing learners to dictate the topics they’re passionate about. With Ronan at the helm, we’re excited to see the creativity and curiosity unfold! He will also assist with the planning and delivery of April Vacation Camp and other programs across the region.
Earlier in March, KLP led a visit to the University of Maine for 24 high school outdoor education students. Linking up with Maine Bound Adventure Center for a kayak roll clinic, students learned how to roll a whitewater kayak and perform a canoe “t rescue”–essential skills for exploring the waterways in the Katahdin region. PLUS students got an inside look at campus life with a university tour!
Attention locals: we are planning another UMaine visit, and this time, we’re going rock climbing! The trip takes off after school lets out for a half day on May 10th and is open to any 6th -12th grade student in the Katahdin region. For more information and to register (plus a sneak peek of summer programs) visit: friendsofkww/org/Katahdin-region-outdoor-collective
Pointing the way to a popular ski trail. Photo credit: Ross Knowlton
Behind the Signs
News from the National Park Service and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
Did you know...that every unit of the National Park Service has an official four-letter abbreviation? The abbreviation for Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is KAWW (the pronunciation is up to you).
Rangers are getting ready for a busy weekend of events leading up to the April 8th eclipse! Find them in Houlton on April 6, in Patten on April 7th, and in Island Falls on April 8th for the eclipse itself. Details are on the KAWW events calendar.
Visit (and bookmark) the KAWW page at recreation.gov to plan your summer trips and get ready to snag your favorite spot when reservations open later this month!
Ripple Effect
News and notes from the Katahdin region, the Friends community, and beyond
The Maine Land Conservation Conference is on April 12-13th in Topsham – featuring Dr. Bonnie Newsom’s keynote on Weaving Wisdoms: Introducing the New NSF Science Technology Center for Braiding Indigenous Knowledge and Science.
The Private for Public Podcast from Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife explores our treasured (and sometimes fraught) tradition of public access to private land, including a recent episode on “recreating in Maine’s working forests.”
Sponsor Spotlight
It’s the start of a new sponsorship year! We are so excited to spend the next twelve months introducing you to our corporate supporters: businesses who make their values part of the bottom line.
Always the first to say YES each year to our Katahdin level sponsorship, we are beyond grateful for Richardson’s Hardware. This 4th generation run business has grown significantly from its 1948 establishment in Patten, Maine to today. When locals get the itch for spring gardening, we’ll escape to Richardson’s greenhouse across the road!
Sponsors provide crucial funding that supports Friends mission and work. To learn more, visit friendsofkww.org/sponsorship or contact sarah@friendsofkww.org.
—This blog post was adapted from an email sent on April 3rd, 2024. Sign up for our email list at friendsofkww.org/signup
Eclipse excitement, cross-country ski report, Vacation Camp, park projects, and more…
Staff outing to the Oxbow picnic area. Photo credit: FKWW
The Katahdin Region and northern Maine are buzzing with preparations as a rare astronomical event approaches on April 8th. Katahdin Region communities are on the solar eclipse “path of totality,” meaning viewers will see the moon cover the entirety of the sun except for the corona, or sun’s atmosphere.
Take care, though! April is not peak season in our region for some good reasons. For those planning to travel to Maine for this very special experience, it will be crucial to follow the well-worn advice of “know before you go.” At Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, the North Entrance Road and Katahdin View Loop Road will remain closed for the winter season, and others may be unsafe depending on weather conditions. Start with visitmaine.com’s eclipse page to learn where and how to safely view the eclipse–some local towns have big plans and can’t wait to welcome you.
Read on to learn about plans from the National Park Service to greet monument visitors on the Swift Brook Road this summer. We share highlights from our February break Vacation Camp and Brian’s trip Washington, D.C. Visit the Friends blog for my notes from a two-day tour of groomed cross-country ski trails in the region from north to south, starting with our staff outing at the north gate entrance pictured above.
Priority Park Progres
Last year, you heard from Friends about the Monumental Welcome campaign. The campaign is funding a variety of efforts to improve and enhance the visitor experience in the monument, and we’re excited to begin sharing campaign success stories with you as we enter 2024 and these projects get underway.
We all know the drive along Swift Brook Road to the start of Loop Road can be long and if it’s your first time, somewhat confusing. The Hunt Farm parcel of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument affords a great stopping place along the way to stretch your legs and get oriented, but little infrastructure has been available. A new project aims to change that by constructing a parking area for approximately 10 vehicles off the Swift Brook Road and by providing a vault toilet and information kiosk. With increased visitation expected in coming years, this new area will offer clarity to visitors embarking on their journey into the monument.
Friends News
All smiles on the last day of Vacation Camp! Photo credit: FKWW
February Vacation Camp Connects Youth, Nature, & Community – Last week, the Katahdin Learning Project facilitated our 3rd February Vacation Camp, a free, four-day program for local elementary grade youth. Camp goals are to deepen relationships with the outdoors, spark pride in the Katahdin region, and foster a sense of stewardship for natural places. So many campers returned from 2023 that lessons built off last year’s themes to delve into more complex topics such as public lands and protecting wildlife–while having a lot of fun. We were especially excited towelcome Ranger Crystal from Katahdin Woods & Waters NM to lead some programs.
Since the first Vacation Camp, educators have seen participants’ comfort in the outdoors, understanding of land stewardship, pride in their community, and knowledge of natural resources grow. However, what happens with these students after they “age out” of Vacation Camp? We knew there was an opportunity to continue making connections, so a Youth Ambassador and Leadership program was born! Middle and high school students from the Katahdin region can now continue to attend vacation camp in volunteer roles. These young volunteers went through an application process, interviews, and attended training – all valuable first experiences. They even had the opportunity to meet rangers from Baxter State Park and the National Park Service to learn about careers in the field.
Thank you to our partners for their help with the planning and facilitation: Katahdin Gear Library, Millinocket Memorial Library, Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument, and Outdoor Sport Institute. Community supporters help camp stay free and accessible: Syntiro, Our Katahdin, Katahdin Collaborative, Millinocket Elks Club, and Northern Forest Center.
Friends of KWW, Friends of Acadia, the National Park Foundation, and Senator King. Photo credit: Office of Senator Angus King
Friends goes to Washington – On February 7th, Executive Director Brian Hinrichs and board member Lucas St. Clair represented Friends in visits with Maine’s delegation for NPF Hill Day. “It was a chance to thank our senators and representatives for supporting appropriations to NPF and for supporting the Great American Outdoors Act, both of which are having direct impact in Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. These are dollars spent locally to the benefit of all visitors, and we are grateful!”
Pictured above from left: David Ellwood, PhD (Schoodic Institute), Veronica Torres (Friends of Acadia), Sarah Unz (National Park Foundation), Eric Stiles (Friends of Acadia), Kevin Schneider (Acadia National Park), Lucas St. Clair (Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters), Senator Angus King Jr., Nick Fisichelli, PhD (Schoodic Institute), Will Shafroth (National Park Foundation), Brian Hinrichs (Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters), Elizabeth Hersh-Tucker (National Park Foundation).
Share your thoughts – Strategic planning continues this winter with the expert guidance of Solid Ground Consulting. Friends’ staff and board as well as NPS have been working through big questions to guide our future. Now, we want to hear from you!
Funds from the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund will flow to KAWW this summer for two exciting maintenance projects – clearing the old Telos Tote Road for improved hiking and mountain biking and rehabilitating the historic 1929 Deasey Fire Lookout.
Ripple Effect
News and notes from the Katahdin region, the Friends community, and beyond
Just east of the region and the very last town in the US that will experience the total eclipse on April 8th, see what Houlton has in store for Maine Eclipse Festival Weekend!
Listen to NPF’s very own Lise Aangeenbrug, NPF’s Chief Program Officer, as she talks about NPS’ overall economic impact on communities and regions, keeping a healthy symbiosis between public and private interests, combatting overtourism, and hidden gems in the park system.
Winter Wonderland Adventure at Millinocket Memorial Library:Calling all young winter explorers! A ranger from Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument will lead a journey through a winter wonderland to discover the secrets of winter survival for plants and animals on Tuesday, March 19 (learn more and register here).
Cheers to the young adventurers of Stearns’ High School’s Outdoor Ed class for their overnight ski trip to Haskell Hut.“We skied a total of 13 miles, enjoyed views of Stair Falls, slept in a backcountry cabin, and had a rousing game of Monopoly….We appreciated help with gear and logistics from the Katahdin Learning Project.”
Sponsor Spotlight
Thank you to our Lookout sponsor National Parks Conservation Association! NPCA is a tireless advocate for our national parks, historic sites, and monuments. Thank you for your work and support of Friends.
And thank you to New York Puzzle Company for their Deasey sponsorship! Thanks for putting 1% for the Planet to work with Friends!
Sponsors provide crucial funding that supports Friends mission and work. Are you ready to join us in 2024? Visit friendsofkww.org/sponsorship or contact sarah@friendsofkww.org.
—This blog post was adapted from an email sent on February 29, 2024. Sign up for our email list at friendsofkww.org/signup
What’s New
Posted: September 18, 2024 by Sarah Andre
🍂It’s our fall appeal – join or renew today!
Join Friends or renew your support today.
A letter from Molly Ross, President of the Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters Board of Directors-
On a hazy August morning in Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, a salmon wound through waving aquatic grasses at the cool, silty bottom of the East Branch of the Penobscot River near the bank’s steep edge–where silver maples’ thick trunks stretch into lacelike canopies across the water.
A bald eagle, atop a white pine close to the confluence of the East Branch and Seboeis Rivers, scanned for the silver flash of a fish across the water. The eagle’s vantage also included the forested top of Lookout Mountain, where Tekαkαpimək Contact Station now sits. Invisible from the river, folks from nearby towns, across Maine, New England, and beyond came together to celebrate the accomplishment of a remarkable building and the relationships it represents.
Fish and eagles, grasses and trees, mosquitoes and dragonflies play their important roles in the nature of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, and right now our responsibility to care for all these relationships has never been more important. Tekαkαpimək Contact Station helps us understand this through a Wabanaki worldview, significantly deepening our knowledge, understanding, and connection to this special place.
Near the end of my long career with the National Park Service in 2016, I had the privilege of contributing to the eventual establishment of KWWNM as a unit of the National Park System. Today, post-retirement, I am almost as busy and just as committed to furthering the success of the monument as the board chair of Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters. I can see clearly that we are at a critical juncture. Tekαkαpimək Contact Station and the woods and waters it celebrates must be fully supported for the future.
And that is why I’m making my largest contribution yet to Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters. Today, I invite you to join me.
I am inspired more than ever by what is happening right here in northern Maine’s Katahdin region. We are immersed in community-based efforts to establish a public access route from Millinocket, impactful educational work of the Katahdin Learning Project, and essential relationship-building with the Penobscot and other Wabanaki Nations. With the construction of Tekαkαpimək Contact Station completed, it is time to support our NPS partners in many projects to improve the visitor experience and assure the best management of the monument’s natural and cultural resources. Believe me, there is much to do! Come, be part of it, as we stand up and steward this unit of the National Park System, honoring and inspiring all generations, past, present, and future, “as far as one can see.”
No gift is too small. Your donation will ensure the preservation of these woods and waters and the telling of their stories, from the salmon swimming in the East Branch to the ancestors who are part of the landscape.
Yours Truly,
Molly Ross, President, Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters Board of Directors
PS: Help us jump-start our annual appeal – click to make a secure online donation. Your gift makes it possible!
Posted: September 10, 2024 by Elise Goplerud
Eleventh Annual Stars Over Katahdin Event Returns September 28
Patten, ME – Registration is now open for the 11th Annual Stars Over Katahdin, presented by Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters on Saturday, September 28th. The event celebrates the darkest skies east of the Mississippi River with opportunities to explore the night sky guided by expert astronomers, state-of-the-art telescopes, and National Park Service Night Sky Rangers. With activities running from 4 PM until 9 pm at the Lumbermen’s Museum, attendees will also have the chance to visit education booths and participate in campfire chats.
“For eleven years, some of those before the monument was established, volunteers and community members have been highlighting these exceptional dark skies at the Stars Over Katahdin event,” said Kala Rush, Education Director. “Thanks to our community and this event, we now have an International attraction that uplifts a local wonder and every year brings people to the Katahdin Region.”
The free event is made possible by Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters (FKWW) and its sponsors, including Richardson’s Hardware and Maine Beer Company. FKWW is an official philanthropic partner to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. In 2020, the Monument was designated an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, only the second such designation within the National Park Service and the first in Maine and New England.
Food will be available for purchase onsite. The Lumbermen’s Museum is located at 61 Shin Pond Rd, Patten.
More information and registration is available at friendsofkww.org/stars/ and high resolution photography is available upon request.
Posted: August 5, 2024 by Elise Goplerud
8th Annual Woods and Waters Day and Unveiling of Tekαkαpimək Contact Station Planned for August 17th
Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters will host the events celebrating the future of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
Patten, Maine – Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters will host a series of celebratory events marking a new era for Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in August.
Tekαkαpimək Contact Station is in the final stages of construction, and visitors will have the opportunity for a first look at the remarkable building and 23 acre site over the course of the weekend. Registration is required, with visitation planned for 2pm to 5pm on August 17th and 10am to 4pm on August 18th. Those who sign up will receive details and directions via email.
Woods and Waters Day is an annual celebration sponsored by Maine Beer Company and Richardson’s Hardware marking the anniversary of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Held at New England Outdoor Center / Ktaadn Resorts on August 17th at 5pm, the event will include a silent auction and raffle, delicious food, Maine Beer Company on tap, and live music from the Fogtown Family Band – under the tent on the shores of Millinocket Lake. Tickets are $40 and currently have limited availability.
Registration and information for both events can be found at friendsofkww.org/
Molly Ross, Board President for Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters, says, “This is an important weekend for the Katahdin region, as we celebrate new ways of seeing, understanding, and working together to preserve and enjoy our woods and waters. We have planned the weekend with the hope that our guests and visitors, new and returning, will have a fun, meaningful, and memorable experience.”
Information on the history and partnerships behind Tekαkαpimək Contact Station is provided below. For media inquiries, please contact Brian Hinrichs.
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MEDIA LINKS:
SUMMARY:
Tekαkαpimək Contact Station is a stunning 7,900 square-foot building and 23-acre site atop Lookout Mountain created to welcome the global public to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. The monument is located within the present and traditional homeland of the Penobscot Nation. The land and waters hold special significance to the Penobscot Nation and is inextricably linked with Penobscot culture, ceremonies, oral traditions, language, history, and Indigenous stewardship which continues the respectful relationship with the land and waterways that has gone back more than 11,000 years. Katahdin is a culturally significant place to the Wabanaki people where connecting watersheds provide important travel routes for Wabanaki people of Maine, comprised of Maliseet, Mi’kmaq, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot Nations.
Tekαkαpimək is a Penobscot language word for “as far as one can see”, pronounced deh gah-gah bee mook. Architectural, landscape and exhibition designs for Tekαkαpimək resulted from a process between Elliotsville Foundation, representatives of the Wabanaki Nations, Saunders Architecture, Reed Hilderbrand Landscape Architecture, WeShouldDoItAll, Tuhura Communications, Erin Hutton Projects, and the National Park Service. The design process began in 2019 and construction will be completed in 2024, with public hours to be announced. Early visitation opportunities have been organized for August 17th and 18th, 2024.
Tekαkαpimək’s waysides and exhibits orient visitors to the monument, inspiring them to experience Katahdin Woods and Waters from its peaks, trails, and rivers to its ever-changing foliage, brilliant night sky, and abundant wildlife. Interpretation is through a Wabanaki lens in a contemporary context, honoring the past and showing vibrant communities moving sustainably into the future. All Wabanaki Cultural Knowledge and Intellectual Property shared within this project is owned by the Wabanaki Nations – the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, Mi’kmaq Nation, Passamaquoddy Tribe, and Penobscot Nation.
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument spans 87,563 acres in north-central Maine. Tekαkαpimək lies at its southeastern corner. The contact station building features vistas across the expanse of the monument to Katahdin and up the East Branch of the Penobscot River while hidden from paddlers below. An eastern lookout and gathering circle allow visitors to greet the day’s first light, reflecting traditions of the “People of the Dawn” and providing views to all Wabanaki homelands. Handicapped parking and pedestrian routes throughout the site are designed to make areas accessible.
State-of-the-art green technology in the building demonstrates a significantly reduced carbon footprint relative to other buildings of its scale. Tekαkαpimək utilizes local materials in every possible instance, is fully off-grid, solar and thermal powered, and maximizes passive design strategies for heating and cooling. Innovative use of nominal lumber casts a light on the emerging sustainable bio-economy.
Funded through a capital campaign by Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters, Tekαkαpimək will be donated to the American people and operated by the National Park Service. Lead philanthropic support comes from Elliotsville Foundation, the Roxanne Quimby Foundation, Burt’s Bees, National Park Foundation, L.L. Bean, NorthLight Foundation, and an Anonymous supporter, among many other generous contributors.
Posted: July 24, 2024 by Sarah Andre
Screen⛺Time- July eNewsletter
Camping season, youth adventures, Woods & Waters Day, NPS Director’s Awards, and more…
The warm days and long evenings are perfect for exploring the landscapes of Katahdin Woods and Waters. Whether you’re hitting the trails, paddling the waterways, or simply enjoying the serenity of the woods, we hope you find inspiration and joy in these summer months. Thank you for being a part of our community and for your continued dedication to the preservation and celebration of Katahdin Woods and Waters.
As we dive into the heart of summer, we are thrilled to bring you the latest updates from our vibrant Friends community. And if you find yourself sleeping in the monument on a clear night, consider pulling the rain fly off your tent to enjoy the cool breezes and stellar views.
Priority Park Progress
Last year, you heard from Friends about the A Monumental Welcome campaign. The campaign is funding a variety of efforts to improve and enhance the visitor experience in the monument, and we’re excited to begin sharing campaign success stories with you as these projects get underway.
Next in the spotlight, we are pleased to share that Friends will be supporting a General Management Plan (GMP) for the National Park Service (NPS) at Katahdin Woods and Waters. A GMP is a long-term strategic plan that NPS is required to create for each unit of the National Park System. The plan guides the management and use of park lands for the next 15–20 years, and is updated as conditions change. The feedback from the public from these early meetings is helping to bridge that work to the work in the GMP. The GMP’s primary purpose is to protect park resources while providing meaningful visitor experiences. The planning process will have an extensive public process to capture visitor feedback – stay tuned for how you can participate!
Friends’ News
Woods & Waters Day is August 17th! You’ve heard by now about the extraordinary weekend we have planned to celebrate Tekαkαpimək and Woods and Waters Day this August. But we’re so excited about what we have planned we’re going to keep reminding you! Delicious buffet dinner at the award-winning Ktaadn Resorts/New England Outdoor Center, funky, get-up-and-dance live music performed by the Fogtown Family Band, and the opportunity to win amazing prizes donated by artists, outdoor outfitters, Maine businesses, and more. If you haven’t RSVPd to get a first look at Tekαkαpimək (free, but registration is required) or purchased your tickets for our Woods and Waters Day Celebration, what are you waiting for? Click here, and keep in mind that you must register for each event separately.
Teacher Camp
Across the nation, educators are finding that rooting their educational programming deeply in the local community, both physically and thematically, is an effective strategy for achieving many of their highest priority goals.
In schools, neighborhoods, forests, and parks, when students are studying and responsibly addressing relevant local issues the results can be increased engagement, stronger community support for education and conservation, and a renewed pride of place.
Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters presents Teacher Camp annually as a professional development opportunity and a supportive gathering that helps educators add relevancy to their instruction to enrich their school communities. A fresh theme is developed each year in response to teachers’ needs.
On June 25th, Friends’ 2024 Teacher Camp focused on Community Science! Participants enjoyed presentations and hands-on activities from Elise Goplerud (Friends of KWW), Crystal Lewis (Katahdin Woods & Waters NM) and Lauren Ouellette (Maine Forest Service).
Katahdin Learning Project
Friends believes that when you’re a kid, summer is best outside–on trails, bikes, and on the water. That’s exactly what the Katahdin Learning Project aims to support this summer. With our Katahdin Region Outdoor Collective (KROC) collaborators, we co-led a day hike to Gulf Hagas, introduced paddle sports, and organized a 3-day overnight hiking trip in Katahdin Woods and Waters! July will bring more great adventures; including biking, canoeing, and additional overnights.
To keep up with demand we added several more ongoing KROC programs!
These special programs stay local and families need only fill out the waiver once to participate in any/all of them. KROC programs are open to youth in grades 6-12. Learn more and sign up here.
Thank you to the Maine Department of Education for the generous grant that helps us keep these programs free for participants. *
Behind the Signs
Congratulations to KAWW leadership for receiving two Director’s Awards for Natural and Cultural Resources! These awards recognize employees who go above and beyond to solve problems or create new opportunities with creative thinking and action.
Superintendent Mark Wimmer is the winner of the Director’s Award for Excellence in Cultural Resource Management & Stewardship for his leadership and commitment to developing trust and strong relationships between KAWW and the federally recognized Tribes in Maine by working to protect Tribal interests and further nation-to-nation relationships with Indigenous partners.
Facility Manager Christopher (Dewey) Loft received the Director’s Award for Excellence in Natural Resource Management in Maintenance. By working with the Monument’s Interdisciplinary team, Tribes, and state partners to develop bridge and culvert improvement projects, Dewey has been instrumental in improving infrastructure for fish passage for endangered Atlantic salmon.
Ripple Effect – News and notes from the Katahdin region, the Friends community, and beyond
Sponsor Spotlight
Thank you to our Lookout level sponsor Haley Ward, a 100% employee-owned technical consulting firm headquartered in Bangor. Haley Ward has been a crucial part of the Tekαkαpimək construction team and a longtime supporter of Friends!
And thank you to NEMO Equipment for their Deasey level sponsorship! NEMO is a New England company committed to innovation, sustainability, and making the outdoors accessible to all–we even caught the team camping out in the monument recently!
Sponsors provide crucial funding that supports Friends mission and work. To learn more about becoming sponsor in 2024, visit friendsofkww.org/sponsorship or contact sarah@friendsofkww.org.
—This blog post was adapted from an email sent on July 23, 2024. Sign up for our email list at friendsofkww.org/signup
*American Rescue Plan Act GEER, Reverted EANS Funding received from the USDOE support the implementation of this project. The project has an award totaling $6.6 million dollars of which 100% is federally funded and directly attributed to project implementation. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by the USDOE or the U.S. Government. The USDOE provided the Katahdin Learning Project (KLP) with $105,876.19, 42% of KLP’s annual budget, to support grade 6-12 programming. This grant finances 100% of grade 6-12 programming March-September 2024.
Posted: June 21, 2024 by Sarah Andre
Dirt Road Destinations – June eNews
Summer events, family getaways, youth adventures, signs to get you there, and more…
We are excited to share that registration is now open for our annual summer celebration, Woods & Waters Day! You are invited to join us on the evening of Saturday, August 17th at Ktaadn Resorts New England Outdoor Center in Millinocket. This year’s celebration honors the many accomplishments achieved by this community in just eight years since the designation of Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument. Among the highlights is Tekαkαpimək Contact Station, now poised to usher in the next era of visitation to the Katahdin region. Tickets and a whole lot more information can be found here!
But don’t wait until August to visit if you can help it. Early summer is a wonderful time for paddling the East Branch of the Penobscot, a weekend camping getaway, or a gravel bike tour. Sure, the mosquitos are biting, but so are the fish. The roads are dusty, but they connect your family and friends to coldwater streams, lush green canopies, possible moose sightings, and each other.
Read on for stories about the Katahdin Learning Project’s enrichment programs in local schools, new signage coming to the monument, news from the National Park Service, and more.
Priority Park Progress
Last year, you heard from Friends about the A Monumental Welcome campaign. The campaign is
funding a variety of efforts to improve and enhance the visitor experience in the monument, and we’re excited to begin sharing campaign success stories with you as these projects get underway.
The next project we want to highlight is a new signage and wayfinding plan! This project includes an assessment of existing park signage and then a comprehensive master wayfinding plan to identify the need and location for additional signage at KAWW. The master plan will include a layout of all new/replacement signs, fabrication details, and locations. Funds granted by Friends will also cover the purchase and installation of the new/replacement signs.
Friends’ News
We sent our Spring Membership Appeal letters at the beginning of June. Many of you have responded generously with donations of all sizes – thank you!! Membership support makes nearly everything we do possible now, and better in the future. If you can, we hope you’ll take just a few moments to send your support today.
The end of the school year is a busy time for teachers, students, parents, and Friends’ place-based education program Katahdin Learning Project! As school-based programming finished, staff shifted to training summer staff. A recent high point was kayaking Millinocket Stream with high school students from Houlton and Millinocket. Skowhegan Outdoors and the Millinocket X-Stream Race helped make this excursion possible – thank you!
KLP recently celebrated the conclusion of a pilot program. Students at Stearns High School in Millinocket with qualifying grades can opt in to “enrichment time,” with choices such as going to the library or gym. This spring, for the first time, they also had the option to join Outside Enrichment with the Katahdin Learning Project. Students were surveyed in March to discover their interests, which led to activities ranging from archery to outdoor cooking to discussions on wilderness ethics. Student feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and when asked if we should continue next year, the response was, “Yes, but more!” We recently bid a fond farewell to spring Seasonal Educator Ronan, who showed us that a deep personal passion for the outdoor world is truly contagious.
Attention Katahdin Region middle and high school students – only a few spots remain in our Summer Adventure Series! These free experiences are funded through the Maine Department of Education’s Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative (MOLI) to provide Maine students with hands-on, outdoor learning experiences this summer.
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 new Lookout sponsor Versant Power. Contributing both time and funding to nonprofits in its service area, Versant supports many local organizations and initiatives. We are proud to have you as a Friend!
And thank you to Bangor Savings Bank for supporting Friends as a Deasey sponsor! Your commitment to community is making a difference for the monument and region.
Sponsors provide crucial funding that supports Friends’ mission and work. To learn more about becoming a sponsor in 2024, visit friendsofkww.org/sponsorship or contact sarah@friendsofkww.org.
—This blog post was adapted from an email sent on June 21, 2024. Sign up for our email list at friendsofkww.org/signup
Posted: May 15, 2024 by Sarah Andre
Love Katahdin Woods & Waters? Join Friends!
A letter from board member Matt Polstein, President & Founder of Ktaadn Resorts (home of New England Outdoor Center), and Maine’s Small Business Owner of the Year! Thank you for all you do, Matt!
Dear Friends,
2024 is shaping up to be a BIG year for Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument–and there has never been a better time to become a Friend than right now, during our annual spring Membership Appeal!
My story: I moved to the state and became a Registered Maine Guide in 1981. I fell in love with the Katahdin Region and invested in building a business based on outdoor recreation here in Millinocket almost 30 years ago. From rafting trips to a campground, snowmobile and ski trails, luxury cabin rentals, a brewery and events center…time flies!
Today, I want to thank you for caring and encourage you to become a member of Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters.
Did you know? Membership supports all of the following:
Since 2016, we enjoy more hiking trails and better fishing in trout streams on monument land today, thanks to the persistence and generosity of those who believed. Because of folks like you, the next generation will find these woods and waters better than we did, and learn a more complete story of the land. On August 17th, Tekαkαpimək Contact Station will open to the public. Unlike any welcome center in our national parks system, the building and natural landscape atop Lookout Mountain will invite the public to experience and learn through the lens of a Wabanaki world view.
Please join me and invest in nature, community, and the stewards of tomorrow. The level of support is up to you—what matters is our shared voice.
See you on the trail,
Matt Polstein
Posted: May 14, 2024 by Sarah Andre
A Forest Chorus – May eNewsletter
Road improvements, youth building community, member meet-ups, summer camping reservations open, and more…
Cue the sounds of spring in the monument: the passionate chirps and trills of the chickadees, raucous choir of spring peepers, deep thrums of the grouse, and many more. Surrounded by the excitement of amphibian and avian courtship sounds, we humans find spring to be a time of inspiration and energy as well. What are the sounds and activities that you look forward to each May?
While we hope you have plans to visit the monument soon, don’t forget that Friends is on the road for our Membership May events – happening at our favorite brewpubs around the state.
We are humbled by the amazing community of people who partner with us and impact our work. We have exciting news to share from NPS, and this month’s Ripple Effect is chock full of inspirational articles, profiles, and events that you won’t want to miss.
Priority Park Progress
Last year, you heard from Friends about the “A Monumental Welcome” campaign. The campaign is funding a variety of efforts to improve and enhance the visitor experience in the monument, and we’re excited to begin sharing campaign success stories with you as we enter 2024 and these projects get underway.
Roads are always a hot topic in the monument. We at Friends are proud to share that we’ve granted $205,000 to NPS for road work in FY24 and FY25. This funding will be utilized to grade, brush, and ditch visitor use roads, particularly in the South. NPS will be renting a grader, as well as purchasing materials and hiring staff to re-deck bridges, repair culverts, fill potholes, and address storm damage. As we talk about roads, as a reminder, please always be on the lookout for logging trucks and practice safe driving in the monument. We hope you enjoy smooth
sailingdriving in 2024!Friends News
Katahdin Learning Project – Friends education staff are still beaming after a wonderful week of bringing nature and community together for our third annual (still free!) April Vacation Camp in Millinocket. During the week, Vacation Campers learned…
Education Coordinator Elise emphasizes that camp teaches lessons beyond the programmed instruction. Children realized that they had a voice in environmental action. Others felt like they belonged to a community that accepts and will listen to them with empathy. Several kids simply discovered that the outdoors is a wonderful place to be. The middle and high school volunteers found out what it means to be a good role model and the satisfaction of helping others. For a few local students this was their third consecutive year of Vacation Camp! We’re grateful to be a positive part of these kids’ lives. Thank you to KAWW Ranger Crystal Lewis who taught a wildlife lesson about salmon and helped campers become Junior Rangers. This program happens in collaboration with Outdoor Sport Institute, Katahdin Gear Library, and Millinocket Memorial Library. We had additional support from Our Katahdin, Katahdin Collaborative, and Northern Penobscot Activities Council, and of course, YOU, our members!
Monument Access Bill Introduced – Last week, Senator Angus S. King, Jr. introduced a new Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act to help more people access the Monument via a southern route from Millinocket on portions of the Stacyville, Huber, and Roberts roads. This legislation is markedly different from the Access Act introduced last Congress, incorporating important local feedback. We are pleased to see extensive support from the Millinocket business community and the Penobscot Nation. Friends of KWW executive director Brian Hinrichs says, “Access through Millinocket will bring economic benefits to local businesses and convenience to visitors looking to explore more of the Katahdin region. We’re excited to see progress on this critical legislation and look forward to supporting its passage.” The official press release includes more detail, including links to a map and the full legislation.
News from the National Park Service and Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument
NPS Trivia – Q: What is a “unigrid?” A: The NPS-standard fold-out brochure that you’ll find at kiosks and visitor contact stations at many National Parks, Monuments, and Historic Sites–and now, Katahdin Woods and Waters! (Psst, Friends will have KAWW Unigrids available at our member meet-ups.)
Ripple Effect
News and notes from the Katahdin region, the Friends community, and beyond
Sponsor Spotlight
Thank you to our Lookout level sponsor Down East Magazine! Delivering the best of Maine, including the Katahdin region, year-round. Check out the Great Maine Scavenger Hunt, in the June issue on newsstands now!
Sponsors provide crucial funding that supports Friends mission and work. To learn more about becoming sponsor in 2024, visit friendsofkww.org/sponsorship or contact sarah@friendsofkww.org.
—This blog post was adapted from an email sent on May 10, 2024. Sign up for our email list at friendsofkww.org/signup
Posted: April 5, 2024 by Sarah Andre
Step into Spring – April eNewsletter
Winter melts into spring, lynx kittens, outdoor skills fun, Friends’ upcoming events, and more…
Some seasonal transitions occur over the lapsing of days or weeks, as with the gentle warming of soil in late May or the buildup of goldenrod fluff on our sweaters after several fall hikes. Other times, nature throws out a plot twist. After a historically low snow year, the Katahdin region received up to 30 inches of fresh snow at the end of March! A brief late season gift to skiers and snowshoers, the fresh powder began succumbing to strong sunshine and then rain almost immediately. It may look like winter on the ground, but it sounds like spring: drip, drip, squish, squelch. Maine’s infamous Mud Season will be in force soon.
In light of the very seasonal wetness, please heed the advice of national, state, and local authorities and take safety precautions if you are traveling to view the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8th. Find the latest statewide information on the VisitMaine Solar Eclipse page. The National Park Service Rangers will be at family-friendly events all eclipse weekend around the region. Find details at the KAWW Eclipse page and listed below.
Looking a little further ahead, we have several exciting dates to announce! Find dates below and plan to join us for a casual member “meet and greet” at a pub near you–and mark your calendar for August 17th for the Grand Opening of Tekαkαpimək Contact Station and Woods and Waters Day!
Also this month, in Priority Park Progress we highlight an important scientific project funded by the A Monumental Welcome capital campaign and share news from the Katahdin Learning Project. Don’t miss Behind the Signs for updates and happenings direct from the park service at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, or Ripple Effect, a curated selection of notes from the Katahdin region and greater conservation community.
Priority Park Progress
Last year, you heard from Friends about the A Monumental Welcome campaign. The campaign is funding a variety of efforts to improve and enhance the visitor experience in the monument, and we’re excited to begin sharing campaign success stories with you as we enter 2024 and these projects get underway.
This month, we’re spotlighting species inventory projects funded by Friends and its donors. As an emerging NPS unit, Katahdin Woods and Waters is not supported by the Inventory & Monitoring program. Existing estimates on wildlife species is informed by hunting permits and casual observations by visitors and park staff. In 2024 and 2025, Friends’ funding for Priority Park Projects includes evaluating the presence of threatened Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) and other wildlife species to comply with federal regulations, protect species, and avoid hazards. Friends will also be funding inventory studies of the northern bog lemming (Synaptomys borealis). Northern bog lemmings are listed in Maine as a state-threatened species with potential to be listed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Although rare, the lemmings have been detected in neighboring Baxter State Park. With more survey areas, it is anticipated that the monument also provides bog lemming habitat.
Friends News –
Mark your calendars now for these upcoming events, and stay tuned for updates in your inbox, social media feeds, and at friendsofkww.org!
Friends’ “Membership May” Meet & Greet Series – Join staff, board, and volunteers at a brewpub near you for a casual opportunity to meet members, ask questions, and get a sneak peek at our fresh strategic plan. (The pizza is on us!)
Thursday, May 9th – 5:30-6:30 p.m. Virtual, Zoom
Tuesday, May 14th – 4-6 p.m. Knife Edge Brewing Co, Millinocket
Tuesday, May 21st – 12-1:30 p.m. Mason’s Brewing Company, Brewer
Tuesday, May 28th – 4-6 p.m Maine Beer Company, Freeport
Teacher Camp – Educators of all types are invited to join us for a day
of learning and connecting on Tuesday, June 24th in Patten. For more information, contact klp@friendsofkww.org.
Grand Opening of Tekαkαpimək Contact Station and Woods and Waters Day – Tekαkαpimək Contact Station will open to the public the weekend of August 17 & 18, with a special Woods & Waters Day celebration the night of August 17th at Ktaadn Resorts (New England Outdoor Center) in Millinocket. More details to follow!
Immersive Outdoor Learning
Friends’ place-based education program, the Katahdin Learning Project, is growing! In March we welcomed Ronan, our spring seasonal Place-Based Educator. Ronan will work with KLP until the end of the school year teaching outdoor enrichment lessons in the Millinocket middle and high schools. Outdoor enrichment periods are a new student-driven program made possible with funding from the Maine Outdoor Learning Inititiave*, allowing learners to dictate the topics they’re passionate about. With Ronan at the helm, we’re excited to see the creativity and curiosity unfold! He will also assist with the planning and delivery of April Vacation Camp and other programs across the region.
Earlier in March, KLP led a visit to the University of Maine for 24 high school outdoor education students. Linking up with Maine Bound Adventure Center for a kayak roll clinic, students learned how to roll a whitewater kayak and perform a canoe “t rescue”–essential skills for exploring the waterways in the Katahdin region. PLUS students got an inside look at campus life with a university tour!
Attention locals: we are planning another UMaine visit, and this time, we’re going rock climbing! The trip takes off after school lets out for a half day on May 10th and is open to any 6th -12th grade student in the Katahdin region. For more information and to register (plus a sneak peek of summer programs) visit: friendsofkww/org/Katahdin-region-outdoor-collective
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
It’s the start of a new sponsorship year! We are so excited to spend the next twelve months introducing you to our corporate supporters: businesses who make their values part of the bottom line.
Always the first to say YES each year to our Katahdin level sponsorship, we are beyond grateful for Richardson’s Hardware. This 4th generation run business has grown significantly from its 1948 establishment in Patten, Maine to today. When locals get the itch for spring gardening, we’ll escape to Richardson’s greenhouse across the road!
Sponsors provide crucial funding that supports Friends mission and work. To learn more, visit friendsofkww.org/sponsorship or contact sarah@friendsofkww.org.
—This blog post was adapted from an email sent on April 3rd, 2024. Sign up for our email list at friendsofkww.org/signup
Posted: March 6, 2024 by Sarah Andre
Frozen Fun – Late Winter eNewsletter
Eclipse excitement, cross-country ski report, Vacation Camp, park projects, and more…
The Katahdin Region and northern Maine are buzzing with preparations as a rare astronomical event approaches on April 8th. Katahdin Region communities are on the solar eclipse “path of totality,” meaning viewers will see the moon cover the entirety of the sun except for the corona, or sun’s atmosphere.
Take care, though! April is not peak season in our region for some good reasons. For those planning to travel to Maine for this very special experience, it will be crucial to follow the well-worn advice of “know before you go.” At Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, the North Entrance Road and Katahdin View Loop Road will remain closed for the winter season, and others may be unsafe depending on weather conditions. Start with visitmaine.com’s eclipse page to learn where and how to safely view the eclipse–some local towns have big plans and can’t wait to welcome you.
Read on to learn about plans from the National Park Service to greet monument visitors on the Swift Brook Road this summer. We share highlights from our February break Vacation Camp and Brian’s trip Washington, D.C. Visit the Friends blog for my notes from a two-day tour of groomed cross-country ski trails in the region from north to south, starting with our staff outing at the north gate entrance pictured above.
Priority Park Progres
Last year, you heard from Friends about the Monumental Welcome campaign. The campaign is funding a variety of efforts to improve and enhance the visitor experience in the monument, and we’re excited to begin sharing campaign success stories with you as we enter 2024 and these projects get underway.
We all know the drive along Swift Brook Road to the start of Loop Road can be long and if it’s your first time, somewhat confusing. The Hunt Farm parcel of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument affords a great stopping place along the way to stretch your legs and get oriented, but little infrastructure has been available. A new project aims to change that by constructing a parking area for approximately 10 vehicles off the Swift Brook Road and by providing a vault toilet and information kiosk. With increased visitation expected in coming years, this new area will offer clarity to visitors embarking on their journey into the monument.
Friends News
February Vacation Camp Connects Youth, Nature, & Community – Last week, the Katahdin Learning Project facilitated our 3rd February Vacation Camp, a free, four-day program for local elementary grade youth. Camp goals are to deepen relationships with the outdoors, spark pride in the Katahdin region, and foster a sense of stewardship for natural places. So many campers returned from 2023 that lessons built off last year’s themes to delve into more complex topics such as public lands and protecting wildlife–while having a lot of fun. We were especially excited towelcome Ranger Crystal from Katahdin Woods & Waters NM to lead some programs.
Since the first Vacation Camp, educators have seen participants’ comfort in the outdoors, understanding of land stewardship, pride in their community, and knowledge of natural resources grow. However, what happens with these students after they “age out” of Vacation Camp? We knew there was an opportunity to continue making connections, so a Youth Ambassador and Leadership program was born! Middle and high school students from the Katahdin region can now continue to attend vacation camp in volunteer roles. These young volunteers went through an application process, interviews, and attended training – all valuable first experiences. They even had the opportunity to meet rangers from Baxter State Park and the National Park Service to learn about careers in the field.
Thank you to our partners for their help with the planning and facilitation: Katahdin Gear Library, Millinocket Memorial Library, Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument, and Outdoor Sport Institute. Community supporters help camp stay free and accessible: Syntiro, Our Katahdin, Katahdin Collaborative, Millinocket Elks Club, and Northern Forest Center.
Friends goes to Washington – On February 7th, Executive Director Brian Hinrichs and board member Lucas St. Clair represented Friends in visits with Maine’s delegation for NPF Hill Day. “It was a chance to thank our senators and representatives for supporting appropriations to NPF and for supporting the Great American Outdoors Act, both of which are having direct impact in Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. These are dollars spent locally to the benefit of all visitors, and we are grateful!”
Pictured above from left: David Ellwood, PhD (Schoodic Institute), Veronica Torres (Friends of Acadia), Sarah Unz (National Park Foundation), Eric Stiles (Friends of Acadia), Kevin Schneider (Acadia National Park), Lucas St. Clair (Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters), Senator Angus King Jr., Nick Fisichelli, PhD (Schoodic Institute), Will Shafroth (National Park Foundation), Brian Hinrichs (Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters), Elizabeth Hersh-Tucker (National Park Foundation).
Share your thoughts – Strategic planning continues this winter with the expert guidance of Solid Ground Consulting. Friends’ staff and board as well as NPS have been working through big questions to guide our future. Now, we want to hear from you!
Click here to complete a short survey!
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 Lookout sponsor National Parks Conservation Association! NPCA is a tireless advocate for our national parks, historic sites, and monuments. Thank you for your work and support of Friends.
And thank you to New York Puzzle Company for their Deasey sponsorship! Thanks for putting 1% for the Planet to work with Friends!
Sponsors provide crucial funding that supports Friends mission and work. Are you ready to join us in 2024? Visit friendsofkww.org/sponsorship or contact sarah@friendsofkww.org.
—This blog post was adapted from an email sent on February 29, 2024. Sign up for our email list at friendsofkww.org/signup
Posted: March 4, 2024 by Elise Goplerud
Place-Based Educator Job Announcement