FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, July 21, 2021
CONTACT:
Andrew Bossie, Executive Director
Email: andrew@friendsofkww.org
Office: 207-808-0020
Camping at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Expanded and Improved with Philanthropy
Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters, National Park Foundation, and L.L.Bean host official opening of seven new tent sites near Lunksoos Camps on July 21st
Patten, Maine – Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters (“Friends”), the official philanthropic partner to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, unveiled seven new overnight tent sites near the historic Lunksoos Camps on the East Branch of the Penobscot River today. The campground is the first major infrastructure project completed by the Friends, demonstrating the power of the park-supporter community to stand up these public lands nearly five years after they were gifted to the National Park Service (“NPS”) in 2016 by philanthropist Roxanne Quimby through the National Park Foundation.
“Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument was born from an act of philanthropy,” said Andrew Bossie, Friends’ Executive Director, “and we are proud to continue that legacy and improve our parks facilities with our partners at L.L.Bean, the National Park Foundation, the Roxanne Quimby Foundation, and our many members in the community, region, and country. We’ve heard from our members and the visiting public that more overnight camping options are a top desire in the national monument and now we have them.”
The improved camping area includes two group sites and five single-party sites that will be available immediately for public use. Accessible by road and river, the campground was built to NPS standards for walk-in sites and features ADA toilet facilities, one ADA-compliant site, and connecting trails. Campers will find level, well drained sites equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, and bear-proof food storage boxes. Group sites have wood tent platforms nestled into a wooded slope.
“These sites will welcome visitors with tent sites that are accessible by vehicle or boats without feeling crowded and are specifically designed for tent camping with some privacy. This project more than doubles the number of campsites available via monument roads,” said Tim Hudson, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Superintendent. “It is a milestone for the monument and our partnership with the Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters.”
The tent sites at Lunksoos were made possible by three $50,000 grants from L.L.Bean, the Roxanne Quimby Foundation, and the National Park Foundation, as well as support from individual and business members of Friends. The National Park Foundation was able to further leverage the investment made by L.L.Bean by matching this donation with federally appropriated dollars.
At a ceremony at the new tent sites supporters made comments about their involvement and expressed excitement about the future of the monument. “L.L.Bean’s purpose is to enable everyone to experience the restorative power of time spent outside, and these new camping sites will offer a quality outdoor experience in a carefully designed space that honors and preserves its natural beauty and history,” said Shawn Gorman, Executive Chairman of the Board. “We are honored to partner with Katahdin Woods and Waters in this project and to celebrate the opening of the new tent sites this summer,” Gorman added.
National Park Foundation President and CEO Will Shafroth discussed how partnerships are making our national parks stronger in the 21st century. “This team effort demonstrates how partnerships can improve the visitor experience in parks like Katahdin Woods and Waters. These new tent sites are opening up access to more people, expanding the recreational opportunities, and supporting the communities that surround this treasured landscape,” said Shafroth. “With support from generous and inspirational visionaries like Roxanne Quimby and her family, private philanthropy truly enhances the park experience for all,” he continued.
Lucas St. Clair, son of philanthropist and Burt’s Bee’s co-founder Roxanne Quimby that donated the lands to create the monument, remarked about the growing community of supporters rallying for the national monument. “We are just so pleased to have diverse groups of donors and volunteers helping advance this landscape through their contributions of time, talent, and treasure.”
“We are thrilled to partner with these generous donors and our members to add a margin of excellence beyond what public funds alone can do for our national monument,” continued Bossie. “Welcoming student groups, families, and campers of all ages is a shared goal of Friends, the NPS, and our diverse community of supporters.”
The land presently known as Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and at Lunksoos Camps is steeped in history and present-day culture. The monument is traditional territory of the Penobscot Nation and a crossroads sacred to the Wabanaki Nations, including the Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot; Wabanaki Nations know this area as a center of connecting watersheds and important travel routes. Together with nearby Katahdin, this landscape continues to be a place for social and spiritual connection. Lunksoos was a sporting camp for much of the last two centuries and is known by many Mainers as the terminus of 12-year-old Donn Fendler’s arduous 9-day journey from Katahdin while “lost on a mountain in Maine” in 1939. Recently popular as a put-in for day and overnight paddle treks, campers pitched their tents at a single site near the boat launch in the past. The new sites will move camping away from the busy boat launch, protect natural resources, and accommodate more visitors at one of the most important hubs for recreators in the national monument.
Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters is a non-profit 501c3 membership organization made up of individuals who are committed to working alongside the National Park Service to help protect, preserve and promote all that is special about Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. The official philanthropic partner to the national monument Friends celebrates other recent achievements: in 2020, the monument was designated as the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary on the eastern seaboard, and in May of this year, the NPS released its economic impact report indicating the national monument KAWW supported 38 jobs and contributed $3.3m to the local economy. 2021 marks 5 years since President Barack Obama’s proclamation establishing Katahdin Woods and Waters (“KAWW”) as a national monument. Despite its rustic amenities and rough dirt roads, more visitors come each year: according to an NPS report published this spring, 41,000 people visited KAWW in 2020, which Hudson says was a 10% increase over 2019.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION
The National Park Foundation works to protect wildlife and park lands, preserve history and culture, educate and engage youth, and connect people everywhere to the wonder of parks. We do it in collaboration with the National Park Service, the park partner community, and with the generous support of donors, without whom our work would not be possible. Learn more at nationalparks.org.
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What’s New
Posted: January 6, 2022 by Sarah Andre
January eNewsletter
Happy New Year to you and yours! As 2022 begins, we make an important transition together. This Weds, Jan 5th we will be hosting the 12th webinar in the New Moon Teachings series. While this will be the last webinar, we invite you to join us as we gather one more time and consider how our learning will continue into 2022 and beyond.
αkəlo-ssaməwehsit-kisohs, “Moon that provides little- food grudgingly” drum painting by James E. Francis, Sr., Director of Cultural and Historic Preservation, Penobscot Nation
New Moon Teachings: Please join us for New Moon Teachings on Weds, Jan 5th from 5 to 6:30 PM EST. This month’s New Moon Teachings will wrap up the webinar series with teachings from Dr. Imelda Perley Opolahsomuwehs (University of New Brunswick from the Maliseet First Nation). She will be joined for the Q & A and moments of reflection by Suzanne Greenlaw (doctoral candidate at U Maine from the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians) and Andrew Bossie (Executive Director of Friends). To RSVP for New Moon Teachings, please visit our website.
Snowshoeing and Winter #AllInKatahdin: While we’re awaiting a bit more snow for grooming to make XC skiing and snowmobiling happen, now is a great time to snowshoe. The Seboeis River Trail near the north entrance to the park is a newly improved trail in the area and a wonderful place to snowshoe. You can preview the trail with photos posted here on our Facebook. For other ideas about ways to enjoy winter fun, check out the Winter #AllInKatahdin Guide (compiled with over 250 survey replies about the best things to do in the region during the snowy months).
Adventure Fridays with Katahdin Learning Project: Adventure Fridays will be in full swing in January. During Adventure Fridays, Katahdin Learning Project staff travels to Katahdin Elementary weekly for place-based learning programs. These programs are designed to build off each other to increase students’ appreciation and stewardship of nature. Katahdin Learning Project staff designs these programs based on feedback from students and teachers on what they are passionate about. Working with the same students weekly, year-after-year helps KLP make meaningful connections with the students.
2022 looks to be a year where meaningful connections will continue to move us forward together. This month, we will be welcoming Sheldon “Mark” Wimmer as the new Superintendent of Katahdin Woods and Waters. There is growth and transition on the path ahead and we look to walking with Mark and supporters like you.
—- This blog post was adapted from an email transmitted on January 3, 2021. To sign up for our email list, please email info@friendsofkww.org —-
Posted: January 6, 2022 by Sarah Andre
December eNewsletter
Welcome our new Superintendent, Mark Wimmer! This week, we’re excited to welcome Superintendent Sheldon “Mark” Wimmer as the new superintendent of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. We look forward to working with Superintendent Wimmer, the fantastic park service staff, and a diverse community of partners to preserve and protect these woods, waters, and dark skies. To learn more about Mark, read the NPS press release here. You can also read the Friends press release here.
kči-kisohs – Old moon (Penobscot) drum painted by James E. Francis, Sr., Director of Cultural and Historic Preservation for the Penobscot Nation.
New Moon Teachings – Black Ash Basket Making: You’re invited to the next New Moon Teachings on Dec 5th from 6 to 7:30 PM EST. This month’s New Moon Teachings is about Black Ash Basket Making and will feature studio visits with basket makers. We are grateful to host a panel of Richard Silliboy (Micmac basket maker), Jennifer Neptune (Penobscot basket maker), and Gabriel Frey (Passamaquoddy basket maker). To RSVP for New Moon Teachings, please visit our website.
Get to know your Friends team: Friends staff are passionate about the national monument, the Katahdin Region, and getting outdoors together! This fall, as we ask our members to join us in support of our work, we’ll be sharing a little about ourselves and what excites us most about our work. Please visit our Facebook page to read profiles about our staff and the work they do with your support.
—- This blog post was adapted from an email transmitted on December 1, 2021. To sign up for our email list, please email info@friendsofkww.org —-
Posted: November 29, 2021 by Sarah Andre
Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters Welcomes New Superintendent Mark Wimmer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 29, 2021
Contact:
Andrew Bossie
Executive Director
Email: andrew@friendsofkww.org
Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters Welcomes New Superintendent Mark Wimmer
PATTEN, Maine – Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters, the official philanthropic partner of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, welcomed Superintendent Sheldon “Mark” Wimmer and his family to his new post following the National Park Service announcement of his appointment.
“We look forward to working with Superintendent Wimmer to preserve and protect the woods, waters, and dark skies known as Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument,” said Andrew Bossie, Executive Director.
The national monument attracted 41,000 visitors in 2020, with spending in nearby communities supporting 38 jobs and a $3.3 million cumulative benefit to the local economy.
“Mark Wimmer and his family are joining the Katahdin Region community at a critical moment for the park and the surrounding communities,” continued Bossie. “He will be working with a fantastic existing park service staff at the national monument and a diverse community of partners devoted to vital relationships to this landscape. We’re excited to see Mark’s experience and background soon be part of the Katahdin Woods and Waters community.”
The national monument turned five years old in August of 2021 during a year of celebrated moments for the Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters, officially designated as the philanthropic park partner to start the year. In July, the Friends gifted seven new tent sites near Lunksoos Camps. Each month since February, Friends has hosted New Moon Teachings, a webinar series that centers Wabanaki people in sharing narratives about the landscape in and around the national monument. As 2021 nears its close, the youth program Katahdin Learning Project is celebrating over 7,000 student experiences since the program’s inception in 2017. The mission of Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters is to preserve and protect the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality, and distinctive cultural resources of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and surrounding communities for the inspiration and enjoyment of all generations.
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Posted: November 4, 2021 by Sarah Andre
November eNewsletter
Here in November nearby Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, the change within the fall season is plain to see. Leaves are all but gone from the trees, two gates to the park are closing on the 8th, and you can feel a first snowfall looming in the air. The story of this year continues to be written through the weather and the work of Friends.
New Moon Teachings – Water: You’re invited to the next New Moon Teachings on Thurs, Nov. 4th from 6 to 7:30 PM EDT. This month’s New Moon Teachings is about Water – understanding the importance of ancestral waterways, fisheries, waterscapes, and those whose lives are intertwined with the water through traditional ecological knowledge teachings and the education and empowerment of our youth. We are grateful to host a panel of John Neptune (Penobscot), Dr. Tony Sutton (Passamaquoddy), and Kyle Lolar (Penobscot). The panel will be moderated by Natalie Dana Lolar (Passamaquoddy, Ph.D. graduate student-UMaine). To RSVP for New Moon Teachings, please visit our website.
asəpaskʷačəss-kisohs – Moon when ice forms on the margins of lakes (Penobscot) drum painted by James E. Francis, Sr., Director of Cultural and Historic Preservation for the Penobscot Nation.
Updates from the Park Service: The Loop Road Gate and the North Gate will be closed for the winter season starting on November 8th. Visitors should also be aware that Charlie’s Road remains closed due to an unsafe bridge. Please visit the NPS website for the latest conditions.
Our National Monuments by QT Luong: QT Luong is the acclaimed author and photographer of Treasured Lands, which documents all 62 national parks. In the fall of 2020, he visited Katahdin Woods and Waters to photograph the monument for his new book Our National Monuments, which documents all monuments subject to the 2017 Dept. of Interior review. He took stunning photos all across the park – including a photo of the dark skies reflecting in the East Branch of the Penobscot (the banner image for this year’s Stars Over Katahdin). While the book was in production, QT let us know that Katahdin Woods and Waters will be featured as the first chapter in the book! Our National Monuments is available for order as of today.
Stars Over Katahdin: Two weeks ago, Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters and Dark Sky Maine hosted our 8th Annual Stars Over Katahdin, in a virtual format for the second year in a row. Our 2021 Stars Over Katahdin virtual presentation was recorded and you can access the entire webinar here on Friends’ YouTube channel. We hope you will enjoy the program for the first time if you missed it on October 14th, or enjoy watching it again. Visit the blog on our website to learn more about the event and to find some great resources mentioned during the presentations.
As we prepare for this winter and the year ahead, all of us here at Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters extend our gratitude for your gifts of time, talent, and treasure which bring our community together and empower our work (for a recent example – sponsors, members, and supporters made this year’s Stars Over Katahdin possible). We appreciate your committed support of our work for the national monument and the communities connected to it. You’ll hear from us soon with details about our annual appeal – as the year’s end approaches, we hope you will make a gift to support our continued work together.
—- This blog post was adapted from an email transmitted on November 2, 2021. To sign up for our email list, please email info@friendsofkww.org —-
Posted: November 1, 2021 by Sarah Andre
Stars Over Katahdin Follow-up
Thank you to all those who signed up for the 8th Annual Stars Over Katahdin, hosted by Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters and Dark Sky Maine in a virtual format for the second year in a row.
Thank you also to our generous presenters for providing entertaining, educational, and inspiring programs this year: Nancy Hathaway, Dark Sky Maine; John Meader, Northern Stars Planetarium; Serena Sanborn, Waterville Creates; Jason Gablaski, National Park Service; and our own Elise Goplerud.
Our 2021 Stars Over Katahdin virtual presentation was recorded and you can access the entire webinar here on Friends’ YouTube channel. Linked below you will find the resources mentioned during the presentations. We hope you will enjoy the program for the first time if you missed it on October 14th, or enjoy taking it in again. Please share with your friends and family by forwarding this email.
Our wish is that Stars Over Katahdin inspires you: to visit Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, to learn more about light pollution, or to step outside on a clear night with a pair of binoculars.
Finally, this annual event wouldn’t be possible without our members. Your support makes programs like Stars Over Katahdin possible. Member support also brought hands-on astronomy programs to 157 students in seven Katahdin Region elementary classrooms–inspiring the next generation of night-sky enthusiasts and protectors!
Resources from our presenters:
Stars Over Katahdin was made possible with generous support from Richardson’s Hardware and Celestron. Thank you!
—- This blog post was adapted from an email transmitted on October 29, 2021. To sign up for our email list, please email info@friendsofkww.org —-
Posted: August 24, 2021 by Sarah Andre
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Celebrated 5th Anniversary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Saturday, August 21, 2021
Contact:
Andrew Bossie
Executive Director
Email: andrew@friendsofkww.org
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Celebrated 5th Anniversary
Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters, the official philanthropic partner of the national monument, hosted the celebration of community, the land, and notable developments since its designation in 2016.
Patten, ME — Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters (Friends) and Maine Beer Company presented the 5th Anniversary Celebration of the establishment of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument (KAWW) over the weekend. The events engaged over 200 participants, where the public was encouraged to enjoy the late-summer weather through guided and self-guided hikes and excursions, and came together Saturday evening for an outdoor program with speakers highlighting the growth in visitation and infrastructure improvements of the last five years. Friends and supporters marked the evening with gratitude for community and recognition of the beauty, ecology, and cultural resources of the monument and region.
“We are honored to be together at five years with a community that supports and lives in relationship with this land,” said Friends’ Executive Director Andrew Bossie. “As the official philanthropic partner to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, Friends is grateful for the many hands, hearts, and minds giving time, talent, and treasure in a community effort to lift up this special place and the aspirations of people connected to it.”
Attendees of Saturday night’s celebration spread out on blankets and camp chairs on the lawn at Shin Pond Village in Mt. Chase and enjoyed picnic-style fare with Maine Beer Company’s Woods & Waters IPA on tap. A surprise performance from contemporary powwow drum group the RezDogs welcomed guests, and the Fogtown Family Band provided music throughout the evening. A brief spoken program included Friends’ Bossie and Board President Molly Ross, Park Superintendent Tim Hudson, and James Francis, Director of Cultural and Historic Preservation for Penobscot Nation.
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument was created in 2016 by presidential proclamation, following a philanthropic gift of more than 87,500 acres to the United States. Five years after Roxanne Quimby, co-founder of Burt’s Bees personal care products, and her son, Lucas St. Clair, donated and mounted the effort to have the land designated and protected, a toast was offered by now Friends Board Director St. Clair.
“We are a growing community that has come to embrace and support the monument since the designation with generosity and meaningful relationships,” said St. Clair. The generosity of the Quimby-St. Clair family extended to the incorporation of Friends in 2017, and has inspired generous support from foundations, corporations, and individuals and families in Maine and nationwide.
Since the establishment of the monument, access to Katahdin Woods and Waters has increased for visitors seeking the remote natural experiences provided within. “Five years ago, it was difficult to find the entrance,” said Hudson in his remarks. “Now we have new and improved accessible trails, double the number of drive-in tent sites, improved portage trails for paddlers, and of course, road signs – all because of the hard work and generous contributions of park staff, the Friends, and a growing and diverse community of volunteers, donors, and partners across the Katahdin Region, Maine, and the country.”
This year’s Anniversary Celebration will be Hudson’s last in his role with the National Park Service; he is retiring this fall. “Tim’s life and career have been dedicated to the Park Service and conservation of our national treasures,” Ross noted. “His tenure at Katahdin Woods and Waters has been our good fortune.” Ross emphasized Hudson’s leadership and know-how and his unwavering commitment to the protection of the natural, cultural, and historic values for which the monument was established.
Friends thanked Katahdin level business sponsors Richardson’s Hardware, L.L. Bean, and Burt’s Bees; Lookout level sponsor Haley Ward; Deasey level sponsors Frenchies’ Natural Products, Katahdin Trust, Lee Auto Mall, and National Parks Conservation Association; and many others for supporting the weekend’s festivities with proceeds benefiting Friends programs to attract and support park visitors, improve park infrastructure, and encourage revitalization efforts of the region. Friends expressed gratitude also to Media sponsors DownEast Magazine and Bangor Daily News for promoting the event through print and digital ads and content.
Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters is a non-profit 501(c)(3) membership organization made up of individuals and businesses who are committed to the mission to preserve and protect the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality and distinctive cultural resources of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and surrounding communities for the inspiration and enjoyment of all generations. To become a member or to learn more, go to www.friendsofkww.org.
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Posted: July 21, 2021 by Sarah Andre
Camping at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Expanded and Improved with Philanthropy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, July 21, 2021
CONTACT:
Andrew Bossie, Executive Director
Email: andrew@friendsofkww.org
Office: 207-808-0020
Camping at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Expanded and Improved with Philanthropy
Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters, National Park Foundation, and L.L.Bean host official opening of seven new tent sites near Lunksoos Camps on July 21st
Patten, Maine – Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters (“Friends”), the official philanthropic partner to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, unveiled seven new overnight tent sites near the historic Lunksoos Camps on the East Branch of the Penobscot River today. The campground is the first major infrastructure project completed by the Friends, demonstrating the power of the park-supporter community to stand up these public lands nearly five years after they were gifted to the National Park Service (“NPS”) in 2016 by philanthropist Roxanne Quimby through the National Park Foundation.
“Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument was born from an act of philanthropy,” said Andrew Bossie, Friends’ Executive Director, “and we are proud to continue that legacy and improve our parks facilities with our partners at L.L.Bean, the National Park Foundation, the Roxanne Quimby Foundation, and our many members in the community, region, and country. We’ve heard from our members and the visiting public that more overnight camping options are a top desire in the national monument and now we have them.”
The improved camping area includes two group sites and five single-party sites that will be available immediately for public use. Accessible by road and river, the campground was built to NPS standards for walk-in sites and features ADA toilet facilities, one ADA-compliant site, and connecting trails. Campers will find level, well drained sites equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, and bear-proof food storage boxes. Group sites have wood tent platforms nestled into a wooded slope.
“These sites will welcome visitors with tent sites that are accessible by vehicle or boats without feeling crowded and are specifically designed for tent camping with some privacy. This project more than doubles the number of campsites available via monument roads,” said Tim Hudson, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Superintendent. “It is a milestone for the monument and our partnership with the Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters.”
The tent sites at Lunksoos were made possible by three $50,000 grants from L.L.Bean, the Roxanne Quimby Foundation, and the National Park Foundation, as well as support from individual and business members of Friends. The National Park Foundation was able to further leverage the investment made by L.L.Bean by matching this donation with federally appropriated dollars.
At a ceremony at the new tent sites supporters made comments about their involvement and expressed excitement about the future of the monument. “L.L.Bean’s purpose is to enable everyone to experience the restorative power of time spent outside, and these new camping sites will offer a quality outdoor experience in a carefully designed space that honors and preserves its natural beauty and history,” said Shawn Gorman, Executive Chairman of the Board. “We are honored to partner with Katahdin Woods and Waters in this project and to celebrate the opening of the new tent sites this summer,” Gorman added.
National Park Foundation President and CEO Will Shafroth discussed how partnerships are making our national parks stronger in the 21st century. “This team effort demonstrates how partnerships can improve the visitor experience in parks like Katahdin Woods and Waters. These new tent sites are opening up access to more people, expanding the recreational opportunities, and supporting the communities that surround this treasured landscape,” said Shafroth. “With support from generous and inspirational visionaries like Roxanne Quimby and her family, private philanthropy truly enhances the park experience for all,” he continued.
Lucas St. Clair, son of philanthropist and Burt’s Bee’s co-founder Roxanne Quimby that donated the lands to create the monument, remarked about the growing community of supporters rallying for the national monument. “We are just so pleased to have diverse groups of donors and volunteers helping advance this landscape through their contributions of time, talent, and treasure.”
“We are thrilled to partner with these generous donors and our members to add a margin of excellence beyond what public funds alone can do for our national monument,” continued Bossie. “Welcoming student groups, families, and campers of all ages is a shared goal of Friends, the NPS, and our diverse community of supporters.”
The land presently known as Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and at Lunksoos Camps is steeped in history and present-day culture. The monument is traditional territory of the Penobscot Nation and a crossroads sacred to the Wabanaki Nations, including the Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot; Wabanaki Nations know this area as a center of connecting watersheds and important travel routes. Together with nearby Katahdin, this landscape continues to be a place for social and spiritual connection. Lunksoos was a sporting camp for much of the last two centuries and is known by many Mainers as the terminus of 12-year-old Donn Fendler’s arduous 9-day journey from Katahdin while “lost on a mountain in Maine” in 1939. Recently popular as a put-in for day and overnight paddle treks, campers pitched their tents at a single site near the boat launch in the past. The new sites will move camping away from the busy boat launch, protect natural resources, and accommodate more visitors at one of the most important hubs for recreators in the national monument.
Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters is a non-profit 501c3 membership organization made up of individuals who are committed to working alongside the National Park Service to help protect, preserve and promote all that is special about Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. The official philanthropic partner to the national monument Friends celebrates other recent achievements: in 2020, the monument was designated as the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary on the eastern seaboard, and in May of this year, the NPS released its economic impact report indicating the national monument KAWW supported 38 jobs and contributed $3.3m to the local economy. 2021 marks 5 years since President Barack Obama’s proclamation establishing Katahdin Woods and Waters (“KAWW”) as a national monument. Despite its rustic amenities and rough dirt roads, more visitors come each year: according to an NPS report published this spring, 41,000 people visited KAWW in 2020, which Hudson says was a 10% increase over 2019.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION
The National Park Foundation works to protect wildlife and park lands, preserve history and culture, educate and engage youth, and connect people everywhere to the wonder of parks. We do it in collaboration with the National Park Service, the park partner community, and with the generous support of donors, without whom our work would not be possible. Learn more at nationalparks.org.
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Posted: May 8, 2020 by Sarah Andre
Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters Inspired by International Dark Sky Sanctuary Designation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 8, 2020
CONTACT: Andrew Bossie, Executive Director
Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters
andrew@friendsofkww.org
Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters Inspired by International Dark Sky Sanctuary Designation
Patten, ME – Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument has been recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association as the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary on the eastern seaboard of the United States and only the 12th designation in the world.
“In the darkest of places, there is light to guide us forward. Beneath the ancient light from distant stars, we remember our solemn duty to preserve and protect those things we hold dear for generations to come,” said Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters (Friends) Executive Director, Andrew Bossie. “We hope our national monument’s dark skies can be an inspiration to locals, Maine residents, and those around the world,” he continued.
Those eager to behold the dark skies of the national monument can visit the Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters Facebook page for an announcement video that showcases the night skies. Due to the spread of Covid-19, visitors should check with the official Katahdin Woods & Waters website and local and state authorities before planning a trip.
The designation follows increased public awareness of the dark skies above Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. In 2019, Friends released the first edition of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Dark Sky Guide. A new edition of the Dark Sky Guide is now available online. Print versions of this second edition of the Dark Sky Guide will soon be available from Friends upon request.
“The Dark Sky Guide highlights how our night skies are worthy of protection and hold economic opportunity to attract astro-tourists,” said Andrew Bossie. “Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument reads as a 2 of 7 on the Bortles Scale. In non-scientific speak, that means only places like Antarctica have darker skies than we do.”
Friends is also in the planning stages for the seventh annual Stars Over Katahdin, the group’s celebration of the extraordinary night skies of the Katahdin Region. Each year, Friends works with the National Park Service to gather the public, star enthusiasts, and volunteer-in-Parks astronomers to observe the stunning celestial objects above the Loop Road Overlook at Mile 6.4. During 2020’s event scheduled for September 12th, Friends plans to put a new emphasis on the efforts to preserve and protect dark skies. Friends is also preparing a virtual version of the event in case an in-person gathering is not advisable at the scheduled time.
Friends is excited about the future of the national monument and its new status as a Dark Sky Sanctuary. With a total solar eclipse expected to move directly over the national monument on April 8, 2024, Friends hopes Katahdin Woods and Waters can be a major destination for astro-tourists from around the world.
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LINKED:
Posted: September 19, 2019 by Sarah Andre
Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters Highlighting Darkest Skies East of the Mississippi with Stars Event and New Dark Sky Guide
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, September 19, 2019
Contacts:
Andrew Bossie, Executive Director
Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters
(207) 899-9983
Kala Rush, Education Coordinator
Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters
(406) 728 – 5692
Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters Highlighting Darkest Skies East of the Mississippi with Stars Event and New Dark Sky Guide
Patten, ME — On Saturday, September 21st Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters (Friends) and Elliotsville Foundation, Inc. (EFI) will host the sixth annual Stars Over Katahdin, showcasing the darkest skies East of the Mississippi for the general public. Friends is also encouraging year-round enjoyment of the dark skies with the release of the newly published Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Dark Sky Guide.
“Our Friends group is working hard to help build a year-round recreation economy in the Katahdin Region,” said Friends Executive Director Andrew Bossie. “The wealth of recreational opportunities and unparalleled night skies of the national monument provide visitors and locals alike with round-the-clock activities to experience our newest public lands in northern Maine. On a clear, moonless night I’ve watched visitors see their own shadow on the banks of the East Branch of the Penobscot River with the only light from the milky way above.”
This year’s Stars Over Katahdin will offer day-time exploration of the national monument lands and an evening of food, campfire conversation, and a guided viewing of the celestial objects above Katahdin Woods and Waters. Attendees will also be the first to receive copies of the newly published Katahdin Woods and Waters National Dark Sky Guide. The guide includes information on suggested viewing sites, stargazing tips, the impacts of light pollution, and the unique skies above the national monument.
“This new, first of its kind, dark sky guide makes clear just how precious our night skies are and especially how worthy of protection they are in the North Maine Woods,” said Friends Executive Director Andrew Bossie. “Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument reads as a 2 of 7 on the Bortles Scale. In non-scientific speak, that means only places like Antarctica have darker skies than us.”
The Dark Sky Guide was produced by Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters staff, with the majority of the drafting being done by Summer Fellow Anna Piermattei, a junior at Colby College who brought a growing passion for astronomy to the unique task of building the new guide. The guide will be available for the first time at this year’s Stars Over Katahdin. A paper copy can also be requested from Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters year-round and a digital copy will be added to the Friends website soon.
“Our night skies are becoming a source of local pride for our community,” said Kala Rush, Friends Education Coordinator. “Through educational and interpretive programming, the national monument has elevated awareness of this increasingly scarce resource in our own backyard. Light pollution is growing across the country and what we have here is just so very rare.”
During the week preceding Stars Over Katahdin, local students have learned about the stunning night skies of their hometowns during school programs hosted by the Friends’ program, the Katahdin Learning Project. Over 300 students at Katahdin Elementary, Opal Myrick Elementary, and Granite Street Elementary have learned about astronomy during night sky presentations from John Meader of Northern Stars Planetarium.
To kick off Stars Over Katahdin’s events on Saturday September 21st, Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters Deputy Director Sam Deeran will be facilitating a guided day hike exploring the history, ecology, and geology on the trail to Orin Falls. That hike will leave from Sandbank Stream Campsite at 10:30am. Hikers with small children or a part of a family are welcome to meet Education Coordinator Kala Rush for a Family Hike starting at Sandbank Stream Campsite at 2pm.
“This annual event cannot take place without the support of our Friends group and the other contributors, so we hope that people can come to this event to celebrate,” said Tim Hudson, Superintendent for Katahdin Woods and Waters. “They can also see the night sky on every clear night in the monument, so we invite you to do that – with this group or in solitude.”
Saturday evening, astronomers, Monument volunteers, and star enthusiasts will gather at the Loop Road Overlook at Mile 6.4 for campfire chats (s’mores included) followed by a guided telescope viewing of the stars. Acadia National Park Ranger Michael Marion and John Meader will lead the dark sky viewing with the help of National Park Service Volunteer Astronomers. Carpools and a shuttle bus will be leaving from Sandbank Stream Campsite after meeting at 5pm. Friends suggests attendees hoping to tent overnight book accommodations at the nearby Taylor’s Katahdin View Camps or Pine Grove Campground. Other local accommodations and more details on the event can be found on the Friends website.
Stars Over the Katahdin takes place while Friends, EFI, and the National Park Service continue their collective effort to have the Monument designated by the International Dark Sky Association. The efforts to conserve the night skies of the region were previously covered in the Portland Press Herald’s feature “Let there be dark: Advocates push Maine as astrotourism destination” and The County’s article “Dark skies a resource to protect”. Light pollution maps show that this part of Maine is home to a patch of dark skies larger than any other in the United States East of the Mississippi River. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument sits in the heart of the dark skies of northern Maine. With a total eclipse expected to move directly over the Monument on April 8, 2024, dark sky advocates pushing for the International Dark Sky Designation hope Katahdin Woods and Waters can be a major destination for astrotourists from around the world.
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Posted: August 23, 2019 by Sarah Andre
Community Gathers to Celebrate Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument at 3rd Anniversary Celebration
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, August 23rd, 2019
Contacts:
Andrew Bossie
Executive Director
Cell: (207) 899 – 9983
Molly Ross
Board President
Cell: (703) 819-2643
Community Gathers to Celebrate Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument at
3rd Anniversary Celebration
This year’s festivities take place as the Monument makes progress improving infrastructure and the visitor experience and helping to revitalize the Katahdin Region.
Patten, ME — Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters (Friends) and Maine Beer Company will kick off the 3rd Anniversary Celebration of the establishment of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument this weekend. The events taking place on Friday and Saturday include over 200 participants and organizers are encouraging the public to enjoy the beautiful late-summer weather through guided and self-guided Monumental Experiences.
“We’re proud with the progress our Monument has made in only three years,” said Friends’ Executive Director, Andrew Bossie. “Signs are going up, visitation continues to increase, planning is underway, and local communities are realizing the educational and economic benefits of this special place; we’re excited about the future of the park and for the gateway communities of the Katahdin Region. This weekend we raise a glass with the village it takes to raise this Monument – the people, foundations, and businesses who make this place what it is and what it will be.”
The Saturday night celebration, presented with Maine Beer Company, will include dinner from New England Outdoor Center, Maine Beer Company’s Woods & Waters IPA, live performances from the Magic 8 Ball Quartet, and the raffle, live auction, and silent auction of outdoor gear, experiences, and memorabilia. Following a speaking program and awards ceremony, guests will get the chance to experience the exceptional night skies of the area with John Meader, astronomy expert and operator of Northern Stars Planetarium.
Guests are invited to take part in one of four guided Monumental Experiences during the day before the Saturday celebration. Visitors can enjoy a hike up Deasey Mountain, a hike up Barnard Mountain, a family hike at New England Outdoor Center, or a flintknapping demo with Penobscot Nation Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Chris Sockalexis.
“These August days provide a great opportunity for visitors to strike a connection to the landscape and its history and culture. Our work begins and ends with folks appreciating this incredible public resource,” said Bossie. “In our third year as a non-profit and third year of this park, we’ve worked hard to improve the visitor experience. Just this year, we released a new bird checklist, co-published a new edition of the Map Adventures map of the Monument, and started ground-truthing maps for a new paddling guide. We’ve also provided 1,000 young people with outdoor educational experiences through the Katahdin Learning Project and an inaugural youth conservation corps this year.”
Visitors to the Monument will witness recent infrastructure improvements including a new bridge over Katahdin Brook built by local students working for the Baxter Youth Conservation Corps, improved trails along the Loop Rd at Deasey Pond and the Esker Trail built by Appalachian Mountain Club, and new trail signs put up by the National Park Service. And the long-awaited road signs leading to the Monument should start going up before the year’s end according to Park Superintendent, Tim Hudson.
“It’s been an inspiration for the Katahdin Region to have its youth improving accessibility in the Monument that neighbors their communities,” said Bossie. “The Baxter Youth Conservation Corps is the first youth corps to work in Katahdin Woods and Waters and they’ve made an immediate and meaningful impact, rebuilding a highly trafficked bridge over Katahdin Brook to Orin Falls. We can’t wait for visitors to check it out.” Bossie went on to explain that funding from The Wilderness Society empowered the partnership between the two Friends groups that support the neighboring parks.
During a short speaking program on Saturday evening, National Park Service Superintendent Tim Hudson, Maine Beer Company Co-owner Dan Kleban, Elliotsville Foundation Executive Director Lucas St. Clair, Friends Board President Molly Ross, and Friends Executive Director Andrew Bossie will be sharing remarks. Friends will also be presenting three awards. Receiving the award for Excellence in Volunteerism will be Vicki Richardson of Patten, who has been a stalwart park service volunteer and with her husband donated their family home as an administrative building for the Monument. The award for Outstanding Public Service will go to Chris Sockalexis, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Penobscot Nation, who has played a critical role in the park’s management planning process and helping the public understand the historical and cultural significance of the Monument and surrounding lands. And the Conservation Colleague award will go to Friends of Baxter State Park, who partnered with Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters to bring the Baxter Youth Conservation Corps to the Monument.
The event is being generously supported by sponsors and individuals from around the Katahdin Region, Maine, and beyond. Maine Beer Company is co-presenting the event for the third time in as many years. To drive visitation to the Monument and attendance at the Anniversary, Down East Magazine has published advertisements for the party in their July and August editions. The Bangor Daily News has published promotions in its print and online publications to help drive visitation to the event, the Monument, and the surrounding communities. Maine business sponsors New England Outdoor Center, L.L. Bean, Lee Auto Malls, and Katahdin Trust are supporting the weekend’s festivities with proceeds benefiting Friends programs to attract and support park visitors, improve park infrastructure, and encourage revitalization efforts of the region. Conservation-minded organizations and businesses, including The Wilderness Society, Patagonia, Natural Resources Council of Maine, Appalachian Mountain Club, and National Parks Conservation Association, who have played a critical role in encouraging public engagement during the Monument’s management planning process are continuing their support of the Monument through sponsorship of this event. Lastly, the local photography firm Pamola Creative donated their trove of photos from the short film “Monumental,” photos which Friends uses to showcase the exceptional beauty and ecological vitality of the Katahdin Woods and Waters.
Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters is a non-profit 501(c)(3) membership organization made up of individuals and businesses who are committed to the mission to preserve and protect the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality and distinctive cultural resources of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and surrounding communities for the inspiration and enjoyment of all generations. To become a member or to learn more, go to www.friendsofkww.org.
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