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
A Forest Chorus – May eNewsletter
Posted: May 14, 2024 by Sarah Andre
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
Category: eNewsletters and emails