Autumn Light – October eNewsletter

Hiking weather, park improvements, celebrating dark skies, cemetery visits, and more…

Yellow, green, and red leaves float on a dark water body.
Leaves and sky on the East Branch. Photo credit: Ross Knowlton

Is fall your favorite season? If so, you are in good company. In October in the Katahdin region, it’s especially easy to love the outdoors. With a few easy layers–wool sweater, knit cap, light gloves–that can be stashed in your pack by late morning, there is no better time to take a hike! Lower in the sky each day, the sun’s intense summer heat has been swapped for a warm glow, lighting the last leaves from below as they fall.

Friends’ staff are reflecting this season on the intensity of 2024–from the completion of Tekαkαpimək Contact Station and a moving celebration in August to a landmark year for our education program, Katahdin Learning Project. Like the mosaic of leaves sparkling on the inky surface of the East Branch of the Penobscot River, our community of supporters deserves a moment of appreciation. Our shared care and passion for this place makes this progress possible. Thanks for being a part of the crew.


Priority Park Progress

A grid with three photos: a small wood building in a gravel parking lot in the woods, a concrete bridge over a bog, and a small white shingled hut atop a granite mountaintop.

Projects large and small are moving along in Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument!

On a recent day hike of Deasey Mountain, Executive Director Brian Hinrichs witnessed several infrastructure projects in motion or recently completed. Brian reported that “this included a full bridge replacement at Mile 0 of Loop Road, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (completed in September); rehabilitation of the historic Deasey Mountain Fire Lookout funded by the Great American Outdoors Act (completed in August); and the Hunt Farm Parcel Information Area, funded by Friends of KWW, anticipated to be completed in Spring 2025.”

Photo credit FKWW. Top: The Hunt Farm Information Area will provide parking for 10 vehicles on the Swift Brook Rd, plus vault toilet and picnic area as visitors begin their journey into the monument. Bottom L: The historic Deasey Mountain Fire Lookout was rehabilitated by students from Stephen T. Mather H.S. in New York City and the Maine Conservation Corps, supported by skilled staff from the NPS. Bottom R: This new bridge at Loop Road Mile 0 is an example of the salmon passage improvements throughout KAWW.

Stars Over Katahdin

On September 28th, Friends hosted the 11th annual Stars Over Katahdin. Thank you to our partners at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, the Patten Lumbermen’s Museum, Dark Sky Maine, our guest astronomers, and our year-long sponsors who made this event possible! The night included campfire chats, educational presentations, music by the Burnurwurbskek Singers, and observation of the dark skies of this International Dark Sky Sanctuary after the clouds parted. Students also participated in the program as part of the Katahdin Region Outdoor Collective (KROC) with additional lessons on nature journaling, constellations, and more! It was a busy and fun night with over 200 guests joining us in Patten. Stay tuned for information on next year’s event in the next few months.

A picture of students at a picnic table and a picture of the night sky with the Milky Way.
Left, students learn about “critters of the night.” Right, after a cloudy start, the Milky Way! Photo credit: FKWW

Katahdin Learning Project – Community Highlight

Four teen girls are seated on the ground in a cemetery watching two men in Civil War attire next to a memorial stone.
Ashland Middle School students witness history. Photo credit: Amanda Barker

It’s key to our mission, and we know that for many of you, nothing is more important: outdoor, place-based education for Katahdin-region youth. And nothing gets us more excited than seeing our work expand to new communities and beyond our own Friends programming! Recently, our seasonal educator, Maggie, spoke with Ashland Middle School teacher Amanda Barker to learn how she was inspired by a lesson in the Stacyville Cemetary during KLP’s Teacher Camp in 2022. Ms. Barker is now making her passions for community and science fun for her students with hands-on lessons, field trips, and co-curricular connections. In a visit to the Ashland Municipal Cemetery, her students identified an assigned person and made a stone rubbing, collected data from stones to calculate average life spans and make inferences about diseases, and received a presentation from local Civil War reenactors at a memorial for local soldiers. We are so excited to hear that she has observed “…a closer connection of community and respect through this lesson. Students are willing to go back and…be more involved with the lesson.” Learn more about Teacher Camp and KLP on our website, Facebook, and Instagram!


A wooden sign for Katahdin Woods and Waters NM.

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

  • You’re not just carving a face in your pumpkin, are you? Up your jack o’lantern game with these national park themed carving templates! Extra credit: design one for KAWW and tag Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters when you share it on socials.
  • If you are inspired by Ms. Barker’s cemetery lesson in Ashland, October is the perfect month to take a walk in your local cemetery. Your local historical society may offer “spooky” guided walks this time of year, such as the Darker Mt. Hope Cemetery Tour in Bangor, or a ghost-free self-guided walk.
  • The Maine Chapter of the International Appalachian Trail comprises dedicated volunteers who maintain trails in KAWW and occasionally lead trips, too! Read about their recent trip to the monument’s north section on their blog.

Sponsor Spotlight

Events like Stars Over Katahdin are made possible by our year-long sponsors. Thank you!

Gideon Asen Law | Katahdin Trust | Lee Auto Mall | Maine Audubon
Natural Resource Council of Maine | Ellis Family Market | Shoebox Collaborations

Plus a special shout out this month to our Lookout level sponsor Eaton Peabody, Attorneys at Law! With offices in Portland and Bangor, the firm contributes time and resources to support community organizations throughout Maine. And thank you to Katahdin Trust for their Barnard sponsorship and providing community banking at its best since 1918!

Sponsors provide crucial funding that supports Friends’ mission and work. To learn more about becoming sponsor in 2025, visit friendsofkww.org/sponsorship or contact sarah@friendsofkww.org.


—This blog post was adapted from an email sent on October 25, 2024. Sign up for our email list at friendsofkww.org/signup

Falling for Katahdin Woods and Waters – September eNewsletter

Fall foliage, outdoor learning, Stars Over Katahdin, visit Tekαkαpimək, Loop Road construction, and more…

In the background, a stand of birch trees with yellow leaves stand behind a field of brownish reddish grasses with a cloudy sky above.
Look for early color in boggy, wet areas. Photo credit: Ross Knowlton

Have you heard? As this eNewsletter reaches your inbox, the famed foliage season has begun–and the experts say it could be a spectacular year. Check out the official foliage report from the Maine Department of Conservation and Forestry while learning what creates the blazing scenery we love each fall. 

We have so many exciting things to share this month, from Friends’ annual Stars Over Katahdin coming up to more chances to visit Tekαkαpimək Contact Station to important updates from the NPS. But first we want to share that our annual fall appeal has begun! Now is the time to make your impact. If you missed board president Molly Ross’s email last week you can find it here on our blog. I hope that Molly’s enthusiasm and excitement inspires YOU–together we can make this fundraising season our most spectacular yet!


Visit Tekαkαpimək Contact Station

The interior of a curved wooden building with museum style exhibits.
Photo credit: James Florio

You’ve been asking…and although the site is not yet open to the public, we are happy to share more invitational visitation dates this fall! An extraordinary gift is nearing completion and will soon be transferred to the National Park Service, imbued with Wabanaki artistry and knowledge, Tekαkαpimək will provide the global public a deeply meaningful introduction to this landscape we all cherish. We look forward to sharing it with you!

Saturday and Sunday, September 28th & 29th between 10 AM-3 PM

or Sunday and Monday, October 13th & 14th between 10 AM-3 PM

Please note: Tekαkαpimək Contact Station is currently in the final stages of construction and closed to the public at all other times. Regular operating hours for the 2025 season will be announced in coordination with the National Park Service.


Friends’ News

Register today! Photo credit: Ross Knowlton

Stars Over Katahdin – Saturday, September 28th!

From the total solar eclipse back in April to some spectacular shows of aurora borealis, the Katahdin region has been drawing crowds looking up in 2024…but we’ve been celebrating the darkest skies east of the Mississippi since before the monument’s designation! Come join Friends, KAWW rangers, and expert astronomers and naturalists for an evening of wonder and learning. This family-friendly event is free, but registration is required.

Saturday, September 28th 4-9 PM

Patten Lumberman’s Museum | Click here to learn more and register

See you at the fair!

Friends’ staff and board had a blast at the Common Ground Fair in the Environmental Concerns area last weekend and we will be at the Fryeburg Fair in the Natural Resource Center (9/29-10/6) sharing maps, answering your questions, and catching up with friends old and new! If you are headed to the Fryeburg Fair, be sure to stop by and say hello!

Back-to-school news from Katahdin Learning Project

A group of children stand at the edge of a grassy clearing in an evergreen forest.
Education Coordinator Elise leads a lesson in 2023. Photo credit: FKWW

September marks the start of a new school year, and the Katahdin Learning Project is excited to be back in the classroom (or outside the classroom)! We’re busy the entire month of September with field trips and school visits, bringing outdoor education to students throughout the Katahdin region. Don’t miss our newly updated 2024/2025 program catalog packed with fresh ideas and opportunities for learning in nature!And we had so much fun adventuring this summer as part of the Katahdin Region Outdoor Collective (KROC) that we are bringing our summer youth programs into the school year! As part of the Stars Over Katahdin celebration, we’ll be hosting an overnight for local students in grades 6-12. It’s the perfect chance for kids to reconnect with old friends from our summer trips, build new friendships, and experience the magic of the night sky. Learn more and register here. 


Behind the Signs

News from the National Park Service (NPS) and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument (KAWW)


Sponsor Spotlight

Thank you to our Katahdin sponsor Richardson’s Hardware! A fourth generation Patten business and longtime champion of the monument and the Katahdin Learning Project, Richardson’s is a true community partner, including their generous support of Friends.

And thank you to Gideon Asen Law for their Barnard sponsorship!

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 September 25, 2024. Sign up for our email list at friendsofkww.org/signup

 

🍂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.

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 a secure online donation. Your gift makes it possible!

 

Eleventh Annual Stars Over Katahdin Event Returns September 28

For Immediate Release: Monday, September 9, 2024

Contact: 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.

8th Annual Woods and Waters Day and Unveiling of Tekαkαpimək Contact Station Planned for August 17th

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

  • August 17th, 2pm to 5pm 
  • August 17th, 5pm to 9pm
    • Woods and Waters Day at New England Outdoor Center  [$40 per person]
  • August 18th, 10am to 4pm

 

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/woodsandwaters.

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.

###

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.

Screen⛺Time- July eNewsletter

Camping season, youth adventures, Woods & Waters Day, NPS Director’s Awards, and more…

A green tent is set up in a wooded clearing, sun is streaming through mixed forest.
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.

 

 

A mature bald eagle and a chick are in a nest in a tall tree.
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.

Two cast bronze door handles with Wabanaki double curve design in relief.
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.

Several women are gathered around a white female park ranger who is pointing at a tree.
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

Looking out from the inside of a rustic wooden camping leanto towards a grassy field.
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. *


Behind the Signs

A Katahdin Woods and Waters NM sign with arrowhead logo.

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.


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. 

Dirt Road Destinations – June eNews

Summer events, family getaways, youth adventures, signs to get you there, and more…

A man stands in a wide forest river, fishing.
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 isA brown sign with hiking trails listed in white in front of leafy trees. 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.

Two kayaks in a whitewater stream in the forest.
Millinocket Stream kayak adventure! Photo credit: FKWW

 

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!

A man with a hand on a tree branch surrounded by middle school children.
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

A brown wooden sign: Welcome to Katahdin Woods & Waters NM.

  • 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


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

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:

  • 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

A river with whitewater flows toward the camera.
Upper East Branch of the Penobscot: a place worth protecting. Nolan Altvater photo

A Forest Chorus – May eNewsletter

Road improvements, youth building community, member meet-ups, summer camping reservations open, and more…

A black-capped chickadee perched on a spring tree branch.
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

A small SUV drives on a dirt road.
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

A group of children walk along a wooded path in spring.
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

 

 

Children are jumping across a vernal pool in the woods.
“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!
  • Although most seasonal positions have been filled, check here for new opportunities: nps.gov/kaww/getinvolved/workwithus

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

Step into Spring – April eNewsletter

Winter melts into spring, lynx kittens, outdoor skills fun, Friends’ upcoming events, and more…

River in woods with starry sky.
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 lynx kits lying on mossy ground.
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

Dozens of people seated at round tables under a lit party tent.
Join Friends in celebration this August. Photo credit: James E. Francis, Sr.

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 

High school students sitting in kayaks and an instructor standing in an indoor swimming pool.
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


A brown wooden sign "Old River Road."
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).
  • Reminder! KAWW North Entrance and Loop Roads remain closed for the winter season. Stay current on condtions here.
  • 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.
  • Dreaming of your first Katahdin Woods and Waters summer camping trip? Watch this helpful video at nps.gov/kaww/planyourvisit
  • 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


    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