Falling for Katahdin Woods and Waters – September eNewsletter

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

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!

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Visit Tekαkαpimək Contact Station

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.

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Friends’ News

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

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. 

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Behind the Signs

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

• Know before you go! Always check for alerts and closures here Current Conditions – Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) before embarking on a monument adventure. Currently there is a rerouted section of the Loop Road that may impact your trip plans.
• Superintendent Mark Wimmer has moved on to a new opportunity after nearly three years at KAWW. Beginning this month, Acadia National Park’s Chief of Maintenance Keith Johnston will serve as interim Superintendent while a search is undertaken. Thank you, Mark, and welcome, Keith!
• NPS Education staff at KAWW are now booking fall programs! Teachers and youth leaders: check out the opportunities for field trips, classroom visits, virtual programs, and more! Learn more here: Education – Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
• Join rangers for programs this fall – open to all in the community – including Art in the Park at Lunksoos or a Tree Talk at the Lumberman’s Museum. Find all events on the KAWW calendar: Calendar – Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

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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.

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