Appalachian Mountain Club - Maine Chapter

AMC’s website has launched a new “Member Center” where you can take care of many administrative tasks at your own convenience, or sign up for electronic newsletters and get links to chapter activities. If you shared your e-mail address with AMC when you joined or renewed your membership, you should have received an e-mail informing you of this new opportunity. If not, you can go to the above address and sign on. In the Member Center database, you can renew your membership, change your contact information, subscribe to Appalachia magazine, subscribe to other chapter’s newsletters (if they are available in electronic format), see special member benefits, as well as view current chapter and AMC activities- all from one web page!

Many have heard about large development proposals in northern Maine, but what is going on in Maine’s Northern Forest that led to this? And, what’s so special about this region, anyway?

Come join us for November’s potluck and presentation event to learn more about these land use issues and participate in a discussion about the future. On Thursday, November 6, 2008, AMC’s Maine Policy Manager Bryan Wentzell will present a slide show and discussion on land ownership changes in Maine’s Northern Forest over the last decade, and what this may mean for the its future. Bryan will share information on the potential impacts of these recent events, the effects of land conservation tools in recent years, and how these tools may work in the future. This event is open to the public.

The location is at the South Portland Library, 482 Broadway, South Portland, ME: parking is available off Highland Avenue. Dinner at 6 pm, presentation at 7 pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring a potluck item and their own dinnerware (plate, utensils etc.). Drinks will be provided and plastic-ware will be available. Come join us!

Please join us on Thursday, October 23, 2008 for a presentation on hiking the scenic mountains of New England. Authors Ron and Nancy Chase will share their more than 30 years of hiking experiences at the AMC Maine Chapter’s monthly potluck and presentation.

For more information, please check out the AMC Maine Calendar or click here.

A reminder that the Telluride Mountain Film Festival is this Saturday October 25 at Hannaford Hall, Univ of Southern Maine at 7:30 PM. These films are produced by some of the world’s best outdoor cinematographers on a broad range of mountain themes celebrating traditional mountain sports, dramatic adventure, global environmentalism, indigenous cultures, and the astonishing beauty of the natural world. Mountainfilm is about cultures and the landscape they occupy. It is about a world where adventure is alive, history is important and people are zealous about what they believe. It is about environmental integrity and about a rich spirit of celebration.

Tickets are available at several local retailers and will also be available at the door. Continue Reading »

The University of Maine will host “Climate Change 21: Choices for the 21st Century” Oct. 23-24. This two-day “interactive forum and environmental festival” will feature presentations and discussions by renowned climate change scientists and policy makers. The University of Maine has been internationally recognized for its climate change research and this event will showcase that and allow for interactive discussions. The public, students, researchers, and policy makers are welcome to attend! For more information, please visit the conference website.

A Topsham couple recently completed a New England mountain hiking guidebook entitled “Mountains for Mortals– New England,” published by Menasha Ridge Press. This guidebook appeals to a broad hiking audience from the beginner to one seeking more challenging terrain. The book features 30 hikes, 11 of which are in Maine, and includes driving directions, panoramic pictures, trusty trail descriptions, and meticulous maps. In addition, each listing includes weather advice, lodging and camping options, ideal hiking times, and other pertinent information. So if your are looking to hike on the barren coastline or in remote mountainous areas, this New England guidebook may be just what you are looking for! This book will be available on Amazon.com and Menasha Ridge websites and soon it will be available at your local bookstore.

Last March AMC successfully met the Kresge Challenge by raising $3 million dollars, which entitled them to a $1.5 million dollar grant. Now, AMC is about to embark on additional fundraising with new challenge grants. The Richard King Mellon Foundation of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania will award AMC $1.5 million if we raise $3 million in new commitments of $25,000 or more by the end of 2009. In addition, the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, based in Maine, has also made a leadership level grant of $1 million to the campaign. These three major grants will have a significant positive impact as we work to connect the protected landscape through the 100-Mile Wilderness in Maine. Visit the AMC website to learn more about the Campaign for the Maine Woods, read about why others have supported this groundbreaking project, and to make a donation!

The Telluride MountainFilm Festival will be returning for its sixth year to the Portland area at Hannaford Hall, Univ of Southern Maine, 7:30 PM on Saturday, October 25. These films are produced by some of the world’s best outdoor cinematographers on a broad range of mountain themes celebrating traditional mountain sports, dramatic adventure, global environmentalism, indigenous cultures, and the astonishing beauty of the natural world. MountainFilm is about cultures and the landscape they occupy. It is about a world where adventure is alive, history is important and people are zealous about what they believe. It is about environmental integrity and about a rich spirit of celebration.

Tickets are available after September 10 at several local retailers. Tickets will also be available at the door. Continue Reading »

Hiram, Maine resident Dan Hester is featured on page 23 of the October “AMC Outdoors” magazine for his conservation efforts on Mt. Cutler. Dan recently purchased 176 acres when development pressures started to infringe on the area. This unique mountain affords spectacular views from ledge overlooks toward Pleasant and Burnt Meadow Mountains in the Bridgton and Brownfield, as well as the village of Hiram. Dan has worked in cooperation with the Maine Chapter Trails Committee to improve and expand foot travel opportunities on the property. The future of Mount Cutler is more secure with Dan’s ownership as he plans to keep it open for public use and to perhaps eventually transfer the title to a land trust so that it will be protected forever. Thank you for your efforts, Dan!