Appalachian Mountain Club – Maine Chapter

An organization called “Choose to be Healthy” is one of 28 local coalitions that encourages Mainers to lead healthier lives by increasing physical activity and reducing the risk factors for chronic disease. This is a collaborative effort among state agencies, hospitals, schools and volunteers spreading the word about how not smoking, simple diet choices and fun physical activity can help prevent heart disease, asthma, diabetes, and obesity. They are affiliated with Healthy Maine Walks and work to promote an increase of sidewalks, bike paths, trails, and other opportunities for physical activity in Maine. Continue Reading »

A reminder to join us at the Buker Community Center in Augusta on Thursday, January 29, 2009, for a presentation on Tips, Tricks, and Toys for the Outdoor Kitchen. Backcountry chef Dorcas Miller will share her favorite recipes, demonstrate gear for making trailside goodies, and pass along hard-earned culinary wisdom. This event is free and open to the public.

Please click here for more information.

Click on Tips Tricks and Toys for the Camp Kitchen to download a pdf flyer for this event.

The Maine Department of Conservation has published a new edition of the guidebook Forest Trees of Maine, Centennial Edition 1908-2008. The 14th edition of this popular publication is a special centennial edition and has been significantly improved for the occasion. This 178 page guidebook offers something for everyone, including easy cross-referenced identification for veteran naturalists, and also a step-by-step process for those less experienced. The book focuses on the “commercially important” trees of Maine and also a few important non-native trees for a total of 78 identifications. Each tree is shown in sharp color photography of its leaves, bark and cones or buds.

A positive review of this guidebook can be read in an article in the Bangor Daily News.

The guidebook should be of great use to anyone who wishes to know more about the large flora of Maine. A hard copy of this book can be ordered by clicking here for $7 per copy or a digital copy may be downloaded by clicking here at no cost. (This download is approximately 90 MB)

You are invited to attend AMC’s first ever Spring Fling clubwide event April 24-26, 2009 taking place at the newly refubished Mohican Outdoor Center, located near the Delaware Water Gap in Blairstown, NJ.  Join your AMC friends from near and far for this fun-filled weekend featuring various hikes along and around the AT, a visit to a local wolf preserve where you can see wolves and other animals in a natural setting, enjoy a few hours paddling on Catfish Pond (canoes, kayaks and all gear provided!), and of course, making S’mores around the campfire. 

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Looking for some fun activities you and your family can do outside this winter? Visit Maine’s “Take It Outside” web site for some ideas and events. The site lists ideas and opportunities for outdoor recreation this winter to help children connect with nature and lead active, healthy lives. There is an events calendar, suggestions on how to dress for winter outdoor activities, recipes, a kids page, and more. So don’t let winter keep you indoors- there is too much to do and enjoy this winter season!

Join climber-photographer and AMC Maine Chapter member Sonny Martineau on a slide tour of the highest peaks in the United States, including journeying to Alaska and Denali. Sonny’s presentation will also take you to the South Tirol region of Austria and Italy. The evening will end with a multi-media slideshow of the New England 3,000 ft. mountains.

The presentation is on Thursday, January 29, 2009 at the Lewis B. Goodall Memorial Library at 952 Main Street in Sanford, ME. The event begins at 6 pm and is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact the Library at 207-324-4714.

The Banff Mountain Film Festival is coming to the South Portland Auditorium on Tuesday, February 17th, 2009. The film festival will feature 2 hours of magnificent cinematography of skiing, climbing, kayaking, mountain culture, the environment, and more and is produced by some of the world’s best outdoor cinematographers. The show starts at 7:30PM. Tickets are available after 1/10/2009 at EMS and Nomads. $16 in advance, or $19 at the door.

Who says wilderness food has to be dull? Join backcountry chef Dorcas Miller on Thursday, January 29, 2009 for a night in the kitchen where she’ll share her favorite recipes, demonstrate gear for making trailside goodies, and pass along hard-earned culinary wisdom. Dorcas has been cooking on trail for almost forty years, including experiences as a registered Maine Guide, Outward Bound instructor, canoe trip leader, and whitewater guide. She has packed out food for dozens of trips (including one that was seven weeks long), published articles in Backpacker magazine, served as the trail chef for www.gorp.com, and wrote Backcountry Cooking and More Backcountry Cooking (available for sale at this event).

The location is the Buker Community Center, 22 Armory Street, Augusta, ME: parking is available behind the building. 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.

Click on Tips Tricks and Toys for the Camp Kitchen to download a pdf flyer for this event.

Maine’s legendary environmental reporter Phyllis Austin has published a new book entitled “Wilderness Partners: Buzz Caverly and Baxter State Park.” Austin follows Buzz through his 45-year career with Baxter State Park, starting with his ranger days and ending with his 24 years as park director. She follows his vision to keep Percival Baxter’s wish for the park to remain “forever wild” and how he made this vision a reality from the field to political and bureaucratic maneuvering. Also documented are the changes in public attitude toward wilderness through the years. And don’t think there isn’t a good ole’ story or two along the way- there are plenty, as well as a passion for the rugged landscape of Baxter State Park. Check out the press release!

A reminder to join us at the South Portland Library on Tuesday, January 6, 2009, for a presentation on the Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail. Local residents Beth Lowry and Kevin Kirby will share their individual stories of Thru-Hiking from Georgia home to Maine in 2008. This event is free and open to the public.

For more information, click on the Calendar link above or click here.

Click AT Thru Hike to download a pdf flyer for this event.