Have you ever paddled on the Allagash River, hiked along the Appalachian Trail in Maine, or explored AMC’s 66,000 acres in the 100-Mile Wilderness? If you have, you know Maine’s North Woods are an amazing place full of high peaks, raging rivers, and tons of moose and other wildlife. The future of these lands is now at stake. We recently asked you to contact your legislator about changes proposed for the Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC), which oversees planning and development for Maine’s 10-million acre North Woods. Now we are now asking you to speak up at a public hearing about this issue on February 16!

Last week a bill was introduced that proposes changes to LURC, including many provisions that weaken its oversight capability and undermine its effectiveness. One provision allows county commissioners to appoint themselves as LURC Commissioners without legislative confirmation, and another allows counties to entirely “opt-out” of LURC.

We need your help! Please attend a public hearing on February 16 to support LURC’s role in protecting the many values of the North Woods. We need to send the message that poor planning and piecemeal development are unacceptable alternatives. Help ensure that future generations can hike, paddle, and recreate in this special part of Maine! Come and share your story.

TAKE ACTION
Come to Augusta and speak up for LURC on Thursday, February, 16! For talking points and more information contact AMC’s Maine Policy Associate Lindsay Bourgoine via email or at (207)-899-0150.

You can also call or email your legislators and ask them to protect the North Woods from poorly planned development by opposing efforts to weaken LURC.

Sincerely,

Bryan Wentzell
Maine Policy Director
Appalachian Mountain Club

It’s back! Mark your calendar for the Banff Mountain Film Festival at 7 pm, Monday, February 13 at the State Theatre. The eleventh year of this film festival will feature two 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 shows starts at 7:00PM. Visit the webpage for ticket information.

Don’t let winter freeze your activities- get out and embrace it at the 19th Annual Mount Washington Valley Ice Festival from February 3-5 in North Conway, New Hampshire. This 3-day event brings together climbers of all abilities to celebrate the adventure, the fun, and the comradery of ice climbing and will feature gear demonstrations, evening entertainment, as well as a skills clinic. There are also a ton of great sponsors. For more information, check out the Ice Fest website.

Why do Wall Street jitters make it harder for Maine nonprofits to protect land? What about severe constraints on funding of state and federal conservation programs? Can land preservation happen in a tough economy? Should we purchase easements or buy land land outright? Rare opportunities for land and easement purchases in Maine could add to acreage protected for recreation and wilderness. Come find out on Wednesday February 1 in Holden. Representatives from the Trust for Public Land, the Forest Society of Maine, Downeast Lakes Land Trust, and AMC will describe the land acquisitions they are working on, and the challenges they face. Citizens can make a difference whether these projects get done. Find out how. The talk is in Holden is at 6:30pm on Wednesday, February 1st at Maine Audubon’s Fields Pond Center, 216 Fields Pond Rd, Holden, ME 04429, about 15 minutes south of Bangor. Parking is free and plentiful. This program is co-sponsored by Maine Audubon and the Maine Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. For more information, email Conservation Chair Karen Herold or Audubon Director Matt Dubel. All events are free and open to the public.

Maine Chapter volunteer Jeff Aceto will be honored at this weekend’s AMC Annual Meeting in Boston when he will receive AMC’s Volunteer Leadership Award. This award recognizes “members with at least five years of active service who have made significant contributions to volunteer leadership within their club units. The recipients will have furthered the recreation, conservation, and education mission of the AMC in some way.” Jeff has served the Maine Chapter as a trip leader of hiking (all four seasons), biking, and paddling trips, he has served as the Meetings and Education Chair, and is currently the Outings Chair for the chapter. Thank you Jeff for all of your efforts and congratulations!

Saturday February 4, 2012 is the 7th annual 100-Mile Wilderness Sled Dog Race. The race starts in Greenville, crosses Moosehead Lake, and goes as far north as AMC’s Medawisla Lodge and Cabins. Sixty miles of the 100-mile race route will be on AMC lands and pass through their wilderness lodges. If you have never seen sled dogs in action, it is worth the trip!

Planning an outdoor adventure, be it a hike, ski, over-night trip, or just a walk through the woods? Winter weather is definitely something to consider. And, the weather out your back door may be drastically different from where you intend to recreate. An accurate local forecast is needed for proper planning, so you know if you will need the basic winter gear, or extra hand-warmers. If you are headed to the White Mountains, the trusted weather source is continue

Join us on Tuesday January 17th when Carey Kish will talk about his week-long backpacking trek along the West Coast Trail. (Please note: The topic for this presentation was previously “Ecological Recovery in Coastal Maine” but the presenter is now unavailable). This bold 50-mile oceanfront wilderness route (a former shipwreck life saving trail) leads from Port Renfrew to Bamfield in Pacific Rim National Park, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Join us on Tuesday January 17th at the Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick for a potluck dinner at 6pm and Carey Kish at 7pm. Parking is on Middle Street or in a public lot off Union Street. Bring a potluck item to share and your own dinnerware (plate, utensils etc.). Drinks will be available. For more information, email Kathy. All events are free and open to the public.

Maine’s Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) wants you to know that many of Maine’s State Parks are open in the winter. And to entice you there, they are offering activities such as “Winter Family Fun Days” to help get you there. They are offering lessons in ice skating, cross country skiing, winter camping, and snowshoeing, as well as activities that include a fishing derby, animal tracking, nature programs, and dog sled rides. Don’t have equipment? BPL has 60 pairs of cross country skis for you to use, free of charge! Check out this article to learn more.

On January 7, 2012 the AMC announced its next president- John D. Judge. He brings to the AMC a background in executive and senior development, finance, and marketing, as well experience as an active community leader. John Judge currently lives in the Boston area, and starts his new duties as AMC’s president on February 1. For more information, read this press release.