Join Moosehead Regional Land Trust, Friends of Wilson Pond, and Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) on October 12, 2026, for a presentation on the results of a special 30-year bird study with John Hagan, President of Our Climate Connection.
This is a hybrid event. The in-person location will be at: Medawisla Lodge and Cabins (AMC) To Join Via Zoom; click on the following link: ZOOM The in-person event will start at 5:30 and the Zoom presentation begins at between 6:45 and 7:00 pm. Please Register (registration not required, but appreciated).
Come learn about three decades of bird observations and what they can tell us about the changing natural world around us.
Come visit the Moosehead Regional Land Trust’s booth Saturday, Sept. 12 at Forestry Field Day, at the Williamsburg Forest (Williamsburg, ME) – an outdoor education event for families and woodland owners to learn about sustainable land management.
Visit us at our booth and celebrate the winner of the 2026 Maine Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year; enjoy a guided field tour of the property; and see exhibits and demonstrations of forestry tools. Learn more at: Maine Woods Land Owners
Come visit the Moosehead Regional Land Trust’s booth Saturday Sept. 12 and Sunday Sept. 13 – at this year’s International Seaplane Fly-In.
We will have an educational booth set up to answer your questions – we look forward to seeing you there!
Aug 29, 2026 Workshop co-sponsored by Moosehead Regional Land Trust
Conversation about the Future of the North Woods; Thursday August 27, 2006; 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Greenville Public Safety Building, 10 Minden Street, Greenville, ME
Please join the Natural Resources Council of Maine and the Moosehead Regional Land Trust to learn about the State’s multi-year process to create a new land use plan that will guide the future of the Unorganized Territories and North Woods. We want to hear from people in the region about what matters most to them. Refreshments provided. If you cannot attend in person there will be a virtual option.
The Piscataquis Observer Article – August 5, 2026
Land trust plans for the future of Moosehead Lake Region
MRLT Annual Meeting and Talk by Jerry Bley: August 1, 2026 in Dover-Foxcroft
The Moosehead Regional Land Trust invites you to attend its annual meeting on Saturday August 1, 2026, in Dover-Foxcroft. Please join us for our second annual meeting, and stay for a talk by Jerry Bley, one of Maine’s top land conservation experts.
9:00 Coffee; 9:30 – 10:30 Meeting; 10:30-11:30 Talk by Jerry Bley: How to Conserve Your Land
Location: Thompson Free Library 186 East Maine Street Dover-Foxcroft, ME
We would appreciate an RSVP, but registration is not required. Click HERE to RSVP
Come learn about how we’re building a strong foundation for a flourishing land trust.
Photo by Jackie Robidoux
Event: June 25, 2026: Talk by Ben Emory: Canoes: Invaluable Watercraft for Maine, Post-Glacier to Old Town.
Greenville Safety Building Conference Room; 5:30 – 7:00 pm. (5:30-6:00 gathering and refreshments; 6:00-7:00 presentation and Q & A). We would appreciate an RSVP, but registration is not required. Click HERE to RSVP.
Ben’s talk on canoes reflects his deep knowledge of boats; love of the land and water; and interest in the relationship between people and the natural world. You will learn about: The geological and cultural context of the origins and early history of the canoe; the native Americans’ fascinating use of materials and construction methods; the arrival of the Europeans and their impressions of canoes; and the subsequent history of this unique vessel including modern construction techniques, canoe building in Maine, and more. Come enjoy hearing about what makes a canoe so beautiful and special!
Ben Emory of Bar Harbor brings extensive canoeing experience, a lifetime on saltwater boats, and a strong interest in boat design. Last year, he taught an Acadia Senior College course on canoes in Maine. His professional and volunteer work in land conservation spans decades, serving on the staff and board of the Maine Coast Heritage Trust and the Land Trust Alliance, which he co-founded. He has also served on local land trust boards, the Land for Maine’s Future Board, and the Acadia National Park Advisory Commission. A former Navy destroyer officer, he is the author of Sailor for the Wild: On Maine, Conservation and Boats. He is also a small investor in the conservation-minded ownership group that purchased Scammon Ridge (Greenville) and is married to Karin Tilberg, known in the Greenville community for her career in forest conservation.
PAINTING by ALEX KATZ:
Event: May 28: Book Talk and Visual Presentation by Jackie Robidoux: Discover New England Wildlife: A Guide to Finding and Observing Animals in Their Habitat.
Join wildlife photographer, rehabilitator, and educator Jackie Robidoux for an engaging and inspiring book talk and presentation featuring her new release: Discover New England Wildlife: A Guide to Finding and Observing Animals in Their Habitat; Greenville Public Safety Building Conference Room; 5:30 – 7:00 pm. (5:30-6:00 gathering and refreshments; 6:00-7:00 Presentation, Q & A, book signing). Books will be available at the event. We would appreciate an RSVP, but registration is not required. Click HERE to RSVP.
Step into the forests, wetlands, and fields of New England and learn how to truly see wildlife around you. Through stories, field knowledge, and striking imagery, Jackie will share how to locate and observe animals ethically by understanding their behavior, habitats, and subtle signs they leave behind.
Jackie Robidoux has been a wildlife photographer for over twenty years. She dedicates her time to capturing the beauty and intricacies of wildlife through a camera lens while actively working to protect that wildlife and its habitat. She is also a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and educator. As a rehabber, she has gained hands-on experience, providing unique insights into animal behavior and ecology. She runs programs on animal tracking, practicing mindfulness in nature, photography, trail cameras, and wildlife conservation. Over the years, she has participated in studies in New England involving the Canada lynx, eastern coyote, bald eagle, and eastern bluebird. She is currently a member of MRLT and is involved with Maine Howls, studying wild canids in Maine using trail cameras and scat sampling. Her passion is to educate others on the importance of coexisting with wildlife and connecting people to the natural world.
Moosehead Marathon: April 26, 2026. Moosehead Regional Land Trust and Friends of Wilson Ponds sponsored the race once again! A fabulous event!
Event: Thursday April 16, 2026: Talk by Dr. John Hagan, President, Our Climate Common. Conservation of Late Succession / Old Growth Forests in the Moosehead Region. Zoom: 6:00 – 7:30 PM
A recording of the talk can be seen on Utube HERE
(Sponsored by the MRLT and Friends of Wilson Ponds)
In 2024, Our Climate Common, an environmental science organization based in Maine, completed a detailed map of late-successional and old-growth (LSOG) forest for the unorganized townships of Maine using LiDAR (light detection and ranging). LSOG forest typically contains ecological characteristics and species that are not common in forest managed for timber. You can read more about Our Climate Common’s mapping work: Prioritizing LSOG Forest Conservation
MRLT Sponsors Wilderness Dogsled Race – February 7, 2026
MRLT was a proud sponsor of the 2026 Wilderness Dogsled Race. Teams competed in the 60 mile race, 35 mile race, 15 mile race, 4 dog sprint, and skijor races. The event is one of only two long-distance dogsled races in New England, and is a great example of private lands being made available for public use, a long-standing tradition in Maine. You can get a feel for the awesome beauty of the race by clicking on the following link to a slow motion video of a team on the return leg of the 60 mile race, as they go by Lower Wilson Pond: Click Here
Moosehead Lakeshore Journal Article – January 22, 2026
Recreation on Private Land a Privilege, not a Right
Moosehead Regional Land Trust Publishes its First Annual Report – January 16, 2026
State of Maine Seeking Public Comment on Draft Report – Issues Related to Public Access to Privately Owned Lands (submit feedback by Jan. 15, 2026):
Submit Feedback Using Online Form
New York Times Article – November 15, 2025
Mystery Fuels Unease in Maine Woods: Who Bought Burnt Jacket Mountain?
Moosehead Lakeshore Journal Article – October 16, 2025
Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Holds Stakeholder Meeting Exploring Public Access to Private Land
Moosehead Regional Land Trust – Public Outreach Events
Members of the land trust enjoyed chatting with community members at its booth at both the Forest Heritage Days on August 9, 2025 and during the International Sea-Plane Fly-In on September 7, 2025. People asked questions about maps of the Moosehead Lake Region and protected areas, new members joined, and folks purchased hats and T-shirts. We’re getting broad confirmation of the need for a regional land trust to protect access to the north woods and healthy ecosystems.
Moosehead Regional Land Trust Co-sponsors Free Live Plant Identification Workshop: Click Here to Register
August 13, 2025; 1 to 4 PM; Monson Community Center, Monson, ME
Lake Stewards of Maine will run this indoor class. Participants will learn how to identify a number of common native and invasive aquatic plants. This useful program will cover basic botany, plant structure, and life cycles for around 40 aquatic plants. Guests will learn how to use LSM’s “Field Guide to Aquatic Invasive Plants” to determine whether plants are native or invasive, discover which aquatic invasive plants are infesting Maine lakes, and learn how to record and submit data as an invasive plant patrol (IPP) volunteer. This class is required for those seeking Tier 2 IPP Certification through LSM.
This workshop is co-sponsored by Lake Stewards of Maine with Piscataquis County Soil & Water Conservation District, Sebec Lake Association, Friends of Wilson Ponds, Moosehead Regional Land Trust, and Piper Pond Association.
Moosehead Regional Land Trust – 2025 Annual Meeting: Click Here for Details
- Saturday August 2; 2025 at the Center for Moosehead History (Auditorium)
- 6 Lakeview Street, Greenville, ME
- Meeting at 9:00 am;
- Book Talk by Karin Tilberg at 10:30 am (“Loving the North Woods – 25 Years of Historic Conservation in Maine”)
Moosehead Lakeshore Journal Articles – July 24, 2025
MRLT- Protecting Moosehead’s Future
Logbook Legacy – Burnt Jacket’s Hiking Trails Past and Uncertain Future
Moosehead Lakeshore Journal Article – June 12, 2025
A Mountain of Mystery – Burnt Jacket’s Future and the Billionaire Rumor
Moosehead Regional Land Trust receives grant from Maine Community Foundation
May 2025
The Maine Community Foundation awarded the Moosehead Regional Land Trust (MRLT) a $ 10,000 grant to facilitate its work as a young organization. The money will enable the MRLT to achieve the following objectives:
- Developing a robust website to support communication, education, membership and fundraising efforts;
- Implementing secure digital infrastructure to enable online membership enrollment, donations, and data management; and
- Expanding community engagement efforts through educational materials, outreach events, and strategic sponsorships to build name recognition and foster volunteer opportunities.
Rumors of a wealthy landowner swirl after Maine hiking land closes
May 9, 2025 Bangor Daily News – by Zara Norman
Rumors of a super-wealthy landowner are circulating after a newcomer closed a prime piece of hiking land along Moosehead Lake and began building a large waterfront home. Joe Babbitt, the Select Board chair in Beaver Cove, said, “There’s all kinds of gossip out there, saying it’s everyone from the sultan of Egypt to ‘insert your billionaire of choice here.’” The owner bought four parcels totaling more than 1,400 acres for $8.1 million in 2022 through two holding companies in a transaction that included Burnt Jacket Mountain and its trail system, which was closed to the public last October, along with 12,000 feet of lake frontage. The sudden decision to close the land to the public has saddened residents and caused concern for local businesspeople. Carla Ritchie, president of the Moosehead Regional Land Trust, wants to know the landowner’s identity so her organization can work with them to preserve public access to the mountain and its trails.
MRLT helped sponsor the first Annual Moosehead Marathon
April 27, 2025
We joined forces with Friends of Wilson Pond, contributing funds and volunteers to make the first annual Moosehead Marathon a success! 162 runners finished the half-marathon and 13 runners completed the full marathon! Runners braved a challenging course and weather, but were energized by the beauty and serenity of the region. https://mooseheadmarathon.com/
MRLT helped sponsor the 100 Mile Wilderness Dogsled Race
February 8, 2025
We were a proud sponsor of the fabulous 100 Mile Wilderness Dogsled Race! Mushers, dogs, crews, and spectators enjoyed great snow conditions, and sunny weather. The sight of a sleds pulled by beautiful canine athletes silently through the woods is unforgettable! https://www.100milewildernessrace.org/
MRLT featured in the Moosehead Lakeshore Journal
October 2024
In a serendipitous meeting on Big Moose Mountain, three passionate conservationists sparked the idea that would become the Moosehead Regional Land Trust, a groundbreaking initiative to preserve one of Maine’s most treasured wilderness regions.
From Bill Baker’s successful effort to protect a Great Blue Heron rookery to Kay Johnson’s decades of environmental stewardship at Wilson Ponds, this is the story of how local vision and determination are working to safeguard the Moosehead region’s natural heritage for generations to come.