Month: September 2011

IAT founder, Dick Anderson, was honored on Friday, August 26th, with the Green Heart Award of the Quimby Family Foundation. The award was presented by iconic land conservationist and Burt’s Bees founder, Roxanne Quimby, at the grants award luncheon held each August by the foundation. Dick was received with warm and enthusiastic applause when Quimby walked to the microphone to announce the 2011 winner of QFF’s Green Heart Award.

Roxanne Quimby presenting to Dick Anderson

Quimby told the luncheon audience that the Green Heart Award is presented to someone who has not only accomplished great things in their working life, but someone for whom respect for nature and wild places is at the core of their being. Dick’s career spans over 50 years, beginning shortly after college at the University of Maine in 1955 to work as a fisheries biologist, notably as Maine’s first land-locked salmon specialist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. When the old Portland Museum of Natural History merged with the original Audubon Society in Maine in 1969, Dick was chosen as the first modern executive director of the new Maine Audubon Society. Dick next served for 8 years as the Commissioner of the Department of Conservation during the tenure of Governor Joe Brennan. Leadership of the bold caribou reintroduction project followed. It was during a visit to the Chic Choc mountains of the Gaspé Peninsula for the Caribou project in 1989 that the idea of extending the historical Appalachian Trail from Maine to Quebec was born. The International Appalachian Trail was launched in 1994, keeping Dick very busy for the past 17 and a half years. Throughout his long career, Roxanne noted that "Dick’s energy, enthusiasm and dedication to the conservation of nature never waned."

Don Hudson, long-time Secretary of the IAT, is the only other person ever to receive the GREEN HEART AWARD. He received his award from Roxanne in August 2009 for a wide range of lifetime achievements including his service as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chewonki Foundation, Maine Representative on the International Gulf of Maine Council and as an original proposer of the International Appalachian Trail with Dick and Gov. Joe Brennan.

Don Hudson and Dick Anderson with Green Hearts

Dozens of representatives of non-profit organizations in the arts, education and the environment were on hand to receive their grants, including two representatives from the Maine Chapter of the IAT, Don Hudson and Seth Levy. The Maine Chapter grant will help with the production of a special online trail guide as well as informational kiosks and long-range planning for maintenance of the 30-mile section of the IAT east of Baxter State Park.

Walter Anderson presents Quimby grant to Seth Levy, IAT Board member

Walter Anderson was also praised and honored at the Quimby Family Foundation luncheon. Walter was recognized for four years of service as a QFF Board Member, during which time he was a great champion for proposals aimed at increasing understanding of natural phenomena as well as those promoting science and science education. Walter is also an enthusiastic supporter of arts and music, and Roxanne Quimby noted that he had made great contributions to the Board’s deliberations, offering a keen sense of humor in addition to his careful and critical evaluation of proposals.

Water Anderson, QFF Board Member and IAT Board Member

Story By Don Hudson

The Maine Chapter Board of Directors met at the Bear Brew Pub in Orono on Thursday, September 8th. Among the usual review of finances and progress of thru-hikers, the Board focused on plans for the Annual General Meeting of the Chapters to be held at the Gîte du Mont Albert on the Gaspé (September 16-19) and the Annual Meeting of the Appalachian Long Distance Hiker’s Association (ALDHA) to be held on Columbus Day weekend in North Adams, Massachusetts. Walter Anderson also presented initial plans for the Maine Chapter Annual Meeting (May 17-19, 2012) to be held at Shin Pond Village.

In addition to the usual review of activities, the Board also discussed up-coming trail work on the alternate high water route from the Wassataquoik lean-to east of Katahdin Lake to the bridge over Wassataquoik Stream just upstream from the confluence with the East Branch of the Penobscot (October 12-15). In the event that the stream is too high to ford, this route can be used by hikers to access the trail north to Deasey and Lunksoos Mountains.

The Board also discussed a proposal by Ralph Brill of Brill Galleries in North Adams, Massachusetts to produce a book of photographs about the International Appalachian Trail — the Pangaea Project. The book will be assembled by a team of photographers, and it will tell the story of the trail from its beginning in Maine, New Brunswick and Quebec to its transatlantic development in Greenland, Iceland, Europe and North Africa. The Board authorized Dick Anderson to sign a letter of support and cooperation for Ralph to help him secure financial backing for the project.

Of special note, the first order of business at the outset of the meeting was the presentation to out-going Treasurer, Bob LeMieux of special recognition for his work managing the finances of the Chapter so effectively over the past four years. When Bob tendered his resignation in August, Dick Anderson decided that it was time for him to step aside as President of the Chapter, a post he has held since April 1994. Dick offered to serve as the new Treasurer, and he proposed that Don Hudson be nominated as the Chapter’s new president. Finally, Seth Levy was nominated to fill Don’s role as Secretary of the Chapter. The Board took up the nominations following the recognition of Bob LeMieux, and the new slate of officers was elected unanimously.

Out-Going Treasurer – Bob LeMieux (photo by Bill Duffy)

Copy of Bob’s Award

Out-Going President, Dick Anderson and Incoming President, Don Hudson (photo by Bill Duffy)

Following the vote of the Board of Directors, Dick Anderson shared his thoughts about the status of the Maine Chapter and the Trail overall.

I am retiring as President of the Maine Chapter of the International Appalachian Trail after 15 years. I feel it is time for new, younger leadership to take on the challenges of being involved in continued international development and the solidification of the tremendous expansion of the trail that has occurred in the last 10 years. The Maine Chapter IAT has also made great improvements in the Maine section of the trail and the organizational structure exists to continue excellent maintenance and explore new, improved trail locations.

I really appreciate all the great support I have received from the many volunteers that have developed the Maine section of the IAT and the many Board members that have been so involved in the smooth functioning of the Maine Chapter over the last 15 years. In addition, I thank all the members who have given us moral and financial support. This project has truly been a wonderful example of what a committed group of people, working together, can accomplish and I have been really happy to have played a part in the

development of the IAT.

I wish my successor, Don Hudson, great success and remain committed to continued involvement in all aspects of the development of the International Appalachian Trail.

Don Hudson shared his thoughts as well as he accepted his new role.

When Dick Anderson asked me to help him establish the International Appalachian Trail in October, 1993, I jumped at the chance. Dick Davies and Chloe Chunn joined us, and on Earth Day (April 22) 1994, Joe Brennan announced the goal to link the highest mountains in Maine, New Brunswick and Quebec with a long distance trail. Many others in Maine and across the region soon joined the effort, and on Earth Day 2001 we celebrated the completion of the trail at Cap Gaspé in Parc Forillon, Quebec. None of us could have imagined that the trail would eventually make its way across the Atlantic, from Greenland and Iceland to Northern Europe and North Africa.

Dick Anderson has done a remarkable job for nearly 18 years to keep the Maine Chapter of the IAT moving forward, as well as to establish a strong working network of chapters in Canada and Europe. Following his lead, all of us in North America have negotiated trail easements, built lean-tos and chalets, secured access through new territory, and established strong working relationships with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the long distance hiking community. I look forward very much to working on these and many other projects in the coming years, and I am especially pleased that Dick will continue to work with us as the Treasurer of the Maine Chapter.

The jump across the Atlantic presents wonderful opportunities for linking ancient trails and byways with the vibrant hiking tradition in the United States and Canada. Our routes through the Appalachian Mountains are young by comparison with paths through the West Highland glens of Scotland, the Roman roads of the Villuercas in Spain, or the paths that link Berger villages in the High Atlas of Morocco. Nevertheless, we share common goals for bringing people together in appreciation of grand landscapes and open spaces.

On a cold winter evening in January 1994, Dick proposed a simple vision to our small planning group — Nature knows no boundaries! We embraced that vision in a heart beat, and it has served us well for nearly two decades. The International Appalachian Trail will find new routes, new friends, and new leaders in the coming years, and I look forward to carrying Dick’s vision into that bright future.

A work trip is being planned for October 12–15. The trip will be to the Wassataquoik Campsite east-of-Baxter. The work will include clearing on the High-water Alternate trail route and continued clearing along the trail between the Wassataquoik Stream and the summit of Deasey Mountain. Participants will camp at the Campsite.

Those interested should contact Dave Rand, work trip coordinator–at drand@ainop.com to sign up or get more details.