The IAT Debuts at American Trails International Trail Symposium

Maine Chapter President Don Hudson made the trek to Fountain Hills, Arizona in mid-April to tell the story of the International Appalachian Trail at the first International Trails Symposium convened at the 25th anniversary meeting of American Trails.
American Trails supports local, regional and long distance trails and greenways, whether they be in backcountry, rural or urban areas. American Trails’ goal is to support America’s trails by finding common ground and promoting cooperation among all trail interests. Since 1988, American Trails has been involved in everything from training trails advocates to increasing accessible trail opportunities for people with disabilities.
This year’s biennial conference (http://www.americantrails.org/2013/index.html) was billed as the first International Trails Symposium and it aimed to bring together people from throughout the country and from across borders to share ideas, learn new techniques in trail planning, building and management. ~American Trails touts itself as the only trail organization that works on behalf of all trails – hiking, bicycling, mountain biking, horseback riding, water trails, snowshoeing, x-country skiing, trail motorcycling, ATV’s, snowmobiling and four-wheeling.

Don was asked to speak on the opening afternoon about the history and current status of the IAT. Don shared the story – now well known to IAT friends – of the establishment of a connecting trail to the world famous Appalachian Trail linking the three highest mountains in Maine, New Brunswick and southern Quebec, ending at the foot of the cliffs at Cap Gaspé. The IAT was extended to the spectacular coastal and mountainous terrain of the western peninsula of Newfoundland, and a few years later sections in Nova Scotia and on Prince Edward Island were completed.

An invitation to tell the story of the IAT in Scotland in June 2009 began the movement of the trail to the eastern flank of the North Atlantic Basin. ~IAT chapters were established quickly Greenland and Scotland, followed in rapid succession by others that ring the North Sea, including Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, and England — as well as in Iceland and the Faröe Islands. The former five countries are amongst those that participate in a European regional trail initiative called Coast Alive. Spain came next, followed by France and Wales, and most recently the Isle of Man.
Among other workshops, Don participated in one on Trail Towns that explored the issues — both obstacles and benefits — of communities close to long distance trails. ~As the IAT becomes better known, trail villages and towns will become increasingly important, providing access to the trail and supporting people who venture out on the world’s longest network of hiking trails.

19th Annual Meeting of The Maine Chapter

NINETEENTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MAINE CHAPTER
INTERNATIONAL APPALACHIAN TRAIL
SHIN POND VILLAGE, MAINE
MAY 2-3-4, 2013

A group of approximately forty scientists, artists, writers, and natural resource professionals representing government, non-government, recreation, and business organizations descended on Shin Pond Village, Maine to attend the Annual Meeting of the Maine Chapter of the International Appalachian Trail (MCIAT).

THURSDAY MAY 2
The program commenced on May, 2nd at the Lumberman’s Museum, Patten, Maine where Director Rhonda Brophy graciously treated attendees to coffee, wine and cheese / crackers, combined with an interesting presentation and exhibits of historic photos, art, and artifacts of the lumber and forest industry in Maine. The meeting also coincided with the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Lumberman’s Museum.

Dick Anderson, Rhonda Brophy, Herb Hartman
In late afternoon, the attendees travelled a short distance to Shin Pond Village for a social hour followed by a delicious dinner prepared by proprietors Terry and Craig Hill.
The highlight of the evening was a fascinating presentation on a new internet screening methodology and technique for plant identification given by Don Hudson entitled, “Go Botany”. Throw away your Gray’s Manual of Botany?

Don Hudson
FRIDAY MAY 3
This day was an informative full program day of presentations by a variety of conservation, recreational, artists and natural resource leaders, planners, authors and organizations, such as: International Appalachian Trail, Baxter Park, Friends of Baxter Park, Elliotsville Plantation Inc., Department of Transportation, New Brunswick IAT, Pinhoti Trail, Alabama, Forest Society of Maine, Published Authors, and University of Maine Farmington. (see web site program).
The late afternoon included a brief annual business meeting of both the members of the MCIAT and the board of the MCIAT.
A social and attitude adjustment interval furnished an opportunity for convivial conversation and professional exchange, and once again Shin Pond Village provided an excellent supper.

An interesting and timely presentation of the “History of Mining in Maine” from 18th century to present was given by Fred Beck, a professional geologist and long time resident of Maine. He spoke of a full spectrum of mined commodities in Maine, including; clay(bricks / ceramics), peat (agricultural / energy), pegmatites (semi-precious gems), bog iron, base metals (copper, zinc, lead, etc.) and precious metals (gold / silver).
SATURDAY MAY 4
Two morning field trips marked the events on an exceptionally beautiful day. One group of hardy trekkers lead by Earl Raymond ascended Mt. Chase and another climbed to Sugarloaf Mountain lead by State Geologist, Bob Marvinney.
Respectfully submitted,
Walter Anderson, Program Chairman
Additional photos:

Dick Anderson, Poul Jorgenson, Hikers Julie King & Ed Talone, Don Hudson

Julie King and John Calhoun "Mother Natures Son"

Bob Marvinney

Howard Whitcomb

Lucas St. Clair – Elliostville Plantation

Karin Tilberg – Forest Society of Maine

David Little

Barbara Bentley – Friends of Baxter Park

NINETEENTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MAINE CHAPTER

INTERNATIONAL APPALACHIAN TRAIL – MAY 2-3-4, 2013

A group of approximately forty scientists, artists, writers, and natural resource professionals representing government, non-government, recreation, and business organizations descended on Shin Pond Village, Maine to attend the Annual Meeting of the Maine Chapter of the International Appalachian Trail (MCIAT).
THURSDAY MAY 2 – The program commenced at the Lumberman’s Museum, Patten, Maine where Director Rhnoda Brophy graciously treated attendees to coffee, wine and cheese/crackers, combined with an interesting presentation and exhibits of historic photos, art, and artifacts of the lumber and forest industry in Maine. The meeting also coincided with the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Lumberman’s Museum.

In late afternoon, the attendees travelled a short distance to Shin Pond Village for a social hour followed by a delicious dinner prepared by proprietors Terry and Craig Hill.
The highlight of the evening was a fascinating presentation on a new internet screening methodology and technique for plant identification given by Don Hudson entitled, “Go Botany”. Throw away your Gray’s Manual of Botany?

FRIDAY MAY 3 – This day was an informative full program day of presentations by a variety of conservation, recreational, artists and natural resource leaders, planners, authors and organizations, such as: International Appalachian Trail, Baxter Park, Friends of Baxter Park, Elliotsville Plantation Inc., Department of Transportation, New Brunswick IAT, Pinhoti Trail, Alabama, Forest Society of Maine, Published Authors, and University of Maine Farmington.
The late afternoon included a brief annual business meeting of both the members of the MCIAT and the board of the MCIAT.
A social and attitude adjustment interval furnished an opportunity for convivial conversation and professional exchange, and once again Shin Pond Village provided an excellent supper.

An interesting and timely presentation of the “History of Mining in Maine” from 18th century to present was given by Fred Beck, a professional geologist and long time resident of Maine. He spoke of a full spectrum of mined commodities in Maine, including; clay(bricks / ceramics), peat (agricultural / energy), pegmatites (semi-precious gems), bog iron, base metals (copper, zinc, lead, etc.) and precious metals (gold / silver).
SATURDAY MAY 4 – Two morning field trips marked the events on an exceptionally beautiful day. One group of hardy trekkers lead by Earl Raymond ascended Mt. Chase and another climbed to Sugarloaf Mountain lead by State Geologist, Bob Marvinney.
Respectfully submitted,
Walter Anderson, Program Chairman
Additional Photos:

2013 IAT Hikers

Dick Anderson, Poul Jorgensen (from NB Trails), and Don Hudson give a formal send-off to Julie King and Ed Talone, who headed out from Shin Pond, Maine for Newfoundland & Labrador on the IAT on May 4th.
You can follow Ed & Julies hiking adventures at:http://edjuliehikingadventures.shutterfly.com