Our Mission

“To Champion the establishment, use, and stewardship of trails in Maine.”

Who We Are

The Maine Trails Coalition (MTC) is a grassroots organization formed in 2019 to be a statewide voice for trail users, supporters, and advocates. With trails serving as a major component of the health of citizens and the outdoor recreation economy in Maine, we believe an inclusive statewide group dedicated to advancing trails will benefit communities and the people who live, work, visit, and play all across the state.

The Maine Trails Coalition (MTC) is made up of member organizations that represent diverse trail users across the state. Members are the committed and critical working core team of MTC and comprise the decision-making body of the coalition. Members must be a landowner (including Wabanaki Nations), land manager, land trust or easement monitoring agent, trail users’ group, or trail related business. Members can also be other nonprofit and philanthropic organizations as deemed appropriate and eligible by the leadership. Member organizations must be able to advance the efforts of MTC through the advocacy, outreach, and/or education efforts of their organizations. 

MTC’s current organizational structure consists of a governing Leadership Group, specialized Work Groups, Co-Coordinators, a part-time Project Coordinator and a part-time Program Manager. Maine Trails Coalition is fiscally sponsored by the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust, an accredited land trust and an IRS approved 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

Core Value Statement

Maine Trails Coalition values equity, inclusivity, and strong community partnerships in its pursuit of a sustainable and accessible trail network. We are  committed to employ active listening, collaboration, innovation, and trusted communication to achieve meaningful results.

Our Vision

The Maine Trails Coalition is working to build a future for the State of Maine where:

  • An extensive network of trails connects communities and is widely accessible to all.

  • The public has a deep, informed appreciation of the value and benefits of trails and understands the unique role they play in Maine’s quality of life.

  • State and local governments actively support trails as a key pillar of economic development, tourism, active transportation, and public health. 

  • Communities across the state have the knowledge and tools to support new trail projects, and regularly do so.

  • An ethic and practice of stewardship and caring for trails is alive and well in our communities.

  • A diverse coalition of voices and perspectives is engaged in a robust, ongoing conversation about how we can best champion trails in Maine.

Watch this short video that was partially filmed during our Strategic Planning Retreat in August 2023.

Maine Trails Coalition

2025 Leadership Group

Jon Kachmar, Portland Trails

Steve Kasacek, Outdoor Sport Institute, Katahdin Area Trails

Emily Paskewicz, East Coast Greenway

Eliza Townsend, Appalachian Mt. Club

Dan Bassett, Bicycle Coalition of Maine

Ryan Gates, Coastal Mountains Land Trust

Jenny Ward, Interim Director

Teams

Collaborative working Teams help further MTC’s mission and vision. Some groups form to address a specific task and disband when this work is completed. Others are standing working groups with membership that changes as the work evolves. Work group membership is comprised of a mix of members from the Leadership Team and members who are participating at supporter or advisory levels. If you are interested in learning more or getting involved with any of these current working groups, please contact us.

Advocacy and Coalition Building - This team is dedicated to strengthening the voice of Maine’s trail community. It focuses on building relationships with policymakers, stakeholders, and the public to ensure trails remain a funding and policy priority.

Advisory Team - This group comprises experienced individuals from across Maine’s trail landscape who offer guidance and strategic insight. The Advisory Team helps ensure MTC's decisions are well-informed and community centered.

Maine Trails Program Support Team - With the launch of the state’s bond-funded Maine Trails Program, this team provides support and coordination to ensure its success

Trail-until-Rail - is focused on creating opportunities and advocating for intermodal transportation and recreation along existing unused rail corridors, preserving those corridors and connecting communities throughout the state of Maine through biking, walking, and running rail-trail systems.

Trail Workforce Team - The Trail Force Team is focused on strengthening and expanding Maine’s trail workforce. As a convening body, this team partners to bring together practitioners, organizations, and educators to assess needs, share resources, and build capacity within the trail building and maintenance sector. Their work directly supports MTC’s long-term goals around workforce development and sustainability.

Get Involved with Maine Trails Coalition*

Whether you’re ready to collaborate as a Member organization or lend your expertise as an Advisor, your involvement helps strengthen trails and communities across Maine.

You may also just want to stay informed and up to date on all things trails! Supporters can participate in a variety of ways at a level to best meet the needs of the body they are representing and that will allow them opportunities to connect with other trail enthusiasts. Supporters of MTC learn about the MTC mission and work, and can also help support and share MTC’s vision for trails in Maine.

Supporters include subscribers to MTC’s email newsletter, followers of MTC’s social media accounts, and attendees of public MTC events.

For more details on getting involved with MTC, please reach out.

*This section is a work-in-progress. Stay tuned for more details & updates!