Looking Ahead into 2024 - MTC Annual Report
MTC Members gathered in August for a Strategic Planning Retreat
The Maine Trails Coalition (MTC) started to take shape at statewide gatherings in 2018 and 2019 for those vested in trails in their communities. It was a space to connect, learn and share about successes and challenges with trails and trail infrastructure here in Maine, and from leaders in other states.
As MTC’s work has evolved, more people around the state are becoming aware of MTC, and we are working to grow the reach and presence of the Coalition.
The growth of this work has resulted in incredibly positive response to the Maine Trails Bond (LD 1156) and for continuing support for Love Maine Trails Month. The retention by the Coalition in the tenure of the leadership team and staff has increased not only MTC’s ability to be consistent, but relevant as a new entity in delivering action oriented projects by a “get it done” group that is working in places and spaces trails in Maine have not yet occupied.
The Coalition is now at a moment where we are working on identifying the balance between ideal structure at this stage of the Coalition, and wanting to sustain MTC's spirit of being a true coalition of loosely organized yet passionate volunteers.
The following is a snapshot of MTC’s achievements and path forward in the coming year:
Organization
In August 2023, MTC initiated a Strategic Planning Process and hired Celine Kuhn and Tammy Nichols to guide the coalition through a Strategic Planning process. The Leadership Team had already begun coalescing around a planning process in the years leading up to last August including passing an organizational charter that is acting as a north star currently.
One initial outcome of the process was a majority vote to reaffirm MTC’s commitment to ALL trail types, both motorized and non-motorized.
Expanded capacity by hiring a second part-time contractor to help MTC complete and implement the strategic plan, develop deeper partnerships and expand work groups including mountain biking and motorized trails
Outreach
Over 3,200 page and calendar views for Love Maine Trails Month in 2023 on Maine Trail Finder.
6.5k site views and 11k page views on MTC website and grew e-news to 800 subscribers in 2023.
Lead partner for passage of the Maine Trails Bond (LD 1156). To date 500 organizations and businesses have signed on to support LD 1156. MTC coordinators traveled to Augusta during the 131st legislative sessions to testify in favor of the bond, meet with legislators in closed door strategy sessions and in the halls of the capital to gather support, understand concerns and rally support.
Advocated for a common sense update to include hiking trails that had been omitted in previous enacted bill. So, MTC provided testimony for LD 216: An Act to Amend the Laws Governing Storm Water Management to Provide an Exemption for Trails for Hiking and Other Similar Activities. This bill was signed by the Governor and became law on March 20, 2023.
Organized and hosted “The Street Project” documentary in four locations (Portland, Orono, Augusta, Biddeford). The screenings brought 115 professionals and community members together to learn and discuss how better trails and active transportation infrastructure can be part of the solution to making streets safer.
Presented findings on the “Maine Trail Counts” project at the International Trails Summit in Sparks, NV. This collaborative project is attempting to establish baseline estimates of trail use at selected over 100 Maine locations through the use of StreetLight Pedestrian and Cycling Index Data. This project has a strong partnership between: MTC, University of Maine, Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation and East Coast Greenway Alliance.
Hosted a Round Table discussion at the International Trails Summit, titled “You Can Get There from Here: Maine Trails Coalition’s Approach to Partnership and Collaboration”. In this interactive session attendees heard and responded to how MTC was formed and is evolving from the corner of the desk of coalition members to strategize, raise awareness for Maine’s trails.
MTC sponsored the New England premiere of the World Trails Film Festival and assisted in program planning and delivery for the Maine Outdoor Economy Summit. An amazing collection of seven, inspirational short films of trails around the world.
MTC coordinators have leadership roles in: Maine Outdoor Brands Outdoor Economy Steering Committee, Maine DOT Active Transportation Council, Maine Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Grant Review Committee, the Maine Outdoor Economy Roadmap Steering Committee and the Maine Outdoor Economy Summit (MOES).
Stewardship
The Stewardship Work Group members meet monthly, volunteering at least 130 hours of work to MTC.
Hosted the second annual Love Maine Trails Month (LMTM) an evolution of the original Ugly Duckling Project, encouraging volunteerism and raising awareness of the ethic of care and magnitude of scale required to maintain Maine’s trails. Five LMTM award winners received $1,000 each (support provided by the Onion Foundation) to support their respective trail projects.
MTC partners with Maine Trail Finder to list events and receive reporting.
There were 81 reported LMTM stewardship days. Participating host organizations had 269 volunteers contribute 1,520 plus hours, equivalent to $48,336 of paid labor. Over 93 people dedicated 755+ hours to organizing and hosting LMTM events.
Trail Until Rail
The Trail Until Rail Work Group members meet monthly, contributing at least 200 hours of volunteer labor to MTC.
Submitted comment on the Maine Dept. of Transportation’s first-ever Maine State Active Transportation Plan.
Encouraged hundreds of letters of support and provided testimony of:
LD 404: Resolve, to Direct the Department of Transportation to Implement the Recommendations of the Mountain Division Rail Use Advisory Council, which passed.
LD 1450: An Act to Fund the Recommendations of the Mountain Division Rail Use Advisory Council. LD 1450 will help to fund the building of the Mountain Division Trail from Standish to Fryeburg. This bill is pending.
LD 209: An Act to Authorize an Interim Use Trail on the Berlin Subdivision Rail Corridor (corridor where the proposed Casco Bay Trail would run).
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The DEI Work Group members meet monthly, contributing at least 130 hours of volunteer labor to Maine Trails Coalition. This work group provides ongoing resource management and education to the trails community. In addition the work group is providing guidance throughout the Strategic Planning process as we review the mission statement, vision statement, core values, and charter. MTC aims to center DEI as an overarching principle of MTC’s efforts and collaborates with partners to cultivate DEI as core values for trail managers and users.
Goals and Outcomes for 2024
Stewardship & Outreach
Continue success and raise awareness of the Maine Trails Bond, LD 1156: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Promote the Design, Development and Maintenance of Trails for Outdoor Recreation and Active Transportation
Host and build the presence and impact of Love Maine Trails Month. Including seeking additional support for partnering with Maine Trail Finder on data collection and hosting for LMTM.
Continue the Maine Trail Counts data collection project to establish a baseline of trail visitor data that will help guide future data collection and decision making across the entire state.
Improve frequency and content of internal and external communications, with the goal of increasing reach of e-news, website and social communications by 10%.
Events
Organize and host a Maine Trails Symposium focused on networking and skill building in the trail building and planning communities.
Organize and host a MTC Gathering - similar to the original convening meeting that founded the Coalition with a guest speaker and networking options for those with an interest in trails in Maine.
Trails
Expand Trail Until Rail Work Group to encompass all trails Connecting Communities. It will be necessary to rename this work group. MTC has been so focused on access to the 5-7 rail corridors that we have paid less attention to regional connections that do not have rail involvement. This is a necessary, big move for MTC.
Create a MTC Frequently Asked Question handout that coordinates with trail until rail corridors and connecting community trails.
Continue to develop serving as primary liaison to Maine DOT Commissioner's Office.
Strategic Plan
As the Coalition continues beyond where it ever imagined, it is focused on determining what the course ahead will look like. At the five year mark, MTC is grappling with what the next five years looks like and beyond. The biggest question is whether to become an official 501c3, remain with a fiscal sponsor, or perhaps a third or fourth solution is out there. Having undergone two rounds of a strategic planning process, we are working to complete the process, decide what the structure of MTC will be, and set a plan for the next five years.
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We know there’s lots more to do and we couldn’t have gotten this far without the dedication of our dedicated members and partners! This is just the beginning- there is much more ahead on the horizon!
> If you’d like to learn more about our work and get involved, or have any questions, please contact us.
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Happy Trails!
