Meet Adam Fisher, at the Helm of Maine’s New Trail Program
Last November was a milestone for Maine’s great outdoors. Just a year after voters showed overwhelming support for the 2024 Maine Trails Bond, the Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) officially brought the effort full circle by announcing the first round of Maine Trails Program (MTP) awards.
Leading the charge into this new era is Adam Fisher, BPL’s Maine Trails Program Manager. We caught up with Adam to talk about his journey from Alaska to Maine, the whirlwind of launching a multi-million dollar program, and where to find the best pastries in the Pine Tree State.
From the Last Frontier to the Pine Tree State
Adam grew up in Southeast Alaska and knows a thing or two about rugged landscapes. After earning his MS in Watershed Science from Utah State University, life brought him to Maine in 2019 when his husband began graduate work at USM. For Adam, the move felt like a homecoming.
"Moving to Maine meant a return to the kind of rural communities I knew growing up," Adam says. He and his husband settled in Gorham with their two dogs; Tucker, a seasoned 10-year-old hound, and Pepita, a high-energy one-year-old Australian Shepherd.
Before joining the BPL, Adam spent four years as a scientist with the EPA. But when a 2025 restructuring gave him the choice between moving to NYC and keeping his job or staying in Maine, the choice was easy. He wanted to stay rooted here, doing work that offered a more direct connection to the community.
Diving into the Deep End
Adam hit the ground running in July 2025. With the first MTP deadline only three months away, he jumped straight into the thick of program administration. The stakes were high, and the demand was even higher.
The hard work paid off. On November 26, 2025, the BPL team sent out award letters to 44 organizations, notifying them that their proposals had won grants totaling $7.5 million.
“In the federal government, I felt like I was five steps removed from the outcome of my work,” Adam explains. “With the Maine Trails Program, I’m just two steps removed. I can go out on a trail, see what needs repair, and observe the project all the way to completion.”
Looking Ahead: More Trails, Less Paperwork
The first round of the new grant program was a resounding success, but Adam isn't resting on his laurels. In the inaugural round, BPL received 108 submissions covering all 16 Maine counties, reflecting the huge need for trails safety improvements, erosion control, infrastructure enhancements, and expansions.
Adam’s goal for the future is to make the program more "approachable and accessible." He’s already looking at ways to:
Simplify the process: Implementing a simple online application for the next round.
Encourage collaboration: Facilitating regional applications so smaller organizations can team up.
Incorporate feedback: "I come at it with empathy," Adam says regarding the complex application process. "The program is new, and there is a lot of room for it to grow."
Life Beyond the Clock
When he isn't streamlining grant applications, you’ll likely find Adam on the move. He’s an avid trail runner, a Nordic skier, and a brave soul who plans to participate in a winter swimming festival in February.
He’s also a fan of less athletic pursuits, with a penchant for visiting local bakeries. He’s always looking for recommendations for a great croissant or a cardamom bun to fuel his next adventure.
What’s next for Adam?
The second round of the Maine Trails Program opens in early 2026, with projects due in June. Adam hopes to see another 100+ applications. In the meantime, he’s eager to get out into the community. Whether it’s a statewide conference or a local trail-building event, Adam is looking to connect with the people who make Maine’s trails possible.
Is your organization hosting an event, or maybe you’d like to show Adam around your trails or facilities? Reach out directly and send him an invite: Adam.C.N.Fisher@maine.gov (207) 955-0157.
Beyond Maine Trails
Favorite non-Maine Trail: Canyonlands National Park. "The rock formations and the Colorado and Green Rivers are just gorgeous."
What he’s reading: He recently finished On Trails by Robert Moore, which explores everything from elephant paths to hiking trails, and North Woods by Daniel Mason.
Why Maine? The coastal landscape reminds him of home, and he loves the way Mainers look out for one another.
Recommendations sought: If you see him in the office or out on the trail, he always welcomes local bakery recommendations!
