What a year we’ve had!

Just over a year ago, the Maine Trails Coalition was little more than an idea, kept alive by a group of trail supporters — all volunteers — meeting monthly in whatever conference room was available.

We didn’t have a website…but we had a vision. Over the following months, the communications team worked feverishly to get us a logo, a web and social media presence, and introduce us to the world. Other teams focused on improving options for funding trails around Maine, highlighting and supporting responsible trail stewardship, ensuring equitable access to trails, and crafting our vision for a statewide Rail-Trail network.

It’s hard to believe where we find ourselves today: a robust, growing, and increasingly well-known organization with a successful track record of projects and policy accomplishments! Here’s a quick rundown of some of what the Maine Trails Coalition has achieved this year:

In the Legislature

• LD 1370 (sponsored by Rep. Art Bell of Yarmouth), directing MDOT to develop and adopt an active transportation plan that considers rail corridors and submit it to the transportation committee by January 2023, has been signed by the Governor. A focus of this effort is to establish the Merrymeeting Trail from Brunswick to Gardiner, the Casco Bay Trail and Royal River Greenbelt from Portland to Auburn, the Mountain Division Trail from Portland to Fryeburg, and to extend the Down East Sunrise Trail from Ellsworth through the Moosehorn to Calais — all joining existing trails in the communities through which they pass.

• LD 1133 (the MDOT Omnibus bill) has been signed into law, creating an advisory council process for trail-until-rail projects so towns can request consideration of alternative uses for unused rail corridors (including the priority projects listed above).

• LD 672 (sponsored by Sen. Rick Bennett of Oxford) has been signed with an emergency clause, moving MDOT to initiate the advisory council process for the Mt. Division trail immediately.

Members of the MTC Leadership Team joined Governor Janet Mills for a ceremonial signing of LD 1370, the “Trail until Rail” bill

Trail funding

With partners, MTC led the effort to increase funding for trails through the Recreational Trails program, which is managed by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry and funded through federal apportionment by the Maine Department of Transportation. Following our work on a bill sponsored by Rep. Nicole Grohoski, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by both state agencies that will increase the apportioned money for the next two years from 65% to 95%. This represents nearly $500,000 more annually in funding for recreational trails!

The “Ugly Duckling” contest

This contest was created by the MTC Trail Stewardship Work Group, and made possible by generous grants from the Onion Foundation and Quimby Family Foundation. Fourteen applicants from around the state – including towns, schools, land trusts, and other nonprofits – applied for help to fix trail problems that in many cases have been exacerbated by dramatic increases in use during the pandemic. Ultimately, the Town of Jay was selected to receive a professional trail assessment and one week of fieldwork for the Maine Conservation Corps, at a value of $5,000!

A vision for a statewide Rail-Trail network

Last Fall, MTC released the Maine Rail-Trail Plan 2020-2030 — a plan for a statewide network of multi-use rail trails. The Plan calls for the construction of thirteen specific rail-trail projects over the next decade, and at least five prospective projects for development over the following decade. Each of these projects connects with and extends existing multi-use trails and creates regional connections between communities across the state.

The vision helped inform successful legislation this session, including LD 1370, and has received attention and coverage in local and regional media.

Public awareness and engagement

A number of important public-facing initiatives were rolled out this year to help introduce MTC to the public and tap into the deep support for trails that exists in Maine. These included:

• The #LoveMaineTrails social media campaign that inspired hundreds of Mainers to share images of their favorite trails and connect with MTC.

• A live virtual celebration of trails on April 21 called #LoveMaineTrails LIVE, joined and viewed by hundreds of Mainers and featuring live updates from trails around the state.

• Placement of media reports, op-eds, and letters to the editor that support MTC’s goals and build public awareness about our issues.

…and we’re just getting started!

These important steps are just the beginning — and we know there’s lots more to do. If you’re not already on our mailing list, please be sure to sign up today so we can keep you informed about future developments. And if you have questions, feel free to email us at mainetrailscoalition@gmail.com.

Happy Trails!