What was your very first impression when you started working with the High Peaks Alliance, and did anything surprise you?

I had heard about High Peaks Alliance before, from when I grew up in Farmington. I only knew the basics about their goals, mainly to keep land access in the area, and I didn’t know exactly what their stewardship region looked like. It turned out to be a much bigger area than I expected. I was also surprised, early on, by just how much collaboration there was with other land trusts and community organizations. Everything is community-oriented. 

What does a typical day look like for you as a High Peaks Alliance intern?

Every day has been different, so it’s hard to describe a typical one. I’ve been splitting my time between outreach projects and events and working with the trail crew. My days range from building bog bridges and rock steps on hiking trails to writing brochures and reaching out to people in advance of volunteer days.

Can you share a funny or unexpected experience you had while working on a project?

I definitely didn’t expect, when I started this internship, to be running a dunk tank for the High Peaks Outdoor Heritage Festival. I already knew about the event since it’s where the Moose Lottery is held, this year in Farmington. High Peaks Alliance was fundraising money to help send kids to a Junior Guides Summer Program in Rangeley, so I got to help facilitate the dunking of my middle school principal, along with other local figures. That was pretty fun.

 

Did you have a favorite place that you discovered during your time in this region?

It’s hard to pick a favorite place, especially with so many of Maine’s tallest mountains around, and having already gotten to explore so much growing up. Some of the new places I’ve discovered include the Berry Pickers Trail on Saddleback, which was cool to work on for a day with the trail crew. I had been up Saddleback so many times, but never explored that trail. I had also never been up Quill Hill before, which is absolutely stunning. I visited Quill Hill multiple times, first for fun to use the public pizza oven, and later to help with some filming for work.

What was the most challenging part of your work plan, and how did you get through it?

I had so many new experiences this summer that sometimes I would show up for a workday or event and not know entirely what to expect. For example, being with the trail crew the first few times and learning how to use so many new tools. It was really fun, and I’m glad that a lot of what I did was new to me because I learned so much from it.

What’s one way the Alliance’s work has directly impacted a local person or a community, from your perspective, that you got to see?

I love how rewarding it feels when we’re out working on a trail or fixing up a kiosk, doing work on our properties or our partner’s properties, and seeing people come through and use those trails—whether they’re hikers, people out for a short walk, or in the birding community. Recently, I helped out at a volunteer day at Perham Stream Birding Trail, where we were putting in switchbacks on a trail that was too steep. While we were in the middle of the workday, somebody came through who was the first person to walk on the new switchbacks, and I thought that was super cool.

How has working with the Alliance changed your understanding of the importance of public access to the outdoors?

Before I worked with High Peaks Alliance, I of course appreciated conserved areas with public access as a recreator. But I didn’t entirely realize all the different threats that were going on, or what specific areas in the region were likely to be impacted by development going forward. Getting familiar with some of the specifics, like what areas could be developed in the next five to ten years, helped me understand the importance of what we’re doing. I hope to carry that awareness wherever I end up next.

Have you witnessed or helped with a project where local businesses or organizations teamed up with High Peaks Alliance, and what did you learn from that collaboration? What were your, what were your takeaways?

I worked on a few different collaborative projects. One of my favorite activities this summer was getting out on group hikes with TRAC, a very friendly group of hikers based out of Rangeley. They tell some of the worst (best) jokes ever on their hikes, and are all really passionate about the outdoors. Some of them know the area super well, and it was nice to get to know a community that wasn’t necessarily all people from the land trust world. It was a good chance to interact with all types of community members. 

Was there a moment where you felt, where you especially felt connected or a part of the community?

On one of my days driving to work, a wheel fell off my car on the way down the hill into Rangeley, and every single person who drove by offered to stop and help. I thought that was really sweet and showed how tight-knit the community is.

What advice would you give someone who wants to get involved with the High Peaks Alliance or make a difference in their community with their land trust?

Everyone has something to contribute, and you can start with what you like doing- because it’s probably something that will be helpful! If you’re an outdoor recreator, for example, you can be our eyes on the trail. If you’re on a land trust property and see blowdowns or signage errors, you can take pictures and help communicate that to them.

If you don’t know where to start, Leave No Trace trainings are a great way to learn how to be more responsible outdoors. Starting with what you enjoy is the most useful thing you can do.