Crafting a Summer of Discovery
This summer, early mornings at trailheads across the High Peaks came alive with laughter, the clink of trail tools, and birdsong. At the center of it all was Bridget, a local college student who returned home, determined to give back to the land that shaped her. As High Peaks Alliance’s intern, Bridget threw herself into every project, helping run the dunk tank at the Outdoor Heritage Festival, restoring access on the Berry Pickers Trail, and connecting with visitors on Tumbledown. Each day brought new lessons, whether learning to greet first-time hikers or mastering the Pulaski, with a supportive community behind her every step.
Bridget’s journey highlights what’s special about stewardship in the High Peaks: volunteers, trail crews, and the generosity of many coming together to keep trails open and wild places thriving.
With support from caring individuals, transformative experiences like Bridget’s summer are possible. Every contribution helps restore trails, protect wild places, and create opportunities for people to connect with nature. As the year draws to a close, your gift—of any amount—can help us continue this important work and expand access to these special places in 2026. Will you join us in making a lasting impact before the end of the year?
2025 Milestones, Powered by Community
- Bemis Track was restored and reopened after devastating 2023 storms, reconnecting an 8-mile corridor that serves ATV riders, hikers, climbers, and local businesses.
- The first-ever Recreation Ranger crew completed a season stewarding more than 100 miles of trail while providing workforce development opportunities for young people.
- A new stewardship partnership with the Phillips Historical Society brought care to Daggett Rock, where Recreation Rangers and volunteers cleared overgrown vegetation, removed poison ivy, and improved trail access.
- Thousands of people were reached at 45 community events, sharing the High Peaks mission, programs, and volunteer opportunities.
- $530,000 was raised to purchase and conserve Mosher Hill Falls Community Forest, with grant work underway and closing expected next spring.
- A new project was launched to conserve 1.7 miles of Sandy River frontage, with $400,000 needed to make this vision a reality.
These accomplishments show what’s possible when people come together to protect access and open spaces. Yet, Bridget’s experience reminds us that threats to public access and the pressures of development are ever-present. Land that feels timeless can be lost in a heartbeat unless we act now.
Your support fuels conservation projects, sustains Recreation Rangers, and helps ensure everyone can create their own story in these wild, breathtaking places. While grants fund specific projects, every individual gift is a powerful tool—allowing us to act quickly when new opportunities arise, tackle urgent needs, and invest where it matters most.
📸 John Rogers, Paul Kennedy, Matt Kusper, Bruce Parker, and Daphne Parker at Perham Stream Birding Trail workday.
