The Boothbay Region Land Trust is excited to announce that we will be partnering with the Maine Island Trail Association (MITA) by adding three islands to their coastal water trail. This is a fantastic opportunity that will allow us to further meet our conservation goals to protect, preserve and steward the islands we own and manage.

The Maine Island Trail Association is a membership organization committed to the protection and enjoyment of the wild islands of Maine. The “Trail” is a 375-mile recreational waterway that includes over 200 islands and extends the length of Maine’s coast. The included islands and mainland properties are either privately owned by individual landowners or conservation groups, or they are public lands held by municipalities, federal or state governments.

All of the properties on the Trail are accessible by boat (weather and tides permitting) and provide an opportunity for visitors to appreciate some of Maine’s finest features. Visitors enjoy sandy beaches, quiet bays, bold shores and river systems, as well as the native wildlife they support. Some of the Trail sites are strictly for day use while others are open for overnight camping.

The three islands under Boothbay Region Land Trust’s ownership that are being added to the Trail are Spectacle Island, Indiantown Island and Damariscove Island. MITA will add these islands, with maps, to their trail guide. Although we expect visitation to increase, we do not expect it to be conspicuous.

The principle that Maine Island Trail Association works from is that “conscientious users can be entrusted with the stewardship of some of the most treasured places on the Maine Coast.” With responsible use and the ethic of “carry-in and carry-out”, along with the dedicated stewardship from MITA staff and volunteers, I am enthusiastic about this new partnership. It will allow me to better care for our properties while sharing our vision and mission with a new group of like-minded conservationists.

To learn more about the Maine Island Trail Association, visit mita.org.