In Episode 33, Austin French and Sam Andrews sit down with Ben Dougherty, Executive Director of the Maine Island Trail Association (MITA), to explore one of Maine's most unique outdoor recreation resources.
The Maine Island Trail is a 375-mile water trail stretching along the coast of Maine, connecting paddlers, boaters, and adventurers with hundreds of island and mainland sites.
But the trail exists because of something much bigger than geography.
MITA has built a network of relationships with private landowners, public landowners, conservation organizations, volunteers, and coastal communities to create recreational access while protecting the places people come to enjoy.
Ben talks about the importance of pairing access with stewardship, MITA's volunteer network, getting young people onto the islands, and the unique opportunity Maine has to connect people with its coastline while protecting these wild places for the future.
What you'll hear:
• The story behind the Maine Island Trail
• How a 375-mile water trail works
• The relationships behind island access
• Stewardship and conservation along the Maine coast
• MITA's volunteer network
• Getting more people connected to Maine's islands
• The future of coastal recreation in Maine
EXPLORE THE MAINE ISLAND TRAIL