THEY MAKE GEAR.
THEY GUIDE US.
THEY INSPIRE US.

We connect Maine students to life-changing outdoor experiences · Reduces Anxiety and Improves Mood · Builds Strong Social and Environmental Connections.

Outdoor Expeditionary Learning programs in Maine: Promoting youth development and leadership through adventure, healthy communities and living sustainably.

Unity College Sky Lodge is a year-round destination geared towards nature lovers and outdoor adventure enthusiasts, dedicated to supporting education and civic engagement in sustainability and environmental stewardship. Situated on 150 acres of wilderness, accommodations include a 9-room historic wilderness lodge built in 1929, four log cabins, a private home, and three individual guest rooms.

The Maine Sports Commission, a nonprofit organization, works to advance, elevate and promote Maine as a four season sports destination, strengthening the state through sports tourism, encouraging healthy, active lifestyles.

The University of Maine at Farmington is a public liberal arts college in Farmington, Maine. It is part of the University of Maine System and a founding member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges.

The Maine Island Trail is a 375-mile water trail for boaters that extends the length of the Maine coast. A recreational water trail, it connects over 250 wild islands and mainland sites that are open for day use or overnight camping.

Established in 1978, the Maine Professional Guides Association is proud to be the largest, oldest organization of Maine guides, with over 1000 members and a 35 year history. Our members provide great recreational opportunities everywhere from the remotest parts of the state to the most populated. From sea kayaking to fly fishing or bear hunting, we have something for everyone.

Maine Cancer Foundation (MCF) is dedicated to reducing cancer incidence and mortality rates in Maine. 100% of the funds we raise are invested back into our communities to benefit the people of Maine.

Ski Maine Association is the non-profit trade association representing the Maine Alpine and Nordic Ski Industry. The Association represents 16 Alpine Ski Areas and 21 Nordic Ski Centers from South Berwick to Fort Kent. The mission of the Association is to promote the industry by focusing on Governmental Affairs, Education and Training and Public Affairs.

WinterKids helps children develop healthy lifelong habits through education and fun, outdoor winter activity. We create opportunities for children to be active, vibrant and healthy in the outdoors.

Quality parks and green spaces are a fundamental requirement for sustaining healthy, equitable, resilient communities. That’s why we work alongside communities to create, protect, and advance the nature-rich places that are vital to human well-being.

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) preserves, protects, and enhances the inland fisheries and wildlife resources of the state. Established in 1880 to protect big game populations, MDIFW has since evolved in scope to include protection and management of fish, non-game wildlife, and habitats, as well as restoration of endangered species like the bald eagle.

Greater Franklin’s mission is to attract and assist businesses and entrepreneurs by advocating, promoting, and collaborating to support a sustainable and thriving community.

Main Street Skowhegan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on the ongoing revitalization of historic Skowhegan, Maine. Founded in 2005 by a group of citizens, Main Street relies on hardworking staff, energetic AmeriCorps members, a dedicated Board of Directors, and more than a hundred awesome volunteers to execute major community initiatives and events.

Maine Coast Heritage Trust is a nonprofit land conservation organization increasing access to the coast for everyone, making the coast more resilient to climate change, and supporting coastal communities.

​Cliff and Kate White are the directors of Strong Machine Adventure Racing.A nonprofit organization based in Portland, Maine, Strong Machine Adventure Racing’s purpose is to offer events that foster responsible use and enjoyment of the outdoors.

The Eastern Trail has 22 off-road miles from Bug Light (in South Portland) to Kennebunk, as well as a scenic on-road route that mostly follows quiet country roads.Today, to complete this vision, we are aggressively developing plans and funds to both close a critical 1.6-mile gap between South Portland and Scarborough and then add 19 miles between Kennebunk and South Berwick.

The goal of Granite Backcountry Alliance is to advance the sport of backcountry skiing in New Hampshire and Western Maine by providing a network of low-impact human-powered backcountry skiing opportunities to the public through the creation, improvement and maintenance of ski glades.

We believe lives can be transformed through the outdoors. OSI exists to support the individuals and organizations working to make the outdoors an integral and sustainable part of life for themselves and their communities. Through training, education, planning, design, and collaboration we:

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine works to make Maine a better and safer place to bike and walk. Founded in 1992, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine has grown into the leading bicycle and pedestrian advocacy group in the state.

At Maine Adaptive we believe that having access to and participating in recreational sports is integral to a well-rounded life for every person.

The Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust was formed in June 2002 as an independent land trust for the purpose of acquiring and protecting the land surrounding the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) in Maine for public benefit.

Using our online presence, publications, trainings, and conferences, we enhance the public’s understanding of the value of Maine camps. We also assist camp and business members by offering a broad range of information, including directories, resources, legislative and regulatory news, and social media resources.

The mission of Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters is to preserve and protect the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality and distinctive cultural resources of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and surrounding communities for the inspiration and enjoyment of all generations.

For over 50 years, the Maine Marine Trades Association has been representing Maine’s finest boat yards, boat builders, marinas, marine retailers, brokers, wholesalers, and related professional businesses.

Portland Nordic promotes healthy and active lifestyles in greater Portland, Maine through the sport of Nordic skiing.

The Chewonki Foundation is a non-profit institution in Wiscasset, Maine which runs educational programs with an environmental focus.

The Ecology School is a non-profit environmental education program started in 1998 in Saco, Maine. The Ecology School, located in Saco, Maine, is an innovative school for students of all ages to learn by their natural inclinations—engaging all five senses to discover the inner workings of the world around them.

Maine GearShare’s mission is to promote equitable access to outdoor recreation with a collaborative economy system that acquires, maintains, and lends gear to trip leaders and nature-based educators. Through this capacity-building work, Maine GearShare is expanding equitable access to the gear needed for outdoor recreation, and helping inspire the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts, conservationists, and leaders.

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is a people’s garden, a grassroots effort that began as a casual conversation between friends and evolved into the largest botanical garden in New England. Located on more than 300 acres along the MidCoast, the Gardens is a true Maine experience.

To enhance the wilderness character of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, protect its environment, and preserve and foster knowledge and understanding of its natural, historic and cultural values. In close collaboration with the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, we serve as the Friends of the Allagash.

SailMaine’s mission is to provide affordable access to the water through community sailing and educational programming.

The University of Maine is a public land-grant research university in Orono, Maine. It was established in 1865 as the land-grant college of Maine and is the flagship university of the University of Maine System.

The Maine Recreation and Park Association (MRPA) is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all through the advancement of the parks and recreation profession in Maine.

WE CONNECT PEOPLE TO COMMUNITIES IN WESTERN MAINE THROUGH THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF HIGH QUALITY, DURABLE TRAILS AND WOODS FOR ALL SEASONS.

LifeFlight of Maine is the state’s only emergency air ambulance service. LifeFlight’s three helicopters, airplane, and specialty ground vehicles are equipped as fully functioning mobile intensive care units, bringing advanced skills, medical technology, pharmacy, blood, and more—directly to a patient’s side.

Working with people, and for people, to ensure a healthy Maine. We work to maintain healthy forests across the state through a network of reserves connected to sustainably harvested timberlands. We remove barriers for fish and wildlife passage in rivers and streams while improving the ability of road-stream crossings to withstand flooding.

Enhancing the quality of life for people of all ages and abilities. Provides educational and recreational program throughout Maine.

We are a recreational trails advocacy organization with 31 chapters throughout New England and over 7,000 members. Our mission is to promote the best that mountain biking has to offer, steward the trail systems where we recreate and preserve open space.

Kindling Collective is a queer-centered gear library creating an accessible pathway to outdoor experiences in Maine (Wabanaki Confederacy Territory). We aim to build community and support folks in the greater Portland area in building and sustaining relationships with the natural world. Kindling Collective will be a space where members can check out the gear they need for camping, hiking, and backpacking adventures. We will offer outdoor classes, guided trips, and office hours for trip planning. Library patrons will pay an income-based, sliding-scale member fee which will provide access to gear checkout, discounted classes and trips, and trip planning/gear repair open-library hours.

The mission of the Kennebunk Land Trust is to permanently conserve and steward land to benefit natural and human communities. The Kennebunk Land Trust was founded in 1972 to preserve and protect significant natural spaces in the Kennebunk region. As one of southern Maine’s oldest working land trusts, the Trust has preserved over 3,400 acres of forest, fields and waterways, including 1,600 acres of the Kennebunk Plains. Of these preserved lands, more than 300 acres are conservation easements managed for private landowners.

We are a non-profit, charitable membership organization, and continue to be the clear voice for protection of our most precious freshwater resources and wildlife habitat. We work to support everyone who values and benefits from clean water and healthy lakes in Maine, including lake residents, lake associations, surrounding communities, vacationers and the next generation of lake stewards.

The Maine Trails Coalition (MTC) was formed in 2019 to be a statewide voice for trail users, supporters, and advocates. With trails serving as a major component of the outdoor recreation economy in Maine, we believe a statewide group dedicated to advancing the trails movement will benefit the communities and people who live, work, visit, and play all across the state.

Sebago Clean Waters (SCW) is a coalition working to protect the watershed for Sebago Lake, the drinking water supply for 1 out of 6 Mainers. Our goal is to conserve 25% of the watershed’s forests that naturally filter water and provide outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat, economic benefits and more.

Northern Forest Canoe Trail is a 740-mile trail that follows historic waterways from Old Forge, New York, to Fort Kent, Maine.

Developing an inclusive uphill community through organized group programs

Hearty Roots is an esteem-building outdoor adventure program led by professional counselors & educators who also happen to be backcountry gurus.

Working with youth, 13-23 years of age, we are a non-partisan, solutions-based organization pushing for local,
tangible solutions to a global challenge.

The Third Place is a cross-sector networking organization that provides social and professional opportunities for Black Mainers. We organize in ten sectors through our SHIFT Maine program- nonprofit, business/entrepreneurship, k-12 education, higher education, media & communications, banking and financial services, healthcare, technology, housing &trades, and environment. Our environmental network, ECO-BIPOC is a network of over thirty-five individuals from the BIPOC community who are employed or interested in the environmental-related fields. Our email address is www.thethirdplace.me. The field box identified it as an error.

Pine Tree Camp is Maine’s only American Camp Association-accredited camp for people with disabilities. Located on scenic North Pond, Pine Tree Camp provides a full range of programming for children, adults, and families. Opportunities range from day-long experiences on- and off-campus to week-long overnight sessions and feature many of the outdoor activities for which Maine is known, including boating, kayaking, hiking on fully accessible trails, swimming, archery and even tenting under the open stars. Full and partial tuition assistance is available. Pine Tree Camp has never turned away a camper due to inability to pay tuition.

At The Gulf of Maine Research Institute, we develop and deliver collaborative solutions to global ocean challenges. As an independent and objective nonprofit organization, we work with stakeholders and partners to support healthy ocean ecosystems, a thriving blue economy, sustainable seafood, and climate-resilient coastal communities.

More Women+ Surf is building an inclusive board sports community in and out of the water to make space, empower and increase access for historically underserved and marginalized communities.

MANA is an immigrant-led organization that promotes the social & personal empowerment of immigrants and advances racial justice and racial equity in Maine through:

Raising awareness of individual and collective trauma among immigrants
Providing trauma-aware, multilingual and culturally appropriate transportation services to address social determinants;
Connecting immigrants with their peers across cultures and to the resources.

The Natural Resources Council of Maine is a nonprofit membership organization protecting, restoring, and conserving Maine’s environment, now and for future generations. For more than 60 years, the Natural Resources Council of Maine has been protecting the places and way of life that make Maine so special. We work statewide to:

-Protect the health of Maine’s rivers, lakes, streams, and coastal waters;
-Promote sustainable communities through initiatives that reduce toxic pollution and waste;
-Decrease air and climate-changing pollution through energy efficiency and renewable sources;
-Conserve Maine lands and wildlife habitat, including our treasured North Woods; and
-Defend the federal environmental policies and programs that help protect Maine.

NRCM harnesses the power of the law, science, and the voices of more than 25,000 supporters statewide and beyond.

Portland Trails connects people with places.
Portland Trails is a nonprofit urban land trust that transforms Greater Portland into a healthier and better-connected community through a 70+ mile trail network.

HIOBS serves middle school, high school, gap year, and college students, as well as adults looking for wilderness adventure and Veterans from our Armed Forces.

Our mission is to inspire an active, outdoor life and provide resources for a lifelong connection with the outdoors: any season, any ability, any age.

Current offerings include: a trail guide to Southern Maine, trail blog/newsletter, trail challenges, and an outdoor events calendar (coming soon).

Coastal Rivers is a non-profit, membership supported, and nationally accredited land trust and conservation organization. We are your community land trust, caring for the lands and waters in the Damariscotta-Pemaquid region by conserving special places, protecting water quality, creating trails and public access, and deepening connections to nature.

The Outdoor Leadership program at Washington County Community College equips students with a strong foundation in economic, cultural, environmental, and technical skills related to the outdoor industry in Maine and around the world. Students gain these skills through a variety of challenging and engaging field experiences that accompany classroom studies.

Our mission is to provide a transformative camp experience that nurtures self-confidence and a sense of belonging in Main children facing economic hardship. Our vision is that all Maine kids have the opportunity to thrive.

Our mission is to preserve and protect Harpswell’s natural resources, cultural heritage and access to the outdoors now and forever through conservation, stewardship and education. Essentially, we want to keep Harpswell a special place full of wonder and wildness, while also ensuring that people can access the outdoors for years to come!

Saltwater Classroom is a non-profit focused on a new wave of ocean education. Our programming is rooted in nature-based, hands-on education and is delivered through in-person workshops as well as an innovative online ocean literacy platform. We’re committed to making ocean education more accessible, engaging, and fun, for a more sustainable future on our blue planet.