Welcome to the 10th edition of “A Month @ MOB,” a roundup of news and events in Maine’s outdoor industry each month:
Windham unveils 700-acre conservation area: Boost for Maine’s outdoor recreation economy
This project came together after Windham leaders and the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust fund brought it to “Land for Maine’s Future.’ This land is now one of the largest conservation areas in southern Maine.
National Park Service seeks up to 2,500 acres for entry to Katahdin monument
Proposed federal legislation aims to improve access to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument by allowing the National Park Service to acquire up to 2,465 acres from willing landowners, enhancing transportation and potentially benefiting local businesses and tourism, while preserving traditional land uses and respecting landowner rights.
Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Hosts Inaugural National Outdoor Recreation Executive Forum
Maine Outdoor Brands attended our national partner Outdoor Recreation Roundtable’s (ORR) first-ever National Outdoor Recreation Executive Forum in the nation’s capital in May. While in DC, L.L.Bean’s Shawn Gorman, Maine Outdoor Brands’ Jenny Kordick, Flowfold’s Devin McNeill, and the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation’s Carolann Ouellette met with Senators Collins and King, Representative Pingree, and the office of Representative Golden to share updates on the Maine Outdoor Recreation Economy Roadmap process and discuss opportunities to strengthen Maine’s outdoor recreation economy.
Maine’s trail system makes the state an outdoor destination. $30M in improvements could come soon
The Maine Trails Bond is headed to the ballot in November, and Maine trails could receive $30 million of improvements.
Opolis Optics on NPR’s “How I Built This” with Guy Raz
Tune in to hear founder James Merrill share their brand journey in an Advice Line episode with Guy Raz.
Over 2,700 Acres of Critical Wildlife Habitat Protected in Maine’s High Peaks Region
The Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy in Maine, and the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands announced the addition of 2,706 acres to the Mount Abraham Public Reserve Land through the “Keystones project,” which conserves critical wildlife habitats, ensures public access for recreation, and supports Maine’s climate goals by preventing development and fragmentation.
Governor Baxter and Brant & Cochran announce product collaboration coming this fall
The two brands have teamed up on a limited edition Dirigo Belt Axe with a special pine tar finish on the handle, wrapped with Governor Baxter’s signature bait line grip. The hatchet will come with the Governor Baxter log carrier which will be launching this fall alongside the axe.
From Rapids to Resorts: New England Outdoor Center Connects Customers to Nature
Matt Polstein, owner of the New England Outdoor Center (NEOC), shares through a marketing lens about growing his business from a college-era whitewater rafting startup into a hospitality enterprise.
Hiking enthusiasts, listen up: June is Love Maine Trails Month
June is Love Maine Trails Month! York Land Trust hosted a trail stewardship workshop last month, and there are dozens of upcoming events and ways to volunteer and get involved on the LMTM calendar.
The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable’s new report highlights the need for increased federal support and innovative funding solutions to sustain the $1.1 trillion outdoor recreation economy, which contributes 2.2% to GDP but receives only 0.16% of federal funding.