ChrisM Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 NSPN is now a member of the Maine Island Trail Association! NSPN now has a Club Membership with MITA. We are the first club to try out this new pilot program with MITA. If the program is successful MITA will offer this membership to other clubs in the future. What is the Maine Island Trail Association? The Maine Island Trail Association (MITA) is a non-profit organization that promotes access, stewardship, and responsible use of the 180+ sites that make up the Maine Island Trail. The sites along the trail are available for day use and some for overnight use (some exclusively to MITA members) and go from the Isles of Shoals in the south to Machias Bay in the east. What does this mean? Reduced MITA membership rates for NSPN “Paid Membersâ€. For 2009, the reduced rates will be: $25 for an individual membership (normally $45) $45 for a family membership (normally $65) Membership includes: 1. The Annual Guide to the Maine Island Trail - a 250-page guide to the 180+ sites on the trail, where they are located, and how to use them. The guide also provides important information on the safe and responsible use of the trail. The guide has been updated for 2009 with new sites and new more detailed maps, and is an invaluable resource for kayakers exploring the Maine coast. 2. Newsletter - a content-rich semi-annual publication of stories and announcements concerning the Trail and the coast of Maine. 3. Electronic newsletter - a periodic bulletin concerning upcoming events and announcements. Please provide MITA with your email address to gain this important component of your membership! 4. Member Discounts - MITA members receive a package of discounts from local retailers and outfitters including LL Bean and Kittery Trading Post. For members making significant gear purchases, or planning a trip on the coast, the value of the starter kit can easily exceed the cost of MITA membership. 5. Programs and events - MITA holds events and sponsors outings each year and is working to develop more in the future. 6. A portion of your membership dues supports MITA’s stewardship work. 7. MITA memberships are based on the calendar year and expire on 12/31. Memberships purchased after Labor Day include the following calendar year. Over the course of the year, NSPN members plan to initiate several CAM trips out to visit MITA islands. These will consist of day and overnight trips. (Of course, individuals are encouraged to visit these islands whenever they want.) These islands are beautiful, and many are not as far away as you may think! (Kennebunkport has several.) Remember, many of these islands are only accessible to MITA members. There will be a presentation at the Gould Barn given by Dave Mention the Trail Director of MITA entitled “Paddling Opportunities Along the Maine Coastâ€. Dave will talk about the Maine Island Trail Association and the many wonderful areas along the trail. MITA will arrange a Leave No Trace seminar at our annual camping workshop and will hold a two-day Certified Leave No Trace Trainer workshop later this year for people who want to learn more about Leave No Trace principles and to help teach others about them. What we, as a club, need to do to make this program successful: 1. We plan to offset the lost revenues due to the reduced membership fee by: Making a once a year donation to MITA, holding at least one fundraiser to benefit MITA and by recruiting new members for MITA. We hope to not only offset the lost revenues but to exceed any lost revenues to help this fine organization. 2. Island Stewardship - NSPN has adopted two adjacent islands in Casco Bay. As island stewards we, as members, are encouraged to visit these islands and help maintain them by picking up garbage, dismantling illegal fire pits, spreading the word about Leave No Trace, and, most importantly - reporting to MITA on the conditions of the islands. 3. Volunteering - We want to encourage our members to help MITA by participating in: Island cleanups, work projects, and event volunteering. We hope that enough NSPN’ers will take advantage, and become involved with this great opportunity to make it worthwhile for both NSPN and MITA to continue this arrangement in the future. How to become a member: For this year's pilot program we are going with a paper sign up method. Instructions are located in the NSPN Business forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEL Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 2. Island Stewardship - NSPN has adopted two adjacent islands in Casco Bay. Which islands has NSPN adopted? I hope many members take advantage of this opportunity and participate. Ed Lawson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopefloats Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 Bangs and Crow Islands! Can't wait to see them in person! Please come to this workshop to learn more about the upcoming opportunities this summer: http://www.nspn.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=5768 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEL Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 Bangs That would be nice island for a club camping trip and easy to hit Crow on same paddle. Ed Lawson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidcohen Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 Kudos to all who did the work. I signed up for membership early this spring before I was aware that NSPN was planning this program. I'm hoping that I can upgrade my membership from individual to family through the program. I dream about paddling the entire trail....piecemeal that is. I'm sure we'll all be kept up to date on volunteer opportunities. Thanks again folks, Sid Cohen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyork Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 That would be nice island for a club camping trip and easy to hit Crow on same paddle. Ed Lawson The upcoming Jewell camping trip (paddlers wanted) lends itself to a great stewardship opportunity for NSPNers. Last year's trip confirmed that Crow is a prime stop for lunch (Bangs off-limits at nesting period). Shall we plan the same stop, and make a clean sweep of the small island? Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisM Posted April 29, 2009 Author Share Posted April 29, 2009 The upcoming Jewell camping trip (paddlers wanted) lends itself to a great stewardship opportunity for NSPNers. Last year's trip confirmed that Crow is a prime stop for lunch (Bangs off-limits at nesting period). Shall we plan the same stop, and make a clean sweep of the small island? Gary That would be great! This is exactly the type of involvement we are hoping for! We really want to encourage our members to become involved with island stewardship. I've heard that the eagle may be gone, I'll check with the trail director to see if he knows the status. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisM Posted April 29, 2009 Author Share Posted April 29, 2009 We are ready to sign people up! The instructions can be found in the NSPN Business forum. (Only paid members can see the forum). This is a great opportunity for those who want to try new areas, but are not sure where to go. Plus we are helping a great organization who promotes access to islands that would normally be off limits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhabich Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 Our partnership with MITA continues. They're doing some exciting work to open up landing and camping opportunities on the Bold Coast, a stunning place to paddle. There's now an easier way to get the membership discount, described in the post at the top of the NSPN Business forum (only visible to paid NSPN members). If you'd really like to show your support for NSPN and MITA, you could join MITA at the discounted family rate as an NSPN member. This lets you give the same financial support to MITA while letting them know you're with NSPN. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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