Maine Island Trail Association Explained

Maine Island Trail Association
Abbreviation:MITA
Founders:Dave Getchell Sr.
Type:Nonprofit
Headquarters:100 Kensington Street, Portland, Maine
Location Country:U.S.
Services:Conservation
Preservation
Leader Title:Executive Director
Leader Name:Doug Welch
Key People:Brian Marcaurelle (program director)
Website:https://mita.org/
Area Served:Coastal Maine

The Maine Island Trail Association (abbreviated MITA) is a grassroots, volunteer-run conservation and preservation group based in Portland, Maine, United States. It was co-founded by David Getchell Sr. in 1988, following a land survey, conducted by the State of Maine, of the state's uninhabited coastal islands. The survey discovered around 1,300 unclaimed geographical features, including islands and sandbars.[1]

It also manages the Maine Island Trail, a recreational water trail which runs the entire coast of Maine,[2] connecting (as of 2023) 182 island and 76 mainland sites available for day visits or overnight camping.[3] MITA itself does not own any land;[4] it supports land trusts and private landowners in the upkeep of its islands.[5] [6] On private and state-owned properties, public access is provided in exchange for MITA's caretaking.

As of 2023, MITA has almost 10,000 members.[7] Its executive director is Doug Welch,[8] while its program director is Brian Marcaurelle.[9] [10]

David Getchell

MITA was co-founded by David R. Getchell Sr., a native of Bangor, Maine. He died in 2018, aged 89.[11]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: History . 2023-11-03 . Maine Island Trail Association . en-US.
  2. Web site: O'Connell . Jenny . 2023-06-06 . On Frenchman Bay, An Island Steward Razes the Roof . 2023-11-03 . Down East Magazine . en-US.
  3. Web site: Robichaux . Stephanie . 24 May 2010 . Hit Maine's Watery Trail . https://web.archive.org/web/20100531065744/http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/family-trips/maine-coast-acadia/ . dead . May 31, 2010 . 10 July 2016 . National Geographic.
  4. Web site: Paradysz . Amy . 2017-06-04 . Society Notebook: Buoying support for the Maine Island Trail Association . 2023-11-03 . Press Herald.
  5. Web site: 2023-06-09 . 10 best things to do in Maine . https://web.archive.org/web/20230609142132/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/maine-road-trips-farm-stands-indigenous-acadia-hikes-moosehead-lake . dead . June 9, 2023 . 2023-11-03 . Travel . en.
  6. Web site: Trotter . Bill . 2023-08-29 . More than 5,000 pounds of debris cleaned up around Maine islands . 2023-11-03 . Bangor Daily News . en-US.
  7. Web site: History . 2023-11-03 . Maine Island Trail Association . en-US.
  8. Web site: Staff . 2023-11-03 . Maine Island Trail Association . en-US.
  9. Web site: Writer . Mary PolsStaff . 2017-06-18 . Christina Hassett stewards Little Chebeague Island for the Maine Island Trail Association . 2023-11-03 . Press Herald.
  10. Web site: Writer . Peggy GrodinskyStaff . 2019-04-21 . The Purifier: Brian Marcaurelle helps to keep wild Maine islands – and the waters around them – clean . 2023-11-03 . Press Herald.
  11. Web site: Remembering the life of David Getchell Sr. . 2023-11-03 . obituaries.bangordailynews.com . en.

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