Sierra Club Outings | Mt. Agamenticus Service, Maine

Photo: Susan Ask

Highlights:

Help protect the diverse ecosystem of Mt. Agamenticus
Witness the annual raptor migration
Experience Maine in the fall

Includes:

All meals
Wooded campsite in Cape Neddick with easy access to the Maine coast

Located just northwest of York Village , Maine , Mt. Agamenticus dominates the largest tract of unfragmented forest between Acadia National Park and the New Jersey Pine Barrens. A remarkable partnership of public and private agencies has come together to preserve more than 11,000 acres of exceptional biodiversity. Southern hardwood species, such as shagbark hickory and chestnut oak, reach the northern limit of their range and mix with the trees typical of the southern Maine forest, such as red oak, red maple, American beech, and white pine. The vernal pools, pocket wetlands, and the wide variety of plant communities provide critical habitat for many globally rare plant and reptile species. There are spotted and Blanding's turtles and unusual insects, such as banded bog skimmers and ebony boghunters.

We can observe neotropical migratory birds, like wood thrushes and ovenbirds, and several species of hawk that require large tracts of forest. In addition, moose, black bear, coyote, fox, otter, fisher, deer, beaver, and ribbon and black racer snakes find homes here.

Mt. Agamenticus lies precariously near rapidly-growing population centers in southern Maine . To preserve the spectacular forest communities and water quality in this region, several organizations have pooled their resources, including The Nature Conservancy, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the towns of York and South Berwick , the York Land Trust, the Great Works Regional Land Trust, and the York and Kittery Water Districts.

As one of the largest open spaces in southern coastal Maine , Mt. Agamenticus has long been popular for birders, hikers, mountain bikers, and hunters. The challenge is to manage this area for conservation and watershed protection (the streams and pools are the sole source of drinking water for Kittery and York ), while continuing to provide access for public recreation. September is an ideal time for a visit: the summer crowds and black flies have vanished, the raptor migration is in full swing, and cool weather conditions usually prevail. September is one of Maine's best kept secrets.

We will be working with the conservation coordinator, Robin Stanley, in the Mt. Agamenticus Conservation Area. Robin has extensive experience with volunteer groups on a wide range of projects. There is plenty of work for us -- decades of deferred maintenance!

Our specific tasks will depend upon the most pressing needs and will focus on trail maintenance/repair and re-vegetation in areas that have suffered erosion. The work is conservation-based; that is, we will improve the trails to protect the ecosystem from forest fragmentation and wetland damage associated with unmanaged recreational use.

We will re-route trails where needed to reduce erosion and protect vernal pools, and build bridges over streams and wet areas. On eroded slopes we'll replant hardy, native species, such as sweet fern, blueberry, and pin cherry. In the past six years we have constructed trail and information signs, painted decks and barns, removed graffiti, cleaned up a dump and trash from roadsides, destroyed a dangerous bridge, hauled deadwood and duff, removed invasive buckthorn, created beds of native plants, graded and ditched trails to control water, built stone check steps, a crib wall, a retention pond, and two stone staircases.

We will meet in Cape Neddick , Maine , on the afternoon of day one. Specific directions will be sent to confirmed participants. Typically, we will start our workday at the summit of Mt. Agamenticus , which is a seven-mile drive from the campground. We will work a total of four days, with one day off (likely Wednesday). You will need to be prepared for light to moderate rain, but we will not be working outdoors in storms or high winds.

Our free time on our day off can be used to visit nearby towns and historic sites (such as Sarah Orne Jewett's home in South Berwick ), stroll the beaches, and hike woodland trails. The Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve and the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge are adjacent to one another 10 miles north of our campground. Other possible activities include biking, canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, fishing, and birdwatching. The major portion of the shorebird migration occurs in September, and the raptors -- including peregrine falcons, bald eagles, osprey, and northern goshawks -- will be starting their journey south.

Mt. Agamenticus is located near the coast in southern Maine, with the closest airports in Portland, Maine, Boston, Massachusetts, and Manchester, New Hampshire. It may be possible to arrange transportation with the leader from the Portland Jetport or from the Trailways Bus Station in Portland. Also, note that Southwest Airlines only flies to Manchester.

Our base of operations for the week will be the family-owned Dixon 's Campground (see www.dixonscampground.com ), located in Cape Neddick . There are 100 sites on 40 acres, mostly wooded, with hot showers and flush toilets. This campground favors tenting; only small RVs are allowed. Road noise is usually minimal (the Maine turnpike is audible on some nights). Dinner on day one will be our first meal, and breakfast on the final day will be our last. We expect to have many fresh foods and a varied menu. Please discuss any dietary restrictions with the leader well in advance. Each person will help cook and clean up on at least one day of the trip.

This trip is moderately strenuous. Work projects vary from light-duty to strenuous and on most days we will be working together.

The weather should be comfortable in mid-September. Typical early morning temperatures range from 40 to 55 degrees and mid-day temperatures are usually in the 60s and 70s. You will need clothing to layer on or off as the temperature and your exercise level vary. Costly gear can be stored safely in our cars or at the Dixon 's Campground office.

A complete equipment list will be sent in early August. Required items include a tent with waterproof fly, sleeping bag and pad, rainsuit with pants, gloves, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts. TecNu poison ivy cleanser will be provided, but you might want to bring insect repellent for mosquitoes. We have not encountered poison ivy or ticks in prior years.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

Kermit Smyth began leading Sierra Club service trips in 2000. Previously, he was a research scientist investigating flame chemistry with laser techniques. Marooned in Maryland for 28 years, Kermit has recently returned to Maine and is an active volunteer with a half-dozen local environmental and conservation groups.

Ed Lawrence is an active outings leader with his north-central Pennsylvania group, Otzinachson. He is a public lands advocate who has taken the passion and the message to both Harrisburg and Washington, DC. He has provided his highly-regarded culinary expertise to several cross-country skiing and service outings.