Talk of the Towns 2/24/12

Issue: Community walking and hiking trails, environmental stewardship
Host: Ron Beard
Engineer: Amy Browne

Broadcast Time: 10-11 AM
Program Topic: Connecting Trails and Towns

Key Discussion Points:
a) Questions for Mike Little
Describe Island Heritage Trust, mission, history, land conservation and public access through easements and purchase, recent projects, and proposal for walking trail, details and community reactions…
Questions for Stephanie Clement
Describe Friends of Acadia, larger purposes, and history of village connector trails projects, highlights, successes and challenges, Trenton trail and other recent work…what trail(s) always inspires you and why… community reactions
Questions for Jay Astle (by phone)
Give us some background on Georges River Land Trust and its dedication to trails, which began with Les Hydes 1990 presentation to your annual meeting… what has happened since? How is the trail used and maintained? Are communities along the watershed seeing some benefits? What is happening in the town of St George? Future hopes and plans?
Questions for Paul Johnson (by phone or in studio?) Your background as fisheries biologist, interests in future of Maine North Woods, participation in Maine Woods Forever (describe mission and round-tables) and the story of creating the Thoreau-Wabanaki Trail and what it is today… what highlights of Thoreau’s connection to the region and to Joseph Attean and Joe Polis inspire you? What are your favorite parts of the trail?
Discussion questions for all in studio
What inspires community members to get involved in creating and maintaining trails?
What are some of the tangible and intangible benefits for communities and their citizens which have connections to trails?
Are we seeing some economic benefit to communities that have trails connections?
We are seeing some interesting collaborations to create and promote trails—health promotion groups, local schools, conservation groups… what have you seen happen as a result?
What other trends in trails are you seeing? (historic, birding, fisheries, geologic)
Where can listeners learn more about your organizations and community trails in general?
What are your hopes for the future, as trails connect with towns and communities?

Guests by name and affiliation:
A. Mike Little, Island Heritage Trust (Deer Isle-Stonington)
B. Stephanie Clement, Friends of Acadia, Bar Harbor
C. Jay Astle, Trails Coordinator, Georges River Land Trust
D. Paul Johnson, Maine Woods Forever, Oakland

Call In Program: Yes