Northern Forest Canoe Trail
COMMUNITIES AT WORK:
- Ten host organizations are working in cooperation with the NFCT to organize local citizens to research the proposed routes, determine the portage, access, and camping options, and to meet with landowners to obtain permission for these uses.
- Local committees will manage the Trail once it is complete-from landowner communications to maintenance of signs, portages, etc. NFCT will encourage and promote responsible behavior for the privilege of using public and private property.
- NFCT partners with landowners, residents, and communities in a way that builds trust and is rooted in local traditions and use patterns.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
- Improve community awareness of and access to lakes and rivers.
- Encourage canoe/kayak travel and recreation, and promote safe and responsible paddling..
- Stimulate economic development in communities along the length of the Trail.
- Create a series of interpretive materials, including sectional maps, a heritage booklet, and trail guide.
- Foster a meaningful sense of place for residents of and visitors to the Northern Forest.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- Enlisted local sponsor organizations for 12 of the 13 sections of the Trail.
- Formed local volunteer committees that are engaged in planning, building, and maintaining the Trail.
- Awarded Stewardship grants up to $5,000 to local communities for stewardship, mapping and trail improvement projects in 2002, 2003, and 2004.
- Completed 8 of 13 sectional maps.
- Secured contribution from the Mountaineers Books for the publication and distribution of our 13 maps.
- Developed a uniform signage system and manual
- Selected by Arts and Community Landscapes program of the National Park Service as a regional partner working with local artists and residents on public art projects in two Vermont communities along the trail.
- Built an outreach program including newsletters, public speaking engagements, and press releases utilized by national, state, and local media, including television and public radio. Articles about the Trail have appeared in Backpacker, Outside, Adirondack Life, AMC Outdoors, Burlington Free Press, Boston Globe, Hartford Courant, New Hampshire Sunday News, The Portland Press Herald, and Bangor Daily News, among others.
OUR NEXT STEPS:
- Publish Heritage Booklet, Guide Book and other interpretive materials for outreach and education.
- Install signage at trailheads, portages, campsites, and points of historical interest along the Trail.
- Complete 13-map series in Spring 2006.
- Grow the membership base and involve more volunteers along the length of the Trail.
MEMBERSHIP
NFCT Members support the Trail’s operations and play a critical role in making the Trail a success. One of the key member benefits is access to special section of the NFCT website that is loaded with local guide, outfitter, lodging and travel information, as well as route updates, travel tips from paddlers, and water levels. To become a member, purchase maps or for more information about the Trail please visit our web site.
The NFCT is a non-profit, charitable organization as qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code.