Nahmakanta Maine Public Reserved Lands
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Prior to its acquisition, Steve evaluated recreation potential of this spectacular 43,000 acre forested parcel in Maine’s big woods in accordance with dominant use management principles of the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands. He worked with external partners, other relevant experts, advisory committees and stakeholders to develop and implement the recreation management component of the unit management plan.
He was the lead designer of a 28 mile network of hiking trails on Nahmakanta. Steve connected low mountains with expansive views, cascading waterfalls and stands of magnificent old growth forest to provide a recreation experience that delights the hiker’s sense of sight, sound, smell and touch while completely respecting sensitive plant and animal habitats Remote campsites were the next priority and Steve enjoyed good success locating and designing sites a number of which offer a high quality alone-in-the-wilderness sort of camping experience. Other camp sites offer a more front country experience with the attendant convenience. |
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Funding for the construction of these recreation facilities by the Maine Conservation Corps was secured by Steve from the Land for Maine’s Future Program and other grant sources. He oversaw the trail and campsite development and conducted the final inspection.
Over the course of his 20 years as the sole outdoor recreation planner for Maine Public Reserved Lands Steve accomplished most or all of these duties on the following Public Reserved Lands which range in size from 125 to 43,000 acres:
Over the course of his 20 years as the sole outdoor recreation planner for Maine Public Reserved Lands Steve accomplished most or all of these duties on the following Public Reserved Lands which range in size from 125 to 43,000 acres:
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He also evaluated numerous other potential land acquisitions which were not added to the Public Reserved Lands based on his analysis and recommendation.
Maine Island Trail
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Steve was a member of the three person team that first explored the 375 mile (current length) MIT route in 1987 traveling in an 18’ open skiff with Trail Founder Dave Getchell and Julie Canif from the Island Institute.
He helped found the Maine Island Trail Association serving as head liaison for Maine Public Lands in their partnership with the Island Institute and LL Bean. Steve continued for 20 years in that capacity and serving as a policy and technical adviser and ex officio board member to MITA on a trail wide basis while holding direct responsibility for management decisions on the state owned islands on the trail. |
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Leave No Trace practices for coastal island camping and day use are particularly challenging and Steve was part of the team that developed and taught the LNT techniques to hundreds of the small boaters that traverse the trail. The partnership between MPL and MITA has become known nationally as an excellent model for managing water trails through public/private partnerships and Steve has presented on the collaboration at numerous national conferences from New England to Alaska to California to Florida.
Steve has also played a significant role in planning, design and liaison for the:
Steve has also played a significant role in planning, design and liaison for the:
- Northern Forest Canoe Trail
- St. Croix International Waterway
- Moose River Bow Trip
- Machias River Corridor
- Allagash Wilderness Waterway
Appalachian Trail
Steve represented the state of Maine on matters relating to the Appalachian Trail for 20 years.
He coordinated with trail organizations such as Maine Appalachian Trail Club, Appalachian Mountain Club, Appalachian Trail Conference and the National Park Service to assure consistent resource and experiential management.
He had direct management responsibility where the AT crosses Maine Pubic Reserved Lands (Mahoosucs, Four Ponds, Bigelow and Nahmakanta Units)
He coordinated with trail organizations such as Maine Appalachian Trail Club, Appalachian Mountain Club, Appalachian Trail Conference and the National Park Service to assure consistent resource and experiential management.
He had direct management responsibility where the AT crosses Maine Pubic Reserved Lands (Mahoosucs, Four Ponds, Bigelow and Nahmakanta Units)
Grafton Loop Trail
This 39 mile side loop to the Appalachian Trail in the Mahoosuc Mountains traverses Maine Public Reserved Lands, private lands and lands owned by conservation organizations.
Offering a spectacular 3 day backpacking experience with overnights at remote campsites, it has been very well received by the hiking community.
Steve represented Maine Public Reserved Lands in a broad coalition including Maine Appalachian Mountain Club, Maine Appalachian Trail Club, Hurricane Island Outward Bound, the town of Newry, local businesses and land owners to plan and develop the trail.
Steve wrote grants to secure considerable funding from the Recreational Trails Program.
Offering a spectacular 3 day backpacking experience with overnights at remote campsites, it has been very well received by the hiking community.
Steve represented Maine Public Reserved Lands in a broad coalition including Maine Appalachian Mountain Club, Maine Appalachian Trail Club, Hurricane Island Outward Bound, the town of Newry, local businesses and land owners to plan and develop the trail.
Steve wrote grants to secure considerable funding from the Recreational Trails Program.
America's Great Loop
In August of 2015 Steve left his position of Stewardship Director for the Damariscotta River Association to cruise America's Great Loop, the 7,000 mile waterway that circumnavigates the eastern half of the U.S . Steve and his wife Libbey launched Laughing Gull their 24' Maine lobster boat in Troy NY and proceeded up the Erie Canal.
Over the next 9 1/2 months they boated and lived aboard their way to the Great Lakes and down the rivers to the Gulf of Mexico. They spent the winter exploring the wild and beautiful areas of Florida's coast before striking north on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and returning to Troy in late May.
The voyage provided Steve with a multitude of opportunities to study and compare the different ways that conservation and tourism are accomplished. It was particularly interesting to observe what infrastructure is available and how information is conveyed to visitors.
Over the next 9 1/2 months they boated and lived aboard their way to the Great Lakes and down the rivers to the Gulf of Mexico. They spent the winter exploring the wild and beautiful areas of Florida's coast before striking north on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and returning to Troy in late May.
The voyage provided Steve with a multitude of opportunities to study and compare the different ways that conservation and tourism are accomplished. It was particularly interesting to observe what infrastructure is available and how information is conveyed to visitors.
A.S. Outdoor Recreation and Tourism
Working with an advisory committee and college staff in 2014-15, Steve developed curriculum and syllabi for an associates degree in Outdoor Recreation and Tourism. Now being offered by the Eastern Maine Community College at their Katahdin Higher Education Center, courses include Management of Parks and Natural Areas, Expedition and Specialized Guiding
Eco Tourism Planning
Steve represented the Maine Department of Conservation on former Maine Governor John Baldacci’s Nature Tourism Task Force where he worked with other tourism experts and providers from around the state to develop plans and strategies targeting high value low volume tourism. Showcasing high quality backcountry areas and promoting the adjacent front country opportunities that are enhanced by them was a key focus.
Working as a front line tourism provider i.e. wilderness fishing guide in Ketchikan, Alaska seasonally from 2008-10, gave Steve the opportunity to participate in and study the mature cruise ship tourism industry of the region.
Working as a front line tourism provider i.e. wilderness fishing guide in Ketchikan, Alaska seasonally from 2008-10, gave Steve the opportunity to participate in and study the mature cruise ship tourism industry of the region.
Steve helped develop a community sea kayak guide project in Ostinal, Nicaragua. His role was to train the guides (in Spanish) using his credentials as an instructor (British Canoe Union Level II Overseas Coach, Registered Maine Sea Kayak Guide) and his decade of experience as Adjunct Faculty instructing 1 credit sea kayaking courses for Unity College.
He also facilitated business and marketing planning for the group. The project was conducted by Paso Pacifico, the US Forest Service and US AID for the joint purposes of economic development and conservation of endangered sea turtles by providing alternate income sources for turtle harvesters.
He also facilitated business and marketing planning for the group. The project was conducted by Paso Pacifico, the US Forest Service and US AID for the joint purposes of economic development and conservation of endangered sea turtles by providing alternate income sources for turtle harvesters.
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In early 2008 Steve worked in the Marshall Islands to help develop the Marshall Islands Tourism Association and its infrastructure planning.
The wild islands on the northern rim of the Majuro Atoll are known as Aenkan are stunningly pretty and largely undeveloped. Steve evaluated the water trail potential and developed a network of island owners to help in the planning . A key part of the project was assessing possible impacts on the endangered Imperial Micronesian Pigeon (Mule Bird) |
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Alaskan Wilderness Fishing Guide
Outdoor Gear Tester
For 20 years Steve was a free lance product tester for LL Bean.
The company selected and shipped outdoor gear and apparel from LL Bean and their competitors product lines for testing. Steve would utilize the products in the course of his outdoor work and recreation and submit reports describing their strengths and weaknesses. Hiking boots, backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, sea kayak equipment and rain gear were some of the items he tested. |
Steve has first hand experience as a front line tourism provider. For 4 seasons he served as a saltwater wilderness fishing guide in the Tongass National Forest near Ketchikan Alaska. As a guide for Baranof Fishing Excursions, Steve took parties of 4-5 anglers out in a 20’ skiff to catch a few rockfish, halibut or salmon for a bouillabaisse lunch at a remote campsite. The trips combined high quality hospitality and interpretation, nature and wildlife viewing, and gourmet dining in a wilderness setting. 
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