Volunteers are the heart and soul of the Maine Island Trail Association. MITA’s ongoing stewardship of hundreds of wild coastal islands and mainland sites would not be possible without the help of a legion of committed volunteers. Whether combating the human-generated marine debris that accumulates on island shores each year or spreading the Leave No Trace message to recreational boaters, volunteers continue to make a lasting, positive impact on the health and vitality of Maine’s coastal islands.

Volunteer Excellence

While every MITA volunteer contributes in a unique and meaningful way to our mission of caring for the coast, each year we like to recognize a select few that go “above and beyond” to help us ensure that our organizational goals are met and that our stewardship projects are successful. The following volunteers received MITA recognition awards in 2008. For a description of the awards and a list of past Margaret C. Emerson Award recipients, click here.

Congratulations Greg Barmore, 2008 recipient of the Margaret C. Emerson Award, MITA’s highest honor.

• Margaret C. Emerson Award: Greg Barmore, Harpswell, ME
• Monitor Program Award: Richard Stetson, Camden, ME
• Island Adopter Award: Capt. John Foss, Rockport, ME
• Island Cleanup Award: Dan & Bob Carr, Dayton, ME; Wayne & Elizabeth Tobiasson, Brooklin, ME
• Most Valuable Partner Award: Mike Blaney & Acadia National Park

MITA would like to offer our sincere thanks to these award recipients and to all of those who helped out in the office or on the islands in last year. Your efforts are truly appreciated!

How Do I Get Involved?

There are many ways to help keep Maine’s islands wild and pristine. Explore some of the exciting volunteer opportunities listed below to find out how to turn your passion for the coast into stewardship action.

• Island Cleanups
• Island Adopters
• Monitor Skippers
• Work Projects
• Events Volunteers
• Office Volunteers