During the “off-season,” Madison, MITA’s Communications Manager, will be chatting with folks about why they are involved and why they keep coming back. We hope you enjoy these stories.
Taking care of a 150-acre island one mile off of the mainland is a daunting task for just two people. Given the currents, winds, and tidal range of the area, hundreds of pounds of debris had been deposited onto the island over time. The best we could manage was two to three cubic yards of trash a month by ourselves. I heard about MITA from the previous island owner, who gave me a rough description. After a little online research, I sent Brian Marcaurelle, MITA’s Program Director, an inquiry and our relationship with MITA began.
MITA Program Director Brian Marcaurelle on Norton in 2018. 
View from the campsite on Norton.
Other than the daunting marine debris problem, we wanted to share Norton and putting it on the Trail seemed like a great way to do that. The island is more than two people can reasonably enjoy on their own.
After agreeing to list Norton on the Trail, we coordinated a large, two-day cleanup to address the marine debris problem. Over 60 cubic yards of trash were taken off the island over that period. Coupled with trail management and the establishment of a new camp site, it was a huge help in getting the island back to it’s intended form. After the initial haul with MITA, most of the work can be completed by us with one or two trips to the harder to access points on the west and north sides of the island by MITA volunteers.
Feeling like the place is shared and enjoyed is another level of ownership. We have met great people and friends through MITA, who really appreciate the same things we do. Even when we aren’t on the island, we feel a connection to Maine and appreciate knowing we are a part of group of people that have that strong connection as well.
For details about visiting Norton, check your MITA guidebook or the MITA mobile app.
