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Bureau of Parks and Lands
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October 2025

In this Issue:

* Director's Note - America’s State Parks: A Robust Network of Parks and People [ #link_1 ]
* Welcome, Christy Owen, the New Director of the Maine Conservation Corps [ #link_3 ]
* Haley Johnson, 2025 AWW Artist in Residence, Reflects on Her Allagash Experience [ #link_2 ]
* Indigenous Peoples' Day - Monday, October 13 [ #link_6 ]
* October Programs & Events [ #link_4 ]
* Fall Foliage: Where to Leaf Peep [ #link_8 ]
* Ranger Academy 2025 - Compliance & Enforcement [ #link_5 ]
* Seboomook Public Lands Forest Management for Snowshoe Hare & Canada Lynx [ #link_9 ]
* Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park - Improved Facilities [ #link_7 ]

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Director's Note - America’s State Parks: A Robust Network of Parks and People

West Virginia State Parks sign at the National Association of State Park Directors conference.

Photo Above: The NASPD Conference was in West Virginia. Photo Below: Andy Cutko with BPL staff Matt Hamilton and Casey Smedberg at the NASPD conference.

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Andy Cutko, Director of the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands with staff Matt Hamilton and Casey Smedberg at the NASPD conference.

As the Northeast’s representative to the Board of the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD), I was fortunate to attend, along with staffers Matthew Hamilton and Casey Smedberg, this year’s annual NASPD conference in Canaan Valley, West Virginia. With 47 states represented among the 300+ attendees, the conference provided a forum to share best practices, learn about emerging trends and challenges, and spend time networking outdoors in a scenic state park setting. I joined colleague Brandon Burris from Louisiana (with a big assist from NC State University and Aspira) to lead a session on NASPD’s Annual Information Exchange, which enables park systems across the country to compare data on visitation, funding, and staffing. I always return to Maine inspired by the possibilities of improving our parks for people and nature.



Andy Cutko with Rodney Franklin of Texas State Parks and President of NASPD.

Andy Cutko and Rodney Franklin of Texas State Parks and President of NASPD.

~ Andy Cutko, Director, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands

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Welcome, Christy Owen, the New Director of the Maine Conservation Corps

Christy Owen, new Director of the Maine Conservation Corps, 9/2025.

The Maine Conservation Corps (MCC) director's position attracted many highly qualified applicants. After a competitive interview, Christy Owen emerged as the top candidate, bringing extensive global experience and a passion for conservation and community engagement to Maine.

Owen is an accomplished program and grants manager with over 20 years of experience designing, leading, and advising federally funded international programs. Her career has focused on improved natural resource management, sustainable landscapes, and biodiversity conservation, particularly in response to challenges created by infrastructure development, climate change, and shifting economic opportunities.

Maine is fortunate to welcome Christy Owen as the new leader of the Maine Conservation Corps. Christy’s depth of experience and dedication to building partnerships and empowering young professionals make her well-suited to guide the MCC in its mission to protect Maine’s natural resources while inspiring the next generation of conservation leaders.

Before moving to Maine in July 2023, Owen spent twelve years in Bangkok, Thailand, where she managed a regional portfolio of activities centered on multi-stakeholder partnerships to reduce infrastructure development's social and environmental impacts. Her work also included leveraging the private sector for climate finance initiatives to reduce deforestation and protect critical landscapes.
Owen’s connection to Maine is a deeply personal one. Her love for the state began with childhood summers spent at her grandmother’s home on Lake Megunticook, where she returned annually before relocating permanently in 2023.
“I am honored to join the Maine Conservation Corps and continue its vital work of stewarding Maine’s lands and waters while creating meaningful opportunities for young people,” said Owen. “I believe strongly in the power of partnerships and locally led solutions, and I look forward to working with the MCC team and our many partners.”

*About Maine Conservation Corps* Established in 1983, MCC builds upon the Civilian Conservation Corps' legacy by engaging diverse individuals to address pressing conservation needs in Maine communities. Members develop in-demand skills and work experience while showcasing the power of service and civic engagement. MCC is part of the Bureau of Parks and Lands within the DACF. Learn more [ [link removed] ].

~ Doug Beck, Bureau of Parks and Lands Grants & Community Recreation Program Manager

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Haley Johnson, 2025 AWW Artist in Residence, Reflects on Her Allagash Experience

Haley Johnson, AWW Artist in Residence 2025, at the Lock Dam Cabin with her plein air paintings.

Haley Johnson with her paintings at the Lock Dam Cabin in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway.

Immature Moose by Haley Johnson, AWW Artist in Residence 2025.

Haley Johnson, the 2025 AWW Artist in Residence, spent two weeks during August exploring the Allagash Wilderness Waterway while using the rustic Lock Dam Cabin as her basecamp. Her most memorable experiences were visiting Allagash Falls and paddling Eagle Lake, where she heard a dozen loons vocalizing and saw an immature moose, which inspired the enclosed moose painting.

During her stay, Haley immersed herself in nature and studied the many moods of the Waterway. She completed numerous plein air paintings, working quickly to capture the light, color, and the unique aspect or essence of the Allagash, which will inform her final paintings.

“The AWW Residency more than fulfilled my expectations!” exclaimed Haley, “It was an experience of a lifetime to have the time to immerse myself in nature and paint. I want to return to see more of the AWW and paint it in all the seasons.”

Haley recommends the Residency to artists who are comfortable with solitude in a remote wilderness setting, even if they invite the one allowed guest. They may not see people for days, other than the much-appreciated occasional visit or outing with an Allagash Ranger. She also says it is important to relax and take it all in, to reflect, to draw, photograph, and paint, and to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

To learn more about Haley and her art, visit her website: [link removed]

To learn more about the Residency at the Lock Dam Cabin in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, visit the AWW Artist Residency page [ [link removed] ].

~ Mark Deroche, Superintendent of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway

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Indigenous Peoples' Day - Monday, October 13

John Neptune, Lieutenant Governor (1767-1865), Penobscot Representative to the Maine Legislature.

This Indigenous Peoples' Day take some time to learn about the history of the Wabanaki Nations. 

*Event:*


* Abbe Museum - October 13, 10:30 - Noon,
Inter-Tribal drum group Rez Dogs drums for Indigenous Peoples' Day [ [link removed] ]

*Select Resources:*


* Wabanaki Reach page about Indigenous Peoples' Day [ [link removed] ] and other Wabanaki Reach Resources [ [link removed] ]
* Online Resource Library [ [link removed] ] by First Light

About the Photo: John Neptune, Lieutenant Governor (1767-1865). John Neptune was a Penobscot Representative to the Legislature in 1823, 1824, 1831, 1835, 1837, 1844, and 1861, and he was the Lieutenant Governor/Sub-Chief in 1847. Source: Maine State Archives and Maine State Museum.

~ Jocelyn Hubbell, Interpretive Specialist, BPL

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October Programs & Events

*Bradbury Mountain State Park, Pownal, Maine *


* October 25, 2025 : Autumn Adventure Day [ [link removed] ]

*Camden Hills State Park, Camden, Maine*


* October 4, 2025 : Bird Hike [ [link removed] ]
* October 5, 2025 : Owl Prowl [ [link removed] ]
* October 6, 2025 : Full Moon Observation & Yoga on Mt. Battie [ [link removed] ]

* October 8, 2025 : Movie Night [ [link removed] ]
* October 11, 2025 : Cameron Mountain Blueberry Field Restoration [ [link removed] ]
* October 22, 2025 : Historical Hike--The Great Disappointment of 1844 [ [link removed] ]

*Range Pond State Park, Poland, Maine*


* October 3, 2025 - October 31, 2025: Book Drop-off: Lightly Used Books [ [link removed] ]
* October 6, 2025 : Mountain Bike with the Ranger [ [link removed] ] 
* October 25, 2025 : Mountain Bike with the Ranger [ [link removed] ]

*Reid State Park, Georgetown, Maine*


* October 18, 2025 : Haunted Tides [ [link removed] ]

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Fall Foliage: Where to Leaf Peep

Fall foliage at Grafton Notch State Park, 2024. Photo by Jocelyn Hubbell.

Leaf Peeping is taken seriously in Maine, and if you want to know where the Autumn colors are best check out these resources:


* Maine Foliage Report [ [link removed] ] where you can check foliage status, learn about the best scenic byways to drive for leaf peeping, and sign up to have the weekly reports emails to you.
* BPL's recommended self-guided hikes, rids and paddles [ [link removed] ]. Includes webcams around Maine.

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Ranger Academy 2025 - Compliance & Enforcement

Ranger Academy 2025 graduates and instructors.

Graduates, planning team and DACF leadership from left to right: Ron Hunt, Donna McGraw, Joshua Hastings, Russell Davidson, Erik Hallsey, Michael McShane, Cameron McIntosh, Bailey Clark, Aleksei Hamm, Walter O’Driscoll, Matthew Barrows, Anthony Romano, Alissa Lutz, Samantha Wilkinson, Theodore Hathaway, Eric Hurley, Keith Turdo, Kyle O’Neil, Daniel McCue, Haylee Parsons, Mark Deroche, Gary Best, Nancy McBrady.

Congratulations to the 2025 graduating class of the Maine State Parks Ranger Academy: Compliance and Enforcement!

Over the course of an intensive nine-day training, 17 of our Park Rangers and Park Managers strengthened their skills and knowledge to better serve and protect Maine’s natural and cultural resources, and the millions of visitors who enjoy them each year.

Training covered a wide range of focused topics, including:


* Verbal Judo
* Bureau of Parks and Lands compliance & enforcement policies, rules, and regulations
* Civil liability and 4th Amendment rights
* Issuance of summons, protecting a crime scene, and traffic control
* Defensive tactics, and chemical agent (OC spray) training
* Ethics and leadership
* Emergency response, and incident report writing
* domestic violence and diversity awareness
* Partnering with law enforcement agencies, Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, and Emergency Medical Services
* Over eight hours of scenario-based training to put learning into practice

This graduating class has demonstrated professionalism, dedication, and a commitment to protecting people, places, and resources across Maine. They are the next generation of leaders continuing the proud legacy of Maine State Park Rangers.

Please join us in celebrating their achievement!

~ Gary Best, Reginal Manager, Southern Parks

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Seboomook Public Lands Forest Management for Snowshoe Hare & Canada Lynx

Members of the team meeting to plan Forest Management at Seboomook Public Lands.

The group stands with the results of a timber harvest completed in 2017 in the background. The harvest released established conifer regeneration to stimulate vigorous growth of these young trees. L to R: Shevenell Webb, MDIFW Furbearer Biologist, Taylor Merrill, BPL Recreation Ranger, Mandy Farrar, Seboomook Unit Forester, Sarah Spencer, MDIFW Parks & Lands Biologist, Juliana Berube USFWS Fish & Wildlife Biologist.

On September 24th, staff from BPL, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service visited the Seboomook Unit to view past and planned forest management with a focus on developing habitat for snowshoe hare, the preferred prey of Canada lynx in Maine. Forest management for this purpose is a science-based approach of establishing or releasing conifer-dominant regeneration to create dense stands of trees less than 35 feet tall.

~ Sarah Spencer, BPL Wildlife Biologist, CWB®, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife

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Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park - Improved Facilities

Park entrance booth before and after renovation at Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park.

Park entrance booth before and after renovation at Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park.

Before and after renovation shots of the restroom at Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park.

The restroom building before and after replacement at Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park.

Bus parking before and after renovation at Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park.

Bus parking before and after renovation at Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park.

Thanks to American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, we've seen dramatic improvements to the facilities at Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park. In addition to the renovation of the entrance booth, replacement of the restroom building, and improved bus parking, the park's gravel road and edging has been greatly improved. I am thankful to Owen Blease, BPL's Director of Real Property Management, his team, and the construction crews who completed the work, and our park visitors for being understanding on the few days we had to close the park to allow completion of the projects.

~ Andy Hutchinson, Manager, Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park

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Send article suggestions or newsletter comments to Jocelyn Hubbell <[email protected]>, Interpretive Specialist, webmaster, and newsletter editor for the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands.

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