TURNER PUBLISHING • August 1, 2020
With so many programs for youth canceled this year due to COVID-19, Friends of Baxter State Park decided it would make changes necessary to ensure the Baxter Youth Conservation Corps could happen safely this summer. Over the last three years, the program has completed more than 5,524 hours of trail work and provided nearly $100,000 in payroll for the economy of the Katahdin Region. “Most trail work is not very conducive to social distancing,” said Aaron Megquier, executive director of the Friends group. “Our eight conservation fellows are working independently on a range of projects” said Megquier. “They are each spending at least two days per week out exploring in the Park, doing a lot of writing, and taking a ton of photo and video. They are also each completing an independent study related to the Park, on topics ranging from fisheries biology to Native culture.”