Since the inception of the Maine Woods Initiative in December 2003, the effort has enjoyed support from a great number of Appalachian Mountain Club members, colleagues, neighbors, and friends who recognize the positive impact a project with the initiative’s scope and vision can have on the future of the Maine Woods.

Supporters have given of their time, their finances, their expertise, and their passion to help ensure the success of the Maine Woods Initiative. Among those who have given their support in each of these areas are Peter and Janet Roderick. Their ongoing support of the initiative—the most ambitious conservation and recreation project in AMC’s history—comes out of their love for the Maine Woods and concern for the ability of future generations to experience the magic of this magnificent landscape.

As native Mainers, Peter and Janet grew up in families where spending lots of time in the woods and on the lakes and ponds was a traditional part of having a good time. They learned to hunt and fish and enjoyed being out on the land from an early age. As a result of those early outdoor experiences the pair always considered those opportunities to be their birthright -- something that would always be there. But with widespread changes in land ownership in the north woods, they say, those assumptions of lifelong access and opportunity are no longer valid.

The Rome, Maine, couple have been active members of the AMC for more than 10 years, and Peter is past chair of the Maine Chapter. Recently, they added even greater strength to the Campaign for the Maine Woods through their donation designated to “Protect an Acre,” helping AMC realize its goal of welcoming 1,000 Acre Protectors to the campaign.

“When we learned of the Campaign for the Maine Woods, we both quickly agreed that we needed to do our very best to support the AMC’s goals,” the couple wrote in a recent campaign newsletter. “We realized that this opportunity to protect the future of a sizeable portion of the 100-Mile Wilderness is our best chance of ensuring that future generations will be able to learn first hand the joy of being in the woods and on the waters of this special place.”