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For more information about AMC's Maine Woods Initiative or to support the Campaign for the Maine Woods, visit outdoors.org/mwi. For the latest on skiing, hiking, paddling, and fishing opportunities near AMC's Maine Wilderness Lodges, see outdoors.org/mainelodges. Watch Senior Staff Scientist Dave Publicover discuss AMC's sustainable forestry methods in a video shot on the organization’s property in Maine.

There's a woman riding a moose in downtown Greenville, near the shores of Moosehead Lake. Her feet are bare. A smile stretches across her young face. She clutches a camera near her eye, ready to capture the moment. Wind sweeps back her long dark hair, revealing another objective of this ride: A thin black strap stretches over her shoulder, holding a hunting rifle tight against her back.

Who is this mysterious rider? On one level, she is a simple wooden icon hanging above a small shop on the town's main thoroughfare. On a deeper level, however, she is a symbol of the profound changes that are transforming this region, a shifting balance between nature-based tourism and traditional uses that together define the present—and future—of the Moosehead Lake region.

AMC's Maine Woods Initiative (MWI) is playing an integral role in building that future. In 2003, AMC purchased 37,000 acres of forests, lakes, and mountains just east of Greenville and launched an ambitious, long-term effort built around several core principles: to promote and increase outdoor recreation opportunities; to manage its lands as a model of sustainable forestry, ecological protection, and land conservation; to connect the area's youth with the wilds in their own backyard; and to help build a stronger and healthier local economy. Over the ensuing years, MWI has grown to encompass more than 66,000 acres of conservation land and more than 70 miles of trails.

And AMC is just getting started. "As part of Vision 2020, we are working to realize the full potential of the Maine Woods Initiative," says Walter Graff, senior vice president and chief architect of the initiative. "There is more to be done in lifting up the local economy, creating more recreational and nature-based tourism opportunities, working with our neighbors to conserve more forest land, and perhaps most importantly, getting more local kids—the future stewards of the region—outdoors."

This ongoing effort has directly affected many of the residents, businesses, and youth of the Moosehead Lake region. This is the story of three people who have witnessed these changes firsthand.

The Ultimate Adventure Outfitter
Mike Boutin is a busy guy. The owner of Northwoods Outfitters sits at a cluttered desk one floor above the retail operations. Historic photos and landscape images rest against the baseboard on one side of the room, waiting to be hung on the surrounding bare walls. One of his employees trots in. Somebody needs payment ASAP. Mike quickly signs a blank check, hands it off, and then leans back in his chair, clasping his hands together on a faded green cap embroidered with the words "North Maine Woods."

His youthful, clean-shaven features relax as he reflects on his personal connection with the region. "Moosehead Lake has always been special to my family. My father and grandfather were avid sportsmen," he recounts. "This is where we came to play. I started fishing here when I was 9."

Born in the Winslow-Waterville area, Mike attended high school in Freeport and then spent four years in the military as a medic and surgical assistant. After that, he spent four more years doing service work in places like Bosnia and Somalia. He returned to Greenville in 1994. "What drew me back were the huge tracts of undeveloped land here," he says. That winter he wrote the business plan for Northwoods Outfitters while working as a lift operator at the nearby Squaw Mountain ski area.

Today a large sign adorns the roof of the building and declares Northwoods Outfitters to be "Maine's Ultimate Adventure Outfitter." In addition to selling camping, fishing, and other outdoor gear, Mike employs nine guides as part of his outfitting service, which offers moose-watching trips, fishing and rafting excursions, snowmachine and ATV tours, and other outdoor adventures. It's by far the largest such operation in town.

"Nature-based tourism is not a new thing here," he says. "It dates back to well before the turn of the [20th] century. What is new, however, is the different activities that are now available." Traditional pursuits such as fishing and hunting remain popular. But over the past two decades other forms of outdoor recreation, including hiking, paddling, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and other human-powered activities, have significantly increased in appeal.

AMC is working to further expand this array of potential adventures, building a network of hiking trails and campsites on its property, operating three remote sporting camps for overnight guests, establishing bike routes and canoe access points, and creating cross-country ski trails—including lodge-to-lodge multiday ski adventures. All of its lands, trails, and waters are open to the public.

In the summer, Northwoods Outfitters is a regular stopping point for both AMC visitors and staff. In the winter, guests staying at AMC's lodges rendezvous at the store prior to heading out. Pat Gruenberg, Mike's life partner of nearly 20 years, helps coordinate AMC's winter logistics, especially for lodge-to-lodge skiing excursions. "AMC has had a great impact on increasing cross-country ski interest in the area," she says. "They've also become much more involved in the community."

Mike agrees. "Since the beginning, AMC has always made an effort to have a relationship with us and work with local businesses to help them," he says. "They bring more people to our business and have given us the opportunity to do more guiding for their guests."

AMC's goal is to boost the local economy while increasing outdoor recreation opportunities. "In 2010, AMC spent a combined $4 million in the regional community," says Gary Dethlefsen, AMC's MWI operations manager. "Much of that, more than $2 million, was for the renovation of Gorman Chairback Camp, AMC's newest overnight facility. Nearly all of the contractors we hired—and most of the material used for the renovation—came from the surrounding area. At one point, there were more than 30 people from the Greenville area out there working." AMC also purchases all of its food, fuel, and other supplies for its sporting camps from local businesses.

Forester for Life
Ted Shina stops his truck and stares ahead at a stretch of rutted dirt road. He thinks for a moment, shifts into park, and hops out. "Hmm...maybe it's not so bad." He tamps a black boot on the ground, then takes a step. The ground abruptly slurps underfoot and sucks him down past his ankle. "Nope," he confirms as he gingerly dances over to more solid ground. "Would've been up to my ears if I drove through that."

Ted is an operations forester for Maine-based Huber Resources, tasked with managing all of the forestry operations on AMC's Maine Woods property. A resident of Old Town, about 60 miles south of Greenville, he's been stomping around the woods of central and northern Maine as a forester for 34 years. Today he's on the southern half of AMC's property, scouting out a potential area for logging operations this summer.

Ted looks up the road. "Well, there's nothing like shoe leather." He digs out a bright orange vest, throws it over a camouflage jacket, and starts walking. The drumbeat of a grouse echoes through the damp forest as he strides down the overgrown road, continually scanning left and right, using decades of experience to quickly evaluate the species mix, terrain, cords per acre, and other details essential to planning a successful forestry operation.

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