I hope you’re all enjoying the holiday season. I certainly am, and I think John is too — but I can’t ask him. He’s vacationing at some ski mountain in western Maine. Lucky guy. I bet he’ll come back with some stories to share. But for now, you’re stuck with me and the many other BDN Outdoors bloggers. Don’t worry: we’ve got plenty of stories of our own. Here’s are a few recent articles and blog posts worth taking a look at. Oh, and be safe tonight while ushering in 2015!
— Aislinn Sarnacki
Collaborative project explores Mainer’s attack by polar bear, climate change
John and I teamed up to write about polar bears last week, and more specifically, a Maine resident who was attacked by a polar bear while on a wilderness expedition last year. His scary experience is retold in the new ebook “Meltdown: Terror at the Top of the World,” by Maine native Sabrina Shankman, who ties the story to the science of climate change.
North Woods national park proponents hiring outreach coordinator to promote plan
The effort to create a North Woods national park adjacent to Baxter State Park soon will have a local voice to answer people’s questions and enlist their support. Learn about this new position and what it means for the proposed park.
Blog log
Act Out with Aislinn: Start out 2015 right with a First Day Hike
As a part of the America’s State Parks First Day Hikes initiative, the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands will host free, guided First Day Hikes at five Maine state parks on New Year’s Day.
“Thanks to Bob Duchesne and Matt Dunlap, you can now hear the discussion of hunting ethics that, in Bob’s words, ‘should have happened during the bear referendum — but didn’t.’
“Secretary of State Matt Dunlap was the guest on Bob’s Saturday morning radio show recently, specifically to discuss hunting ethics.”
1-minute hike: Fernald’s Neck Preserve in Lincolnville
The 328-acre Fernald’s Neck Preserve occupies much of a peninsula that juts out into Megunticook Lake, a beautiful body of water in Lincolnville and Camden. Established in 1969, the preserve is home to an old evergreen forest, nearly four miles of shoreline, The Great Bog, and about 3.5 miles of walking trails.
On the horizon
Ice fishing season begins Jan. 1, but be careful out there. Thin ice is no joke. Each year, accidents happen. In fact, just this week, Allagash Wilderness Waterway rangers reported hazardous ice conditions on Allagash headwater lakes. That being said, we’re looking forward to sharing some of Maine’s ice fishing stories this season. But we’ll need your help.
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