Coalition Building: Connecting Voices, Advancing Trails

At the Maine Trails Coalition, we believe our greatest strength lies in our collective voice. As a lean, people-powered organization, Coalition Building is at the heart of everything we do. We serve as a cross-sector trails convener, bringing together motorized and non-motorized trail users, local clubs, land trusts, municipalities, and state agencies to turn shared visions into reality.
Our coalition-building work moves the needle for Maine trails through two primary avenues:

• Convening: We host periodic summits, workshops, and statewide convenings that break down silos. These spaces allow trail builders and stakeholders to share technical resources, celebrate community milestones, and coordinate cross-border trail networks.
• Statewide Advocacy: We advocate for forward-thinking policy and robust funding models, such as the historic Maine Trails Program, ensuring that lawmakers and town officials recognize trails as fundamental infrastructure for our economy, environment, and public health.

By prioritizing active listening and partnership, we help ensure that Maine's diverse trail users are represented around the table. Our many voices are stronger together!
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Opportunities to Connect

A single trail doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and neither do the people who build them. Beyond our regular team strategy sessions, MTC hosts and participates in dynamic convenings designed to spark fresh ideas, share technical expertise, and build a stronger, more connected trail network across Maine.

MTC-Hosted Events: We gather trail builders, community leaders, and advocates to solve problems and plan for the future. Look out for:

• Topic-Specific Roundtables: Focused, action-oriented sessions designed to move high-priority trail initiatives forward.
• Technical Webinars: Deep dives into the practicalities of trail stewardship, covering critical topics like trail maintenance agreements and workforce development.
• The 2027 Statewide Convening: Landmark planning is already underway for our next major statewide gathering. Stay tuned for details on how to get involved.

Out in the Community: We believe the best ideas happen when we step outside our own circles. You can regularly find the MTC team presenting, paneling, and collaborating at premier regional events, including:

• The Maine Outdoor Economy Summit (Annual)
• The Maine Tourism Conference

Want to collaborate? If you are hosting an upcoming event, panel, or workshop and want an MTC representative to join the conversation, reach out to us at [email protected]
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What next? Planning for Maine’s Long-Term Trail Needs

One of MTC’s most critical convening efforts to date was helping unite statewide support for the historic $30 Million Maine Trails Bond, first rallying partners around the vision for state trail investment, and then mobilizing voters to pass the legislation. The cross-sector partnerships forged during that effort have only deepened in the years since.

As the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands concludes Round 2 of the Maine Trails Program in fall 2026, with two final grant rounds anticipated, trail advocates are turning their attention to the future. Across Maine, the demand for capital to restore, harden, and expand local trail networks remains substantial.

To ensure sustainable funding beyond the current bond cycle, key questions have emerged:

• Future bond measures: Should trail advocates pursue a second bond initiative with upcoming legislatures?
• State budget allocation: Is there a path to secure recurring operational and capital funding within the state budget?
• Dedicated revenue models: Should trail advocates explore alternative funding mechanisms, such as dedicated tax or fee structures?
• Broader integration: How do trails fit into the larger statewide funding landscape for outdoor recreation and conservation?

Strategic Convening: Long-Range Trail Funding (July 2026)​

To explore these core questions, the MTC Leadership Group hosted a Strategic Convening on Long-Range Trail Funding in Augusta in July 2026.

Participants reaffirmed a shared commitment to long-term collaboration, highlighting strong momentum around expanding the "tent." Meeting discussions focused on building a broader, multi-sector coalition that brings together trail groups, conservation organizations, and outdoor recreation advocates to shape the next major state funding initiative.

• Meeting Agenda
• Meeting Notes ​

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Resources and Examples

To foster conversation and understanding of possible options, participants at the meeting shared a number of resources:

• Additional funding mechanisms to consider
  • Natural Resources Council of Maine, Memorandum from Pete Didisheim, Senior Director of Advocacy - Options for Additional Funding for Maine Trails Program
  • Current ballot measures in other states:
    • Massachusetts ballot initiative
    • Colorado ballot initiative
• Trust for Public Land Maine 2023 Conservation Funding Feasibility Report
• High Peaks Alliance - High Peaks Initiative plans
  • State of the High Peaks 1 - Inventory of Resources
  • State of the High Peaks 2 - Assessment 
  • State of the High Peaks 3 - Regional Action Plan
• Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) - Read details and download the executive summary or the full plan here. 
• Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation, Maine's Ten Year Outdoor Recreation Economy Roadmap - Learn more and download the roadmap here. 
• Maine Office of Tourism, Destination Management Plan (updated in 2025)
• Maine ATV Coalition position paper- Sustainable Funding for Maine’s Motorized Trail System​​