“MATC volunteers epitomize the hardworking, independent spirit of Maine
– without them, the A.T. in Maine would not exist.”
-David B. Field, Honorary Campaign Chair
The Maine Trail Center is under construction!
We greatly appreciate our donors to Trail Champions and our dedicated volunteers who have made this incredible project a reality. The Trail Center will increase organizational capacity to dispatch crews, house volunteers, seasonal employees, teach trail building and other stewardship skills.
“We are thrilled to soon have a permanent basecamp for our hard working trail crew to enjoy while training and in-between projects on the A.T., with hot showers, tool storage, laundry facilities, comfortable living quarters, and convenient to the bustling Town of Skowhegan!”
-Sue Lussier, Co-Chairperson, Maine Trail Crew Committee
The MATC has now raised over $3 million towards the project from a mixture of public and private grants, bequests, business, and individual donations via the Trail Champions Campaign. The MATC has completed all the architecture, engineering and permitting requirements, put the project out to bid, and has contracted with Ranger Construction to complete the roadwork and building construction – now well underway!
The Maine Army National Guard assisted through its Innovative Readiness Program and provided free labor for the project. In 2022 and 2023, the 136th Engineering Battalion installed erosion control features, removed stumps, brought 800 feet of the road to subgrade, and built two sleeping quarters. MATC volunteers finished the crew quarters by shingling the exterior. This summer, Ranger Construction completed the roadway. They are now finishing constructing the main and maintenance buildings. The project is scheduled to be completed and ready for use in time for the 2025 field season! Stay tuned for the announcement of a date for the Maine Trail Center dedication ceremony, which will be next summer!
We are grateful to the nearly 500 donors who have contributed over $3 million to Trail Champions to date.
To join the list of contributors who are helping to make the Maine Trail Center a reality, please visit the donate page on this website. Thank you!
Our Mission: To build the Maine Trail Center, a multi-use facility dedicated to the maintenance and protection of the Appalachian Trail in Maine. The Center will host trail building and environmental education and train the youth, the next generation of trail maintainers.
The Need for the Maine Trail Center
We invite you to learn more and consider becoming a Trail Champion.
We continue to accept contributions to cover projected cost increases in building
materials and infrastructure.