Woodie Wheaton Land Trust

10/23/2026

What a summer it’s been around the Chiputneticook Lakes! Our team spent the season out on the water and in the woods, and we’re grateful for everyone who joined us.

In July, we paddled Spednic Lake to Mud Lake Falls at the Maine-New Brunswick border, caught a glimpse of old-growth forest, and wrapped up with a picnic lunch at Tannery Shores. That Spednic Lake paddle kicked off the 2026 Washington County Paddle Partnership with Downeast Coastal Conservancy and Downeast Lakes Land Trust, which also brought paddlers to Vining Lake in Cooper and the 4th Lake Ecological Reserve.

Back in Forest City, work got underway on the Tannery Shores boathouse, and we have already moved our canoes into the remodeled boathouse.

Thank you to every paddler, volunteer, and supporter who made this summer possible. The Tannery Shores work continues this fall, so catch up on the latest at woodiewheaton.org/news-events.

10/05/2026

Fall is officially here, and once again, Mother Nature is showing off.

It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve experienced fall in Maine. There’s still something about it that makes you stop and look a little longer. Maybe even pull over for a picture you probably already have 100 versions of on your phone.

We consider ourselves pretty lucky to have this view every year. But we’re even luckier to play a small part in making sure others will have the chance to experience it years from now.

Because these views are more than just pretty.

Every person who drives north to see the leaves change is also stopping for gas, grabbing lunch, staying at a camp or lodge, visiting a local shop, hiring a guide, or finding some other reason to spend a little more time here. Across Maine, direct spending during the roughly two-month fall tourism window has reached an estimated $1.9 billion. Across New England, fall foliage travel generates billions more.

That’s a pretty remarkable reminder that those red, orange and yellow hillsides outside your windshield have real value to the small rural communities along the way.

And maybe what’s even more remarkable is just how much forest there is to turn those colors.

Maine is the most heavily forested state in the country, with "about 90% of the state still covered in forest" according to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. That’s roughly 18 million acres. Of that, nearly 3 million acres have been conserved by Maine’s land trust community.

Those numbers can be hard to picture.

But this time of year, you can actually see what they mean.

They’re the hillsides surrounding East Grand and Spednic Lake. The long stretches of road through Forest City. The places that make you slow down, look out the window and remember why this corner of Maine is so special.

Fall puts on the show.

Our job is to make sure there’s still a stage for it.

DownEast Acadia Friends of East Grand Lake My Aroostook! Maine Land Trust Network Land Trust Alliance Maine Tourism Association

10/02/2026

🛶 Counting Loons 🛶

Earlier this summer our Land Steward, Erik, and his wife, Anne, went out to participate in the Maine Audubon 2026 Loon Count.

Each year, volunteers across Maine get out onto lakes and ponds to count loons and help Maine Audubon monitor the health and population of this beloved symbol of Maine's wilderness. These annual counts provide valuable information about loon populations, and researchers understand how they are doing across the state.

We are grateful to Erik and Anne for taking the time to join this important event and for giving us this beautiful view from the bow of their canoe.

Want to participate next year? The Maine Audubon Loon Count takes place each July, and volunteers of all experience levels can participate. Keep an eye on Maine Audubon's website and social media for information about the 2027 Loon Count and how to sign up. Visit maineaudubon.org/projects/loons/annual-loon-count/ for more information and to see the results.

Maine Audubon

09/28/2026

While participating in Maine Audubon's 2026 Loon Count, our Land Steward, Erik, and his wife, Anne, managed to sneak up on these playful otters on Spednic Lake!

Check out the link to learn more about the Maine Loon Project and the Annual Loon Count:

https://maineaudubon.org/projects/loons/annual-loon-count/

09/17/2026

Please join us in welcoming two new members to the Woodie Wheaton Land Trust Board of Directors!

We are excited to welcome Tracy Bigney and David Vladimirou to our Board.

Tracy brings more than 30 years of experience in higher education, human resources, labor relations, and leadership, including serving as Chief HR Officer for the University of Maine System, to WWLT. She is passionate about hiking, family, music, and supporting WWLT's mission.

David brings a strong background in wealth management and extensive experience in financial consulting, investment management, and estate planning. He has a lifelong connection to the East Grand region, visiting since age 12 and staying at Wheaton's Lodge since 1982. He is passionate about preserving the area's natural character and outdoor traditions.

We are grateful for the knowledge, experience, and passion they each bring to our organization. Most importantly, we're excited to have them join a dedicated group of people working together to protect the land, waters, traditions, and special character of our region for generations to come.

Welcome to the WWLT family, Tracy and David!

Maine Land Trust Network DownEast Acadia Friends of East Grand Lake East Grand Lake, New Brunswick My Aroostook! Sunrise County Economic Council Greater East Grand Economic Council Greater East Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce

09/12/2026

As the seasons change, so do the sunsets. Or at least they appear to. Every sunset on East Grand Lake is special. We have never seen a bad one. When this photo was taken, a beaver moved off a nearby rock and slid into the water, and then an eagle passed over and landed in a nearby pine tree. Perfect additions to a quiet lakeside evening.

The beauty and tranquility of our region are second to none. And yes, we may be a little partial!

👇Drop a pic of your favorite sunset of the season in the comments below. Let's show 'em off!

DownEast Acadia Friends of East Grand Lake My Aroostook! East Grand Lake, Maine East Grand Lake, New Brunswick

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09/05/2026

Along the shores of Spednic Lake and the Upper St. Croix River, more than 50 miles of wild shoreline are protected. This means miles of undeveloped forest will continue to shade and protect clean water, provide wildlife habitat, preserve natural shorelines, and keep this remarkable borderland wild.

It also protects something deeply important to our region: the opportunity to experience the quiet, primitive landscape while listening to nothing but nature.
WWLT is proud to be part of this conservation effort, which protected a 500-foot corridor along 50 miles of lake and river frontage, totaling more than 3,000 acres of wildlife habitat.

If you haven't yet experienced the tranquility of Spednic Lake, it should be on your bucket list!

08/27/2026

Don’t miss this!

09/17/2026 @ 9:00 am - 3:00 pm - As part of the Summer Paddle Series with Washington County Land Trusts, join DLLT staff for a group paddle on beautiful Fourth Machias Lake! We'll paddle our way through history, as we visit the site of a Wabanaki fishing weir and discuss the Gassabias Portage - an a...

08/22/2026

A big thank you to Esther Tozier from Wild Child Botanicals, LLC. for leading our Walk & Talk on mushroom foraging today on the East Grand Highlands Trails! 🍄

Despite the dry season, we were amazed by how much we found. Thanks, Esther, for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm with us!