STRONG — The High Peaks Alliance convened a motorized meetup on Dec. 5, bringing together snowmobile and ATV clubs from across the High Peaks region.

Attendees included state Sens. Russell Black and Joe Martin; James Turner, Matt Foster and Brian Milligan from the state’s All-Terrain Vehicles program; Doug Dickinson from the Maine ATV Coalition and Karen Varney of ATV Maine; Al Swett and Brent Spaulding from the Maine Snowmobile Association; and representatives from 16 clubs.

The meeting focused on addressing critical trail management challenges and regional collaboration. Participants engaged in four breakout sessions covering landowner relations, workforce and material sourcing, efficiency improvements and regional cooperation.

Landowner relations emerged as a significant concern, with clubs discussing strategies to track changing ownership, address concerns promptly, and find innovative ways to recognize landowners’ contributions, according to a news release from Amanda Laliberte with the High Peaks Alliance.

Workforce challenges were also highlighted, with clubs expressing the need for more volunteers, especially younger members, and identifying local contractors for trail work.

Clubs explored efficiency improvements, including volunteer management strategies and equipment sharing. The possibility of merging clubs was discussed, along with the potential for developing more unified regional trail systems.

Funding opportunities to support trail development were also discussed.

State program updates were provided, including introductions to new personnel and information on available resources from the Maine Snowmobile Association and the State of Maine. The meeting underscored the importance of maintaining Maine’s extensive trail network through cooperative efforts between local clubs, landowners and state agencies.

Topher Hunt of the Salem Sno-Drifters invited the attendees to a work day on the temporary bridge on Rapid Stream in Kingfield held recently. Seventeen volunteers from New Vineyard, Narrow Gauge, North Franklin, Sno-Drifters, and the Kingfield Quad-runners helped repair the bridge.

Check out other upcoming area events!