If you have a boat and want to contribute to the upkeep of some of Maine’s most spectacular islands, then the island adopter program may be for you!

Island adopters are volunteer stewards who visit one or more islands on the Maine Island Trail in their own boats and at their own convenience. On their visits, island adopters make observations about island conditions and recreational use, clean the shoreline and campsites, and tackle any small projects that need to be done. Adopters play a vital role in MITA’s island stewardship efforts by serving as casual island caretakers and ambassadors of responsible recreational use. Along with MITA monitor skippers, island adopters help ensure that these wonderful places remain well-protected and open for public enjoyment for generations to come. MITA utilizes over 100 island adopters each season.

What Do Island Adopters Do?

VISIT: Most adopters visit their adopted islands several times during the summer boating season (June through September). Some adopters visit their islands on a weekly basis, others once or twice per season. No matter how many trips are made – know that each one has a lasting impact on the health of Maine islands.

OBSERVE: While visiting the islands, adopters make observations and record information on the environmental health of the island, campsite condition, presence of wildlife, number of recreational users on the island at the time of the visit, the types of users present (commercial groups, families, etc), user activity (such as camping or picnicking), and the number and types of boats.

CLEAN: If possible, while on the island adopters may clean up any trash that has washed up on the shoreline or was left behind by visitors. If unauthorized fire pits are found, adopters dismantle them.

EDUCATE: Adopters are one of MITA’s best resources for communicating Leave No Trace information to recreational users when they need it most – out on the islands. Adopters are invited to interact with island visitors to the degree that they are comfortable and share their knowledge of responsible island use. Adopters are NOT expected to enforce island usage guidelines or put themselves in confrontational situations. MITA provides adopters with information to help answer questions that visitors might have, and talking points with examples of possible scenarios and solutions.

REPORT: Adopters submit reports of island visits using the Log a Visit website and/or by emailing the stewardship manager at stewards@mita.org. Island adopter and monitor skipper reports help MITA make stewardship and management decisions throughout the season based on the most current information available.