Margaret C. Emerson Award

The Margaret C. Emerson Award, established in 1995, is MITA’s highest honor. This award is intended to recognize the volunteer who has demonstrated an inspirational level of altruism by providing outstanding service on behalf of Maine’s islands. It is named for Margaret Emerson who, along with her husband Ed, was the first private island owner to include her island in the Maine Island Trail system. The recipients of this award have displayed this same spirit of generosity through their dedication to MITA and the islands.

Monitor Program Award

This award recognizes the outstanding service of our monitor skippers who act as ambassadors of MITA and offer their expertise, time and passion to the Trail islands throughout the summer boating season.

Island Adopter Award

This award recognizes the critical stewardship and educational role that island adopters play in the ongoing care of the Trail islands. The Adopt-an-Island Program is MITA’s flagship stewardship program.

Island Cleanup Award

This award recognizes our cleanup volunteers who descend upon the islands each spring and fall to clear the shorelines of marine debris.

Office Support Award

This award recognizes the contributions of the office volunteers who work diligently behind-the-scenes to ensure that all areas of the organization including stewardship, membership, marketing, development and outreach remain successful.

Outreach Award

This award recognizes the outreach and events volunteers who serve as MITA messengers OFF the water by educating the public about our programs, mission, and stewardship work on the coast.

Most Valuable Partner Award

Collaboration is essential to the ongoing success of the Maine Island Trail Association. This award recognizes a partner organization that has been instrumental in helping us increase public access opportunities, strengthen island stewardship, and raise awareness of low-impact recreational along the coast.

Note: Additional awards are sometimes presented to mark special contributions by volunteers.

Margaret C. Emerson Award Recipients

• 2008 Greg Barmore
• 2007 Robby Pawle
• 2006 Steve Spencer
• 2005 Jeremy Wintersteen
• 2004 Morris Hancock
• 2003 Jim Dugan
• 2002 Merv Taylor
• 2001 Jon & Charlotte Lawton
• 2000 Chris Tadema-Wielandt
• 1999 Henri Gignoux
• 1998 Ted Scharf
• 1997 Sid Quarrier
• 1996 Bob & Marietta Ramsdell