Monhegan Island: Jewel of the Sea, Maine

The Trip

Monhegan is a small, rocky island 10 miles off the coast of Maine, measuring scarcely a square mile in area. It is accessible only by boat, and motorized vehicles are permitted only by the very few who make their livelihood on the island. For more than 100 years, Monhegan has been a summer haven for artists and other visitors who appreciate its isolation, quiet atmosphere, unhurried pace, and the beauty of its wilderness. The unoccupied island areas, called the Wildlands, make up about 80 percent of the island. These are almost entirely owned by the Monhegan Associates, a land trust created by Theodore Edison, son of inventor Thomas Edison. About 17 miles of trails, often steep and strenuous, lead through wooded areas and over rocky ledges up to some of the highest ocean cliffs on Maine's offshore islands.

We plan to have a work-free day (or two half days), which may be used to hike to the island's spectacular viewpoints, visit the galleries of local artists, or just relax. A visit to the cemetery is of interest to most and includes the grave of Theodore Edison (son of Thomas Edison). There is no formal entertainment such as golf or tennis on the island. However, there is a small swimming beach for those who enjoy being in 50-degree water. Sometimes we are invited to visit the Island’s one-room school, meet the students and teacher and experience K-8 education “Island style.”

The Project

We will mostly be cutting and hauling invasive plants and bushes (Japanese barberry and others), but we may also help clean up ocean debris from the shoreline and do trail improvements.

Day 1: Our group will gather and board the ferry together (reservations and ferry price included) after lunch on Friday from the mainland to Monhegan Island. Once on the island, we'll carry personal gear to the cottages, have a group orientation, set up, and cooperatively prepare for the various logistics of the week.

Days 2-7: On these days we'll work (up to 7 hours each day) on our service projects. We will also learn and practice conservation techniques and enjoy group meals together.

Day 8: After packing personal items, everyone helps to clean cottages and other areas our group used, and carry group recyclables and other items to the ferry dock. Taking the ferry together, we plan to arrive back to the mainland on the second Friday, according to our ferry’s schedule and as weather permits. Our scheduling information will be known by the time you are approved for trip participation.

Getting There

To maximize carpooling efforts, it is advised you arrive in Portland on Thursday (one day prior to the official beginning of the trip). Once at our meeting place (about two hours' driving time from Portland), Thursday's arrivals may opt to enjoy an informative early evening Puffin Watch boat cruise (your cost is about $40/each) and/or join the leaders for a pre-trip restaurant dinner (price not included). Lodging Thursday night is not included in your trip price.

Details for making Thursday reservations for yourself will be given well in advance, including lodging options, the Puffin Watch, and Thursday's dinner.

Public Transportation: After your reservation is confirmed and you have received official leader approval, book your travel to Portland Jetport (PWM) or bus/train to Portland, Maine then carpool or hire a car service to our meeting place. (Public bus service only goes as far as Damariscotta, Maine and requires arriving a day early. Ask leader for possible carpooling for the last few miles from Damariscotta.)

The trip leader will survey approved trip applicants for those willing to share contact information for the purposes of carpooling. On past trips, most drivers have volunteered to pick up participants requesting a ride (contributing to driver expenses) in the Portland area on Thursday prior to our trip and return to Portland in time for late Friday evening departures.

Please do not make travel arrangements until the leader has officially approved you as a trip member.

Accommodations and Food

Participants may bring a tent and enjoy the sounds of the ocean waves and sea life. Or, you may request a bed indoors, which will be assigned (a shared bedroom in a cottage or bunkhouse) provided by our volunteer cottage owners. Bed quality varies -- please do not expect luxury. Your own sleeping bag will be your bedding.

All participants, including those who bring their tent, have access to bathrooms for toilet and sinks, plus limited and brief personal showers. Our indoor bathrooms are “bare basics” and sometimes unique.

Group meals begin with day one’s dinner (evening meal) and end with day eight’s breakfast. Most meals are prepared and served cooperatively by group participants with our leaders. Each participant will sign up for a daily job, such as meal prep, meal cleanup, cleaning bathrooms and common areas, tending wood fireplace, caring for group tools, group trash, recyclables, composting, and various other cooperative tasks.

Strict vegan, Keto, any form of vegetarian, severe food allergies, and other special diets must be discussed in detail with the leader before applying for this trip. Together, we will determine if suitable food accommodations can be agreed upon.

Trip Difficulty

Whether you are 21 or 81, if you have a “can do," flexible attitude, approved clothing and equipment, trail hiking experience, and good physical stamina, we hope to find meaningful service work for you to do.

Participants need to be able to comfortably hike up to three miles at a group pace, while carrying trail tools and their own personal daypack, including two quarts of drinking water. Our service work often requires working with heavier hand tools (loppers, saws, etc.) under thorny bushes on rocky, very heavily vegetated terrain.

We embrace diversity within our group. Leader approval is based on ability to do the trip safely and cooperatively.

Equipment and Clothing

For our service work, participants need to bring well-fitted, sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support and adequate tread (i.e. Vibram). Due to possible wet and cool weather, you'll also need wool or synthetic-blend socks, hooded waterproof rain jacket, rain pants, and fast-drying work shirt and trousers -- not denim jeans or other heavy cotton (sweat shirts/sweat pants). Plan to layer with wicking clothing when temperatures drop. Lycra, Spandex (including leggings), and corduroy are very poor choices around thorny plants. Bring protective eyewear, leather work gloves, daypack, non-disposable eating utensils, plate/bowl/mug and two one-quart water bottles. Each participant needs to bring a sleeping bag. A detailed trip checklist will be emailed to each applicant to help plan for a safe, enjoyable trip. Trail tools and some large work gloves are provided.

Discuss your needs with the leader prior to making purchases. Often the leader can suggest alternatives or modifications after knowing what you may need.

References

Websites:

• Visitor's Guide to Monhegan Island: http://www.briegull.com/monheganwelcome
• Monhegan Associates: http://www.monheganassociates.org (An excellent, detailed website)

Conservation

We will teach and model environmentally sound conservation practices appropriate for this isolated island, including composting our non-dairy and non-meat food scraps; conserving water during all types of bathroom and cleaning activities; limiting our use of electricity; and avoiding disposable utensils, dinnerware, beverage containers, paper goods, and packaging (especially plastic bags). By bringing our own sleeping bag and towel, we avoid the expense and energy-consumption of laundry. We cooperatively reduce our carbon footprint by encouraging carpooling to and from the trip. On the trail, we will teach and model wilderness conservation practices.

Since its founding in 1892, The Sierra Club has worked to preserve and restore the natural environment we all share on this planet. Thousands of grassroots-level volunteers spearhead our efforts to conserve and sustain resources, both in our own backyards and on a global scale. Through direct experience in the outdoors, Sierra Club outings enable participants to better understand, advocate, and participate in the environmental conservation goals of the Club.

Service outings, in particular, stand out as one of the Sierra Club’s most important “boots on the ground” conservation efforts. The work done by service trip participants in our nation’s public lands is a way of practicing conservation in the most direct way possible, whether it’s improving access while preserving wilderness values, restoring wildlife habitat, or repairing human-caused damage to a natural area. Service trips are a great way to pitch in and do something tangible to make the world a better place; they’re a way to go beyond just talking about conservation; a way to get out there and experience conservation with your whole being.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.