Stewardship Day with the Maine Island Trail Association (MITA)

We are excited to partner with MITA again this year to offer an OWL Stewardship Day on Harbor Head Island! MITA’s cleanups are full-day events where experienced volunteer skippers take crews to targeted islands to clean shorelines. They’re great introductions to volunteering with MITA, and give you a rare chance to explore the islands while keeping them clean for all. Volunteers ride in MITA’s fleet of skiffs to clean island shorelines, taking a break for lunch and returning by mid-afternoon.

Difficulty: Moderate. Participants should feel comfortable climbing in and out of small skiffs, scrambling over slick, rocky shorelines, and carrying bags of trash.

Required Gear

• Personal Flotation Device (PFD): If you do not have a USCG-approved PDF, reach out to Lizzie at lizzie@whrl.org, as MITA has life jackets that can be borrowed
• Clothing: Even if it is sunny, it can be cool and wet on the water! Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and non-cotton layers for the boat ride. Depending on the weather, we may also recommend rain gear (top and bottom).
• Footwear: Hiking boots, sneakers, or rubber rain boots are appropriate for this outing. You will be climbing in and out of a skiff, so plan for the possibility of getting your feet wet! If you don’t have waterproof shoes, consider bringing a second pair to get in and out of the boat.
• Lunch and drinking water
• A small backpack for keeping your lunch/water/supplies with you on the island.

Encouraged Gear (but not required)

• Work gloves
• Pocket knife for cutting line (serrated works best!)
• Insect repellent for ticks

Space is limited, and registration is required!

Please let us know if gas prices prevent you from participating! Contact lizzie@whrl.org.

Details about the 2025 location will be updated in the spring; winter storms dictate where stewardship is most needed.

Registration will open a month in advance.