2025 Recap
OSI’s Community-Based Leadership Peer Advising Cohort gather around the fire in Virginia’s George Washington National Forest to discuss lessons from 25+ years of trail development with Rich Edwards.
As the year draws down towards the winter solstice,
we gather close in reflection and gratitude. 2025 was an awesome year and we are thankful for the communities, partners, and leaders we were able to support. Here’s a brief look at some of our work from the past year.
Statewide
“Thank you for partnering with us; you’ve been an awesome organization to work with. Your interest and attention to this area of Maine make us feel valued.”
Over 250 miles of trails planned and 27 communities were engaged in trail development across Maine.
More than 65 miles of trails designed by OSI staff across 12 different communities.
We worked with 54+ organizations in planning, design, and consultation around community-based outdoor recreation.
Over 400 hours of education and training delivered to leaders in the rural outdoor recreation workforce.
Supported over $2 million in proposals to the Maine Trails Program.
Old Canada Road Board Member, Adam Chase, joins for a day of fieldwork planning trails in the vast Upper Kennebec Valley.
OSI Staffer Baileigh Studer leads a session during Mountain Bike Based Leadership training.
Community program leaders from across the state take part in OSI’s ACA Swiftwater Rescue training on the West Branch of the Penobscot.
An aspiring trail designer is mentored while hanging flags in Island Falls, ME.
In the Katahdin Region
“I just really want to say thank you to everyone who made this internship possible. It is the most fun job I’ve ever had. It also opened up my eyes to a whole new industry that I never saw myself in or knew about. I have learned so much and I will cherish this experience.”
OSI provided 12 new paid work experiences in community activation, gear management, and trail construction for young people.
We replaced and expanded mountain bike fleets for our Katahdin Gear Library program at two locations in the north and south ends of the region.
We grew the Katahdin Area Trails initiative to 25+ miles of trail from Mt Chase to Millinocket and held our first-ever Trail Rally.
We worked with partner organizations to provide 200 hours of KROC youth programming.
Working with educators at Stearns, Schenck, Medway, and Katahdin schools, OSI staff delivered 21 different in-school programs.
OSI’s 2025 Katahdin Region Team taking a break at one of the region’s local gems.
Fresh KGL bikes ready to roll at the new Peavey Brook Outdoor Center in Patten, ME.
Participants in our inaugural KAT Trail Rally!
Youth hit the river in this summer’s KROC overnight paddling trip.
Katahdin Region Crew Leader, Elyssia Smith, putting in the finishing touches on a boardwalk at Mt Chase Community Trails.
Refining the art of the solo portage during OSI’s River Based Leadership training.
Looking forward
The outdoors and outdoor sport is a way forward for us and our communities – it helps root people to place and each other, physically not virtually. We are working to build a future where we’re side-by-side and face-to-face with the outdoors and each other. This is what strong communities have always been about, and your support will help us all get there.
Your donation supports -
More trails that are purpose-built, sustainable, and easy for communities to access.
More people trained and mentored in growing and sustaining outdoor recreation in their communities.
More partners coming together to support positive outdoor opportunities for all ages and abilities.
You can also make a donation by:
Mailing a check to P.O. Box 112, Caribou ME 04462.
Visiting us in-person at the Katahdin Gear Library (215 Penobscot Ave, Millinocket) during the Millinocket Marathon on December 6th.