Making volunteering possible for those who want to

In 2017, Blue Hill Heritage Trust Executive Director Hans Carlson received an intriguing opportunity from Whit Whitney at the Maine Land Trust Network. Would BHHT like to participate in a pilot program connecting land trusts to the state of Maine’s advocacy group run by and for adults living with developmental disabilities, SUFU of Maine (Speaking Up For Us)? In fact, BHHT had long discussed the need for adding trails with more accessible features, not just for those with disabilities, but also for the entire community. This pilot program with SUFU seemed like a great way to engage with a segment of the population that was both wildly underserved, as well as wild about nature.

BHHT Development and Outreach Director Chrissy Allen took the lead on what turned into a multiyear relationship with SUFU, and later led to broader relationships with the land trust’s community.Collaborative programming between the two organizations was a big success, including a public blueberry picking event where members of local SUFU chapters, BHHT members and other community volunteers picked an admirable haul of wild organic Maine blueberries, which was then donated to the local food pantry. Everyone had a role in planning and, on the day of the event, everyone was included as an important member of the team. Another highlight of the pilot program was opportunities for volunteering, which SUFU helped BHHT organize, based on the land trust’s needs and each volunteer’s interest. From building bog bridges, to monitoring trail conditions or accessibility features, to collecting plant phenology data on one of the land trust’s trails for a statewide climate change citizen science project, SUFU volunteers provided BHHT with invaluable assistance.

One such volunteer is SUFU member Chris DuPont, who tracked the growth and development of several plants on the land trust’s properties. Chris was also part of the grounds crew and a volunteer for the Downeast Coastal Conservancy. Chris traveled to Rally 2018 in Pittsburgh with BHHT staff to present a workshop on their partnership. About his time at the land trust, Chris says, “Being able to work outside and get exercise at the same time is a dream come true.”

In the years since the pilot program, BHHT has worked steadily to address the needs of its entire community through its programming and trails. It recently completed a new trail suitable for all-terrain wheelchairs and strollers. The land trust has even more in the works, including creating programming around BHHT’s community garden with NatureLinks, a new local organization that provides naturebased education and experiences for young adults living with both developmental and physical disabilities. The land trust has also worked to make other programming more accessible for those not always comfortable traveling on a rough footpath into the woods. BHHT’s popular webinar series led by experts who virtually take you out in the field offers closed captioning and is free to anyone who wishes to participate or watch later on YouTube. BHHT has also found eager funding support from its donor base for special accessibility projects and grant-writing collaborations with its local chamber of commerce and healthy aging organizations.

Photos courtesy of Blue Hill Hertiage Trust