Maine Appalachian Trail Club receives $2,700 Plum Creek Foundation grant

GREENVILLE — The Plum Creek Foundation announced recently that it awarded a $2,700 grant to the Maine Appalachian Trail Club to help fund the removal of overgrowth on the Gulf Hagas Rim trail.

According to Ron Dobra, overseer of trail for the club’s Whitecap district, the removal of the sprouting trees on the side of the gorge is essential to return views of seven vistas to their original state. The funds will be allocated toward the hiring of three arborists for a two-day tree and limb felling.

“The completion of this project is important for both public access to the national landmark, Gulf Hagas, and the safety of visitors and hikers,” Dobra said. “Thanks to the help of the Plum Creek Foundation, we can continue to provide access to the incredible beauty of Gulf Hagas.”

The club already has consulted with local arborists and identified seven problem areas to be cleared. The overgrowth is scheduled to be cleared as soon as possible.

The mission of the Maine Appalachian Trail Club is to construct, maintain and protect the Maine section of the Appalachian extending from Katahdin to Grafton Notch, along with side-trails, the corridor and system of shelters and campsites.

The mission of the Plum Creek Foundation is to provide philanthropic contributions to support and improve the general welfare of life in the communities that Plum Creek serves. The foundation board meets quarterly to review applications submitted from organizations in the company’s operating communities.