The Maine Island Trail is a 350-mile waterway extending from Cape Porpoise Harbor, Kennebunkport, on the west, to the Canadian Maritimes on the east. The Trail winds its way along the coast, around magnificent and exposed capes, through protected saltwater rivers and quiet bays, and among islands large and small. It includes over 160 islands and mainland sites all of which are available for day visits or overnight camping.Since establishing the Maine Island Trail in 1988, the Maine Island Trail Association (MITA) has cared for the wild islands of coastal Maine by relying on a bond of trust between island owners and island visitors. In exchange for permission to visit the islands, owners receive assurance that MITA members will be educated in low-impact practices and their properties looked after by MITA volunteers.MITA has volunteer Monitor Skippers who ply Trail waters daily over the summer in MITA's red Lund skiffs and Island Adopter volunteers who manage smaller numbers of local islands in their own watercraft. Finally, volunteers participate in more than a dozen island cleanups along the Trail each year to ensure that each island is free of debris every spring and fall. MITA complements these critical on-the-water activities with a robust program of mainland education and outreach. This includes distribution of printed materials - such as an annual Guide to the Trail, regular newsletters, and educational brochures - which encourage safe and environmentally responsible use of the islands. Efforts also include hands-on Leave No Trace seminars, informational booths at boating-oriented shows and events, and many other activities designed to educate and instruct potential island visitors. MITA is able to continue these educational opportunities through the generous support of members and donors.More information about MITA, including how to become a member and how to volunteer, is available at www.mita.org or by calling (207)-761-8225.