2026 Washington County Paddle Partnership
This summer, the Woodie Wheaton Land Trust is partnering with Downeast Coastal Conservancy and Downeast Lakes Land Trust to offer a free, guided paddle series across Washington County. Each outing brings you to a different conserved landscape, creating a unique opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Downeast Maine while getting to know the land trusts working together to protect it.
Maine has an incredible conservation story to tell. As of 2025, our state leads the nation in land trusts per capita, with 84 organizations collectively conserving close to 3 million acres. That work fills an important gap. Because less than 7% of Maine’s land is publicly owned, a figure significantly lower than in many other states
Here in Washington County, we are fortunate that these three land trusts are collaborating to steward the landscapes that define this place we all love. And yet, despite the abundance of conserved lands around us, many people have not had the opportunity to experience them firsthand. This paddle series is an invitation to do just that.
Here's the details:
SPEDNIC LAKE PADDLE TO MUD LAKE FALLS
Date: Sunday, July 12th 9 AM - 12 PM (Rain date Sunday, July 19)
Location: Meet at the WWLT Center, 2 Grove Road, Forest City Twp., ME 04413. We will carpool to the boat launch from there.
Host: Woodie Wheaton Land Trust
Registration: Email Anna at anna.levitsky@woodiewheaton.org to register. WWLT has a limited supply of available canoes available for those who need one. Please reserve. If you would like to attend but cannot paddle, let us know and we can make accommodations.
Details: Paddle the scenic wilderness of Spednic Lake in Forest City to Mud Lake Falls at the Maine-New Brunswick border, enjoy a glimpse of old-growth forest with an optional hike to the falls, and learn about local conservation along the way. Wrap up back at WWLT's Tannery Shores property for a provided picnic lunch.
VINING LAKE PADDLE
Date: Saturday, August 22nd 10 AM - 1 PM (Rain date Sunday, August 23rd)
Location: Meet in the parking lot at Vining Lake Community Preserve, which is at the end of the Vining Road in Cooper.
Host: Downeast Coastal Conservancy
Registration: Email Matt at matt@downeastcoastalconservancy.org to register.
Details: A paddle at Vining Lake Community Preserve in Cooper. We will paddle the remote and scenic lake which is the center of 406 ecologically rich acres of conserved land and is home to iconic Maine species such as Moose and Brook Trout. After a lap around the lake, we will take out at the granite outcropping, hike to the marsh overlook, and then come back to the designated lakeside campsite and fire ring to roast hot dogs over a fire for lunch. BYOB! Bring your own canoes and kayaks as DCC does not have any to provide. Meet at the Vining Lake Community Preserve parking lot at the end of the Vining Road in Cooper.
4th LAKE PADDLE
Date: Thursday, September 17th 9 AM - 3 PM
Location: Meet at the Grand Lake Stream Dam (end of Shaw Street, Grand Lake Stream)
Host: Downeast Lakes Land Trust
Registration: Email Collin at cbrown@downeastlakes.org to register.
Details: Paddle your way through history as we visit an ancient Wabanaki fishing weir and continue to the newly reclaimed Gassabias Carry, a storied portage linking tow watersheds. Along the way, we'll spotlight the stunning 4th Lake Ecological Reserve and share what makes this landscape so special. We'll meet at the Grand Lake Dam between 8:30 and 9:00 AM and depart at 9 AM sharp to drive 30 minutes to 4th Lake together. Bring a packed lunch.