Membership Survey Results
Friends recently carried out a survey to better understand the opinions and needs of our members and other stakeholders. Thank you so much to the 220 individuals who responded! The results were a pleasure to read and reminded us of our vital roles for our members and the Park.
Two themes rang true throughout the responses: an abiding passion for the Park, the remote, rugged experience it provides, and the importance of Percival Baxter’s legacy as laid out in the Deeds of Trust.
Most of our respondents enjoy hiking and camping, usually with friends and family. Frontcountry lean-tos and tent sites are the most popular camping destinations, although backcountry sites and cabins at Daicey and Kidney are also popular.
Respondents joined Friends because they believe in our mission and because being a Friends member keeps them connected to the Park. They love our youth programs, the Maine Youth Wilderness Leadership Program and Baxter Youth Conservation Corps. Respondents support our mission-centric advocacy activities, position statements, trail work, land acquisitions, and outreach/education.
You are doing a wonderful job. I love your youth involvement projects. That and advocacy are the reasons I continue as a member.
Friends gives me the chance to assist in the future of the Park.
It’s one of our favorite places on earth, and we wanted to be a part of protecting Baxter State Park for future generations and keeping it forever wild.
There are so many special memories it brings back. I want to give back some of what it’s given me.
Participants’ generational history with the Park also came through loud and clear! We enjoyed reading the responses related to years of family trips and the joy people found in introducing the next generation to Baxter State Park.
I have been visiting BSP since I was a kid, and it is a unique, special place to me and several generations of my family. We have a cherished family photo of my grandfather and his sister as teenagers on the mountain.
I want to keep the Park’s mission in alignment with Baxter’s vision and encourage the next generation to do the same.
Respondents were grateful for the Park management’s commitment to the Deeds of Trust and Percival Baxter’s vision. Respondents also appreciate the Park’s primitive campsites, controlled number of users, resource protection, limited technology, and abundant wildlife.
True wilderness experience. Total disconnection from technology, noise, and chaos of the outside world.
The outside world disappears when you’re in the Park. It’s a refuge.
It feels like my safe space. No other place makes me feel as peaceful and grateful.
What else can Friends do to support the Park?
We can work to expand education about the Park and its uniqueness, increase Park access for youth and others who may face barriers to visiting the Park, increase volunteer activities, advocate for mitigating the impacts of climate change, and support Park staff and Forever Wild management practices.
How can we support our members?
We can host Friends events both in the Park and around the state. We can encourage our members to share their stories, favorite places, and adventures in the Park. We can provide more communication by highlighting the “trails less traveled” or putting together some self-guided hikes. The organization needs to continue involving patrons of all ages and life stages to protect the Park.
We do not currently live in Maine, and our ability to experience Baxter is limited, so we rely on Friends to stay up on and experience what we can through the organization.
The virtual session you held in 2021 that allowed members to listen to experts was fantastic and a great experience for someone like me.
What are your favorite things about the Park? What would you like to see improved?
Respondents like the Park’s primitive, wild, natural, unchanged character and the solitude they find. They like the history of the Park and the various activities to experience, including enjoying the views and wildlife. Baxter’s vision and Park staff were also common responses as favorite things about the Park. Respondents would like to improve the reservation system, winter access for people as they age, more staff presence in campgrounds, and trail maintenance.
What’s next?
Friends will learn from this valuable feedback. We will continue doing what works well and make changes over time to incorporate the feedback provided. In the near term, we adopted a trail in the Park to provide volunteer opportunities to members, offering two programs focused on the Scientific Forest Management Area last year, expanding member connections with the Park through outreach and communication, and finding new ways for members to share their stories. As always, we value your input at any time. Please reach out to our Board or staff with any suggestions or feedback.
-Carla Ritchie, Co-Chair, Friends of Baxter State Park Membership Committee