AWWF News

AWWF releases 2025 Coldwater Fishery Habitat Temperature Monitoring summary

The Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation’s Coldwater Fisheries Habitat Temperature Monitoring project continues to record vital baseline thermal conditions in the tributaries and along the mainstem of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. Ambient water temperatures are a leading habitat factor driving the distribution and persistence of brook trout. By identifying critical thermal refuge...

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YOTA 2026: Registration now live for St. John Valley eighth-graders

Attention parents and guardians of eighth-grade students from the St. John Valley. The digital registration portal for the 2026 Youth on the Allagash expedition is officially open. To ensure your student is prepared for this historic district-wide journey, please review the requirements and submit the mandatory online health forms below. When...

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Acadia Federal Credit Union named Presenting Partner for YOTA 2026

AWWF is excited to announce a major milestone for our flagship educational program. Acadia Federal Credit Union has officially signed on as the Presenting Partner for the 2026 Youth on the Allagash program expansion. This partnership represents a shared vision for the St. John Valley, focusing on the empowerment of...

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A Milestone for the Valley: AWWF Announces Youth on the Allagash Expansion

ST. JOHN VALLEY — For over nine years, the Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation has been dedicated to connecting Maine’s youth with the legendary Allagash Wilderness. Today, we are proud to announce our most ambitious chapter yet: the 2026 YOTA Expansion. In June 2026, the AWWF will launch its first-ever district-wide expedition,...

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A night for the Allagash: Translating two years of waterway wilderness

Join AWWF on Nov. 13 at Sea Dog Brewing in Bangor The Allagash Wilderness Waterway is more than just a line on a map; it is a tapestry of wild ecosystems, a ribbon of time flowing through the North Maine Woods. On Thursday, November 13th, the Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation invites...

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Farewell to a founding steward: Richard Barringer’s Allagash legacy

Richard Edward Barringer, a lifelong public servant in Maine and one of the founding board members of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation, died on October 20, 2025, at the age of 87.  While Barringer’s distinguished career spanned three gubernatorial cabinets and the founding of the Muskie School of Public Service, more...

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AWWF discusses new guidebook during 207 interview

Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation Executive Director Daniel Dinsmore and AWWF advisor Janet McMahon appeared on WCSH's program "207" to discuss the recent publication of a new guidebook, This Extraordinary Place: A Guide to Allagash Ecology. The book builds on a groundbreaking ecological assessment, "A River in Space and Time," which...

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Fundraiser honors Allagash legend: Dana Richard Shaw

Last year, Maine lost a true wilderness icon, Dana Richard Shaw (1934–2024). A veteran Maine Guide, master canoe builder, expert riverman and dedicated conservationist, Dana’s life was a testament to adventure and purpose. To honor his enduring spirit and deep connection to the Allagash, his grandson, Joshua Shaw, has created...

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LD895 & Youth on the Allagash

New outdoor education law could propel expansion of YOTA program  A new state law signed by Governor Janet Mills on May 23 will provide immersive outdoor education opportunities for Maine students in grades 4-8. LD 895, "The Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program," a bipartisan effort spearheaded by Senator Rick...

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Five days of growth on the Allagash

YOTA's advanced expedition: Five days of growth on the Allagash The Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation is thrilled to announce the successful completion of our first Youth on the Allagash trip of the season: our annual advanced leadership expedition. This five-day journey offers a deeper dive into wilderness skills and regional knowledge...

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