Friends of Baxter State Park

Nels held the position of Regional Fisheries Biologist at the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, where he surveyed almost every pond in Baxter State Park. His work in establishing a baseline of knowledge regarding water quality and fisheries in the park is invaluable. This discussion is packed with useful information. A word of caution, though - this conversation may ignite a desire to g...

John Blatchford worked as a “camp boy” at Katahdin Lake Camp from 1946 to 47. It was a time of transition in the North Maine Woods, and Percival Baxter was assembling what we now know as Baxter State Park. John tells us about his Katahdin hike and life as a hard-working teenager in a wilderness sporting camp that would become a part of Baxter State Park 60 years later.

Earle Shettleworth is widely regarded as the foremost authority on the history of Maine. He has been serving as Maine's State Historian, a position appointed by the governor, for the past 20 years. Bill and Jensen had the privilege of speaking with Earle about Percival Baxter's life, as only he could. Earle knew Baxter, and in sharing his personal experiences, he gives us a unique insight into Bax...

Earle Shettleworth is widely regarded as the foremost authority on the history of Maine. He has been serving as Maine's State Historian, a position appointed by the governor, for the past 20 years. Bill and Jensen had the privilege of speaking with Earle about Percival Baxter's life, as only he could. Earle knew Baxter, and in sharing his personal experiences, he gives us a unique insight into Bax...

Nava Tabak is the Director of Natural Resources at Baxter State Park. Her role involves overseeing research, education, outreach, and the Scientific Forest Management Area. Managing and protecting Baxter State Park is a complex task, and Nava gives us an insider’s perspective on her work, her views on the Park, and the challenges it faces. Her discussion provides a glimpse into the intricate world...

In this episode, Bill and Jensen talk with two veteran pilots for the Maine Forest Service. Chris Blackie and John Crowley have a long history of piloting helicopters to rescue folks in need in Baxter State Park and all over the State of Maine. Chris and John tell us about their careers as well as what it’s like to try and fly a helicopter in some of the most challenging terrain in Maine.

Bill Green continues his interview with former Park Director Buzz Caverly.

In this episode, Bill Green interviews former Park Director Buzz Caverly about growing up in rural Maine, visiting the Great Nothern Hotel, getting hired as a ranger, awesome Helon Taylor stories, and why his two BSP heroes are Percival Baxter and Ralph Heath. Stay tuned for Part Two.

In this episode, Jensen and Bill shoot the breeze with retired Chief Ranger Chris Drew, who is a master storyteller in the great Maine tradition. Chris had a 36-year career with Baxter State Park and is a Baxter legend, as well as one of the most respected veterans of the Park. Chris tells some wild and entertaining stories about fishing, outhouses, families, bears, Grizzly Adams, search and rescu...

In this episode, we interview Lester Kenway, who served as the Trails Supervisor at Baxter State Park for 22 years, spent two years with Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission, and served as the Field Team Program Coordinator for the Maine Conservation Corps until his State retirement. He is a long-time volunteer with the Maine Appalachian Trail Club, serving as its President for the last ten year...

John Neff was the first President of Friends of Baxter State Park and is a 50-plus-year trail volunteer for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. He is the author of Katahdin: An Historic Journey - Legends, Explorations, and Preservation of Maine's Highest Peak. He also co-authored Baxter State Park and Katahdin with Friends Historian Howard Whitcomb. Hosts Jensen Bissell, former Park Director, and M...

Percival Baxter - Interview with Howard Whitcomb Part 2 by Friends of Baxter State Park

Former governor Percival P. Baxter, beginning in the 1930s, purchased some 201,000 acres over a period of 30 years and gifted them to the state. Take an in-depth look at Baxter, the man, and his legacy, with foremost Baxter expert Howard Whitcomb, author of "Governor Baxter s Magnificent Obsession: A Documentary History of Baxter State Park 1931-2006." Hosts Jensen Bissell, former Park Director, a...

Catching Fish with Free Flies I’m Silvia Hartt, your host for Season One, Gettin’ Reel About Baxter, with Friends of Baxter State Park. Welcome to the podcast where I talk to several experts about the various lakes, streams, and ponds in Baxter State Park and the fish that live in them. In this episode, Silvia Hartt interviews retired Park Ranger, Dean Levasseur, about his time in the park, specif...

I’m Silvia Hartt, your host for Season One, Gettin’ Reel About Baxter, with Friends of Baxter State Park. Welcome to the podcast where I talk to several experts about the various lakes, streams, and ponds in Baxter State Park and the fish that live in them. In this last episode of the season, Silvia Hartt has a short talk with park director Eben Sypitkowski. They cover topics such as how much Eben...

I’m Silvia Hartt, your host for Season One, Gettin’ Reel About Baxter, with Friends of Baxter State Park. Welcome to the podcast where I talk to several experts about the various lakes, streams, and ponds in Baxter State Park and the fish that live in them. In this episode, we sit down with former Park Director, Buzz Caverly, a very influential person in the park’s history. Buzz recalls how he was...

In this episode, Silvia Hartt sits with her grandfather, Scotty Skinner, who was a float plane pilot for 50 years. He talks about how he assisted the park with his plane, flying into Frost Pond with fisheries biologists, and fighting fires. Intro Music: Track: Summer Music composed and recorded by Oak Studios Creative Commons - Attribution ND 4.0 https://youtu.be/UpRPzujTa7w Outro Music: Created B...

In this episode, Silvia Hartt talks to intense trout fisherman Jim McCloskey, who loves to fish in Baxter State Park. Jim talks about a troublesome loon, big fat bullfrogs, and some of the biggest brookies caught in Maine. Intro Music: Track: Summer Music composed and recorded by Oak Studios Creative Commons - Attribution ND 4.0 https://youtu.be/UpRPzujTa7w Outro Music: Created By: Marco Cirillo C...

Bushwhacking With a First Time Fishing Buddy In this episode, Silvia Hartt talks with Tyson Porter, the youngster of all the interviews. Tyson talks about growing up in the Katahdin region, and how his love of fishing pushed him to explore the waters of Baxter State Park. Intro Music: Track: Summer Music composed and recorded by Oak Studios Creative Commons - Attribution ND 4.0 https://youtu.be/Up...

The Day to Day of the Modern Biologist In this episode, Silvia Hartt talks with Kevin Dunham, Enfield’s current Regional Biologist. Topics range from IF&W’s current involvement in the park, the whitefish project, and why fishless ponds are unique in their own way. Intro Music: Track: Summer Music composed and recorded by Oak Studios Creative Commons - Attribution ND 4.0 https://youtu.be/UpRPzujTa7...

I’m Silvia Hartt, your host for Season One, Gettin’ Reel About Baxter, with Friends of Baxter State Park. Welcome to the podcast, where I talk to several experts about the various lakes, streams, and ponds in Baxter State Park and the fish that live in them. In this episode, Silvia Hartt talks with Stan Pauwels, an avid lifelong fisherman. He recalls to the audience his childhood fishing with his...

Finding Bluebacks I’m Silvia Hartt, your host for Season One, Gettin’ Reel About Baxter, with Friends of Baxter State Park. Welcome to the podcast, where I talk to several experts about the various lakes, streams, and ponds in Baxter State Park and the fish that live in them. In this episode, Silvia Hartt interviews retired Fisheries Biologist Paul Johnson, about what it was like working for Inlan...

Wishin’ He was Fishin’ on Webster In this episode, Silvia Hartt interviews retired Park Director Jensen Bissell, about his job as director. They discuss what the Nesowadnehunk project is and how Jensen wants the togue fishery that once was back in the park. P.S. In this episode, Jensen’s dog Effie is barking in the background because she can’t reach her ball. Don’t worry, we get it for her when th...

I’m Silvia Hartt, your host for Season One, Gettin’ Reel About Baxter, with Friends of Baxter State Park. Welcome to the podcast, where I talk to several experts about the various lakes, streams, and ponds in Baxter State Park and the fish that live in them. In this episode, Silvia Hartt talks with retired Fisheries Biologist Nels Kramer, who was very passionate about his work. Nels talks about th...