Maine Conservationist Backs the Environment and the Economy
Our Monday Maine Maven today is Lloyd Griscom, a passionate nature conservationist in Phillips, Maine. Holding leadership positions in a number of organizations, Lloyd exemplifies the combination of advocating for both the Maine environment and the Maine economy.
Lloyd is the co-founder and director of the High Peaks Alliance, director of the Sandy River Land Trust, director of the Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust, member of the steering committee for Western Maine Matters, and a member of the Franklin County Tourism Network.
Lloyd is also the co-owner of Peace & Plenty Farm in Madrid (organicblueberry.com). Peace & Plenty Farm sells Maine wild “gourmet sourtop” organic blueberries. Peace & Plenty spans around 20 acres of blueberry fields and is a member of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA).
Born in Miami and having grown up in Syosset, Long Island, Lloyd and his brother started visiting Maine to see their uncle “because that was the farthest place that we could get permission to go to.” Originally belonging to his uncle, Lloyd now has a camp on Potato Hill in Madrid.
1.) Lloyd, you are a member of a number of environmental organizations based in Maine. Many people believe that pro-environment means you are against business and economic development. What do you say to these people?
In our High Peaks Alliance (HPA) “All Trails Event” in Rangeley, Maine, Senator Susan Collins said it best: “In Maine the environment is the economy.”
About the Saddleback Connector (negotiated by HPA), she continued, “This is a victory for cooperation and collaboration.”
When the NPS gave a 100 foot corridor to the State of Maine, this permitted a legal ATV crossing of the ATC at Eddy Pond, and the High Peaks’ Moose Loop ATV Trail was born.
Local conservation support from motorized and non-motorized stakeholders helped the Linkletter/Orbeton 2012 Forest Legacy Working Forest Public Access Easement to succeed.
Now the ITS 84/89 trails will be secure on 5,800 acres in Madrid, as well as the Fly Rod Crosby Trail and walking side trails along the Orbeton to Saddleback Mountain.
There is a common ground between the economy and the environment. It takes balance to find it and to build trust, and to recognize that we mostly agree on 70%.
www.matlt.org/about
2.) What methods of PR and marketing do you employ when spreading the message about organizations like the High Peaks Alliance or the Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust?
We use a variety of both print and virtual materials to promote our organizations. Brochures, articles, and handouts have been developed, but we also have websites and Facebook pages or groups.
For example, the HPA website was created by my grandson, Henry Wilson, and we utilize a Facebook group. Our blueberry farm Peace & Plenty aka organicblueberry.com sends updates to those who sign up for feeds or e-mails.
I also use LinkedIn and Twitter to connect with people interested in conservation and the AT and to share related news. You can find me at www.linkedin.com/in/lloydgriscom and follow me on Twitter @LloydGriscom.
3.) You recently attended one of our social media boot camps. What role do you see social media playing in helping promote the organizations you are a part of and in encouraging the conservation of Maine land?
The NMC Social Media Boot Camp was a great tool to demonstrate methods of dealing with “the social media change.” The phenomena of social media is not simply an inconvenience to those not steeped in it, but it’s a call to action encouraging people to learn how to deal with change and turn it into an advantage. It can be ignored only at our peril.
Social media will play an integral role in helping organizations succeed in conserving Maine land while still encouraging the economy.