AUGUSTA - Rep. Grayson Lookner, D-Portland, will join registered Maine sea kayak guides in Augusta on Wednesday evening to greet Joe Guglielmetti, Master Maine Sea Kayak Guide, following his attempt to paddle the nearly 70 miles from Portland's East End to the Maine State House in just one day. Guglielmetti is embarking on the trip to raise awareness and build support for preserving public beach access and increasing funding for outdoor education programming in Maine schools.
Maine sea kayak guides are calling on lawmakers to fund LD 1817, a proposal sponsored by Sen. Stacy Brenner, D-Cumberland, and cosponsored by Lookner, focused on supporting outdoor education by establishing the Outdoor School for All Maine Students program. The bill has been carried over to the second session of the 131st Legislature, which begins in January.
"I'm completing this paddle because I'm concerned about losing beach access in Maine and think we ought to be preserving public lands for the enjoyment and benefit of future generations," said Guglielmetti. "To my knowledge, nobody has ever attempted to paddle a kayak from Portland to Augusta in a single day ever before."
"This is an amazing feat of physical endurance that will hopefully go a long way to raise awareness about the importance of preserving public beach access here in Maine," said Lookner. "Our beautiful lands and coasts are part of our state's heritage, and it is vitally important that we protect public beach access and fund outdoor education for future generations of Mainers."
Maine's economy and way of life are deeply tied to our environment," said Brenner. "When we get kids interested in the great outdoors, we're supporting their curiosity, a well-rounded education and our state's future. I want to thank Joe and all the other advocates who have come together to support Outdoor School for All."
WHAT: Rep. Grayson Lookner will greet Joe Guglielmetti, Master Maine Sea Kayak Guide, following his trek from Portland to Augusta in support of equitable public beach access and outdoor education.
WHERE: The trip will begin at Portland's East End and conclude with a rally at the Maine State House, 210 State Street, Augusta
WHEN: Wednesday, August 23, 2023 between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Lookner], 305-965-2744
Lisa Haberzettl [Brenner], 207-251-3548