By Doug Fletcher,Staff Writer

A coalition of Maine’s wilderness guides has formed an organization aimed at preserving their traditional heritage, as well as that of their clients.

The Maine Wilderness Guides Organization plans to lobby the Legislature and make its voice heard on issues before the state departments of Conservation, Environmental Protection and Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

“We also expect to work with the Office of Tourism” on ways of promoting the state’s wilderness, said Greg Shute, the group’s co-president and director of outdoor programs for the Chewonki Foundation.

He said Monday afternoon that the coalition members have already endorsed a set of new rules proposed for the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. Members also are on a committee looking at preservation of the so-called Seboomook lands west of Moosehead.

“Decisions about the future of Maine’s North Woods are being made every week by landowners, state government and the Legislature,” said Shute in an earlier statement announcing formation of the group. “We want to make sure that the voice of those who rely on remote forests, lakes and rivers are considered in those decisions.”

The coalition members may comment on Plum Creek’s proposals to develop the Moosehead Lake region for private housing and commercial resorts, he said, and will likely comment on other matters as they arise.

Shute said that the organization isn’t limited solely to wilderness guides. Those who guide people on fishing and hunting trips, canoe excursions and others are welcome as well.

“Most of us tend to guide people on multi-day trips,” he said, but that isn’t a membership criteria.

“The purpose of our new group is to provide a strong voice for the needs of wilderness guides and the preservation and restoration of remote places on which they depend for their professions,” said Kevin Slater, the other co-president. Slater of Newry is co-owner of Mahoosuc Guide Service.

“It is important to have a voice representing the wilderness guides’ perspective as decisions about the future of Maine’s North Woods are being made,” added Ray “Bucky” Owen, a former commissioner of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Owen is a member of the group’s advisory board.

Shute said the guides also intend to listen to their sports – the people who hire them – and bring those voices to the table as well.