Two Aroostook County communities have been singled out for their importance to a 740-mile canoe trail stretching from New York to the New Brunswick border.

The Northern Forest Canoe Trail begins in Old Forage, N.Y., and stretches to Fort Kent, following historic native American travel routes.

The recreational paddling trail, which goes through many different watersheds, is the first of its kind, according to Rob Center, director for the trail.

“The objective is to create a long-distance water trail managed and maintained by local communities, as well as to tell the rich historical and cultural stories of northern New England,” Center said.

To that end, the trail organization has recently issued $35,000 in community stewardship grants to towns along the trail.

The town of Allagash will use its funds to establish a campsite and historical information marker near a public canoe launch on the Allagash River. The property was once the site of the historic Allagash Inn, and will be the first public campsite to be located between Allagash Village and Fort Kent.

A few miles upriver, the town of Fort Kent will use its grant to install an information kiosk at the easternmost point of the paddling trail in Riverside Park.

Independence Day

State parks and historic sites will be open during the long Independence Day weekend, despite a state-wide shutdown scheduled for Friday, July 5. State employees are taking a day off without pay as part of a cost-saving plan designed by Gov. Angus King.

Many campgrounds were booked ahead for the holiday weekend, and large crowds are expected at many parks, so employees at state lands will be taking an alternate day off, said Tom Morrison, director of the Bureau of Parks and Lands.

To reserve a space at a state park campground, call 1-800-332-1505.

Wildlife Watching

Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge in Baring will host en evening wildlife tour beginning at 6:30 p.m., Saturday July 6.

Since 1937, the Washington County refuge has provided habitat for bald eagles, black bear, moose, deer, loons and a variety of other waterfowl in addition to its star, a small game bird called the American woodcock.

The tour will depart from the refuge headquarters parking lot. Seats are limited in the vans used, so reservations are recommended. Participants are also asked to bring appropriate clothing for the conditions, rain or shine. Cameras and binoculars are welcome.

For more information, contact Samantha Williams at 454-7161.

Skeet Shooting

The Hermon Skeet Club will host a statewide skeet shooting championship this weekend. Preliminary events are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., Saturday June 29, and the main event, the Maine State NSCA Sporting Clays Championship, will begin at 9 a.m., Sunday, June 30.

Prizes will be awarded for various different shooting classes. An entry fee of $65 is required for each participant in Sunday’s competition.

The championship will be held at the club headquarters on Blackstream Road in Hermon. Lobster rolls and other refreshments will be available on-site.

For more information, contact Henry or Joan Trial at 394-2655 or tblitz@midmaine.com.

Holy Moses

MOSES, the much-anticipated on-line registration system for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, has been delayed again, Mark Latti, a spokesman for the department said recently. MOSES is now expected to start operating in late July, just in time for sportsmen to buy their fall hunting licenses.

Misty Edgecomb is the outdoor reporter for the NEWS. Items for publication in the Outdoor Notebook may be submitted to her at medgecomb@bangordailynews.net or P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, Maine, 04402.