August 19, 2025
At our Annual Membership Picnic on August 8 at Mountain Star Estate, we gathered not just to celebrate another year of conservation progress, but to honor the people who make this work possible. Volunteers, board members, and longtime supporters are the heart of Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust (RLHT), and this year, we were proud to recognize several individuals whose dedication to the Rangeley Region has been nothing short of extraordinary.
The H Paul Reynolds Spirit of the Community Award – Ken Beaulieu
This new award, introduced by Laura Reynolds in memory of her late husband and former RLHT board president, H. Paul Reynolds, celebrates a legacy of leadership and love for community. Its first recipient, Ken Beaulieu, has been a driving force behind RLHT’s trails for more than 20 years. From rallying volunteers at Timberland to helping launch a new trail crew partnership with
High Peaks Alliance, Ken’s efforts have shaped some of our most beloved paths. Beyond the trails, he continues to share his time with groups like Casting for Recovery, pairing breast cancer fighters with fly-fishing experiences.
Legacy Awards for Outstanding Service – Kevin McDebitt, John Morton, and Ben Bowditch
Our Legacy Awards recognize individuals who have given decades of service and support to RLHT.
Kevin McDevitt, a former RLHT board member and lifelong supporter, Kevin has long dreamed of protecting the Magalloway Region and has been instrumental in the fundraising efforts for the 78,000-acre
Magalloway Collaborative conservation project.
John Morton, a current board member, Marine Corps veteran and retired attorney, has been a conservation champion since the 1970s. From saving Hatchery Brook from development to leading the campaign for Bonney Point, John has played a key role in some of RLHT’s most significant conservation wins.
Ben Bowditch, a current board member, traces his love for Rangeley back to his grandfather’s first trips to Kennebago in the 1930s. Since joining the RLHT board in 2004, Ben has provided steady leadership, including as treasurer, guiding the organization through both lean years and times of growth. His family’s connection now spans six generations, carrying his conservation ethic forward.
Senator Angus King Award for Conservation Excellence – Charles Gauvin
Finally, we honored
Charles Gauvin, an accomplished conservation leader who began visiting Rangeley as a child. As the former national CEO of Trout Unlimited, Charles has been at the forefront of watershed-scale restoration across the country. For the past eight years, he has brought that same expertise and passion to RLHT, helping secure millions of dollars for river restoration and watershed protection projects in Maine.
A Night of Gratitude
As Executive Director David Miller said during the celebration, the Rangeley Lakes Region is defined not only by its natural beauty, but by the people who care for it. This year’s honorees embody that spirit. Through their time, vision, and generosity, they have ensured that RLHT can continue conserving, restoring, and stewarding the lands and waters we all love.
We are deeply grateful to Ken, Kevin, John, Ben, and Charles — and to the entire community of volunteers and supporters who make our mission possible.
Click to see more photos from RLHT’s 2025 Annual Picnic celebration.
