GREENVILLE, Maine (WABI) – A staple of the fall season in Maine is the foliage.
People travel from across the country and world to view the colors our state has to offer.
But with the lack of precipitation in Maine this summer, concerns have been raised about the timing and quality of the foliage, and how that will impact businesses and tourism across Maine.
Many businesses like North Country Flying Services in Greenville depend on foliage and tourism for their livelihoods.
However, owners Kevin and Katie Dauphinee say they haven’t felt the same economic drought that’s hit Maine meteorologically this summer.
“For me, I would say the travel has been up. I’ve seen personally an uptick in people traveling up here and enjoying Maine. Maine has a lot to offer,” said Kevin.
When asked how the foliage has been this year, Kevin said: “I think it’s early, a little bit early this year. It’s been dry. There’s a lot of yellows this year, but the reds have been very bright.”
Kevin shared his favorite part about flying: “Really just showing other people what I get to see, what I’ve seen my whole life. I get to bring people out here and show them this.”
Many tourists from across the country were in Greenville to take a flight with North Country Flying Services.
When asked what they were looking forward to, they said:
“I mean, it’s kind of cool to see the lakes from a height. And then the trees, you know, a lot of the fall colors,” said Brian Putnam, a tourist from Montana.
“I want to soar like an eagle from the sky and see all the colors and, you know, get a bird’s eye view, literally, of what’s going on,” said Lisa Putnam, a tourist from Colorado.
“The vastness of this country. Every time you turn the corner in Maine, it’s another seaport, another lake, another beautiful view,” said Paul Schaper, a tourist originally from New York City.
We spoke to Gale Ross from the Maine Forestry Department, better known as the “Madam of Maples,” to understand how this summer’s lack of precipitation will impact the fall foliage.
“Because we’ve had a long extended period of drought, we’re seeing a shorter foliage season. The natural environmental cycle is doing what it does every year to prepare for winter, but we’re seeing it go much faster because of the drought,” said Ross.
You can visit the State of Maine’s Foliage Report for all the information about the season’s conditions.
Foliage conditions may not be perfect this year, but Maine still never disappoints. Its colors always find a way to shine.
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