Welcome Maine’s New State Partner – John Raymond

The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) is proud to announce and warmly welcome John Raymond as our new Maine State Partner. John brings decades of leadership, advocacy, and boots-on-the-ground experience to the OHV community. We recently had the opportunity to learn more about his background, accomplishments, and vision for the future of off-highway recreation in Maine.

What clubs, associations, or background do you have that benefits NOHVCC?

John currently serves as President of the Northern Timber Cruisers Snowmobile/ATV/XC Skiing and Snowmobile Museum. Over the years, he has held several leadership roles within ATV Maine, including President, Vice President, and now Public Affairs.
 

He was also part of the working group that successfully advocated for the Maine Legislature to approve a historic $30 million Trails Bond. Funding began in 2025, with $7.5 million allocated annually over four years. This marks the first time in Maine’s history that bond funding has been dedicated specifically to trails—an achievement that required collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups and passed with only one or two opposing votes.
 

John has served for the past two years on the State of Maine Recreational Trails Program (RTP) and currently sits on the Maine Trails Bond Board, where he reviews grant applications and helps award funding to deserving projects across the state.

What type of OHV activity do you enjoy?

While much of John’s time is dedicated to club leadership and statewide advocacy, he still finds enjoyment in working directly on the trails—whether that’s operating equipment for trail construction and maintenance or grooming snowmobile trails in the winter months.
 

Although he recently sold his Polaris Side-by-Side due to limited riding time—managing only one ride last year with his wife, Natalie—his passion for the sport remains strong. One of his long-term goals is to ride all 5,500 miles of Maine’s ATV trail system.
 

What accomplishments have you made in the OHV community?

Among his many accomplishments, John considers the development of the first multi-use trail in the Katahdin region to be one of his most meaningful achievements. In 2007, after being told such a project would likely never happen, John began working with a private landowner to secure permission to construct a western trail connection. That trail was completed and opened in 2012 for snowmobiles, ATVs, hikers, and bicyclists.
 

However, the vision didn’t stop there. Completing the eastern connection to create a full through-trail proved far more challenging. Over nine years, John navigated setbacks, cost overruns, easement negotiations, and land ownership changes. Finally, on Labor Day 2024, the trail officially opened—connecting the two largest ATV trail systems in Maine. Riders can now travel from the northern border all the way to Maine’s southern coast, a transformative milestone for statewide connectivity.

How can NOHVCC assist Maine moving forward?

Maine is currently navigating complex discussions regarding oversized vehicle weight limits. Proposed legislation is under review and expected to be decided soon. The issue has generated both strong support and opposition, creating division and spreading misinformation throughout the state.
 

With 96% of Maine’s trails located on private land, maintaining positive relationships with landowners remains critical. At the same time, it is essential to support OHV users and local dealerships, as ATV recreation contributes approximately $800 million annually to Maine’s economy. As surrounding states adapt to changing vehicle trends, Maine must carefully balance landowner concerns, user expectations, and industry needs to remain competitive and sustainable.

John welcomes collaboration and assistance from NOHVCC in providing education, communication support, and resources to help navigate these challenges.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a NOHVCC State Partner, please visit www.nohvcc.org for more information and explore each State Page for state-specific details.

Please join us in welcoming John Raymond to the NOHVCC family. We look forward to working with him and supporting the continued growth, connectivity, and stewardship of Maine’s OHV community.