To raise critical funds and promote their organizational mission, the Northern Forest Canoe Trail is hosting a first-of-a-kind online auction from Nov. 1 – Dec. 9, 2005. The NFCT auction will feature a unique collection of items including canoes, paddles, paddling accessories, lodging packages, guided trips, local products, regional books and artwork, and more.

All proceeds from the auction will directly support the NFCT mission: celebrating the rich human heritage and diverse natural environment of the Northern Forest by establishing and stewarding a water trail tracing historic Native American travel routes across New York, Vermont, Québec, New Hampshire, and Maine.

“We’re excited to launch this fundraising effort, as it benefits our friends, our partners and our supporters, while also supporting the mission of the trail,” said NFCT Executive Director Kate Williams.

To participate in the auction, online users simply need to visit the NFCT web auction page at www.TheCanoeTrailAuction.cmarket.com between Nov. 1 and Dec. 9, 2005.

The auction site is an easy-to-use web page where bidders can browse items by category and place bids. Visitors can also track bids and will have the option with any item to “buy now.”

Auction sponsors include Cascade Designs, Chota, Garmont, and Lincoln Canoe and Kayak. Featured items in the auction include:

  • A cedar-strip canoe kit from Newfound Boatworks and a hand-crafted “Hidden Pond” canoe from Lincoln Canoe and Kayak – you pick the color!
  • An NFCT exclusive watercolor by Dave Tibbets – “Moose River Taxi”
  • Lightweight clothing from GoLite and Outdoor Research;
  • A guided custom canoe trip on the Clyde River, donated by the NorthWoods Stewardship Center.
  • Tons of camping and paddling gear from Jetboil, MSR, Thermarest, SealLine, Thorlo and more.
  • A variety of paddles from Bending Branches, Liquid Logic, and Werner Paddles
  • PFD’s and paddle jackets from Kokatat
  • Much, much more!