• It's dangerous out there. If you don't know what you're doing in a boat, take someone who does.
  
• Most Maine islands are private property and you don't have permission to set foot on their shores. Until recently, walking below high tide line was allowed; this is no longer the case. Please respect property rights as you would expect people to stay out of your back yard. MITA membership (see below) is a good way to get permission, but only for MITA islands and within MITA rules.
  
• Maine islands have very shallow, very fragile soil. Be careful where you walk and how heavily you walk. Don't take pets. Monitor children. Don't dig holes, especially not for privies (see next rule).
  
• Don't leave anything behind, especially not your human solid waste (your poop). Times have changed; it used to be you could just dig a hole, poop and fill in the hole. Yes, times have changed, now we respect the environment. The soil's too fragile and shallow for privies. Bring a sealable container to pack out your poop. It might seem unpleasant but it's less unpleasant than having to camp near somebody's shallow toilet.
  
• Maine islands are highly flammable. Now, you might think: I'm camping out, I'm gonna build a fire. Don't do it. Take a campstove and use it carefully. Don't give in to the primitive urge to burn things. Enjoy the sunset, then go to sleep.
  

I've identified MITA islands only by their MITA number, as designated in the Guide Book available to members. It takes a good bit of the poetry out of such an account, but it's necessary. This is not just to keep non-members from visiting the islands without permission, but to protect the privacy of island owners, who graciously permit MITA members to visit their islands.

For more information about MITA, call or write:
Maine Island Trail Association
PO Box C
Rockland ME 04841
207-596-6456

or
41A Union Wharf
Portland ME 04101
207-761-8225