BRIDGTON — Loon Echo Land Trust (LELT) needs volunteers to help with spring trail maintenance on the Ledges Trail of its Pleasant Mountain Preserve. 

Each year, Loon Echo staff is joined by Ledges Trail adopters, including the Maine Chapter Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) and hardy volunteers to prepare the popular trail for the hiking season. This year, the trail work day is set for Saturday, April 18 at 7:45 a.m.  

“Guests to Loon Echo’s 25 miles of hiking trails genuinely appreciate the efforts of our volunteer trail adopters,” said Loon Echo Stewardship Manager Jon Evans. “Ledges Trail is very popular and requires extra TLC, so work days like this one give us a boost and allow anyone with an interest in trail work to come and learn about erosion control and trail hardening techniques, while giving back to their community.”

The work involves cleaning drainage ditches, clearing the trails of winter debris, clipping brush and trail hardening. Tools and training will be provided, but you should come prepared with work boots, gloves, water and food. Don’t forget your camera because there will be great views along the way. Interested volunteers should meet Loon Echo staff at the Ledges trailhead, located three miles down Mountain Road from Route 302 in Bridgton at 7:45 a.m. This will be a strenuous day lasting about five hours. 

Loon Echo Land Trust protects land in the northern Sebago Lake region of Maine. Its mission is to conserve the region’s natural resources and character for current and future generations. Currently, Loon Echo protects nearly 6,000 acres of land, and Pleasant Mountain Preserve is one of eight preserves that are open to the public.   

Find out more about Loon Echo by visiting www.loonecholandtrust.org. For more information about volunteering, trail maintenance day or other Loon Echo events, contact Jon Evans at jon@lelt.org or 647-4352.   

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