Trail by Commons building

Trail Stewardship

Many people come to Eagle Hill to enjoy the 2.5 miles of hiking trails that meander through the Institute's 150 acre oceanside nature preserve. Ongoing improvements and maintenance of the trails is essential so they can be enjoyed as a community resource. We are seeking volunteers who are interested in ...

Clearing trails. In most cases, this involves using hand tools like branch loppers or small tree saws. Those who are comfortable working with power tools are welcome to use them to clear trailsides of brush and trees that have fallen across a trail. The trails are well marked and were GPS surveyed and mapped by forester and volunteer Kate Locke.

Creating trailside interpretive signs. If you enjoy teaching others about nature, you can help by creating interpretive trail signs that identify species at interesting locations. These signs can be numbered and linked to a database with more detailed information. If you are savvy with software development, we would love to have a phone app which can provide this information by way of a code scanner.

Creating trailside enhancement areas. If you have a fondness for tending native plants, there are trails that go, for example, alongside orchid patches and through moss and lichen areas that would benefit from tending by someone with a gentle sense for aesthtices. There are also trail vantage points that can be cared for with the idea of gently clearing a panoramic view of the horizon.

Maine Trailfinder

Video of hiking trails at Eagle Hill by Aislin Sarnacki