The work of monitoring and maintaining public trails requires more than just the eyes and time of a land trust’s staff; with over 100 miles of trails, there aren’t enough hours in the day for Midcoast Conservancy’s trail stewards to keep tabs on every preserve. In early 2024, Midcoast Conservancy was awarded a Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund (MOHF) grant that allowed for the purchase of five TrafX trail counters and much needed power tools to aid in trail maintenance. The addition of both proved invaluable in guiding maintenance decisions and allowing the completion of important trail infrastructure repairs.  

The TrafX trail counters were selected as they are an industry standard due to their small, unobtrusive  design, equipped with a sensor that detects infrared wavelengths emitted by humans as they walk through an area. The data they’ve collected has allowed Midcoast Conservancy to better understand how preserves and trails are used by various communities, and helps inform where resources for upkeep should be prioritized. One surprising example occurred at Burkett Mill Preserve in Waldoboro, where usership was thought to be low; however, the trail counter showed that, on average, between 10 to 20 hikers visit this preserve each week. With this insightful data, additional funds were directed to improve the dirt road for people to more easily access the trail network there. Midcoast Conservancy is continuing the use of trail counters and data analysis to understand trends across preserves throughout the midcoast.   

The MOHF grant also supported the purchase of a cordless impact driver and sawzall, and extra batteries to keep them powered on long days in the field. This represented a significant upgrade, enabling the stewardship team and volunteers to tackle larger projects without relying on the use of personal tools.   

One of the largest projects where the new tools were put to use was with structural repairs to a bridge crossing at Riverbrook Preserve in Waldoboro. Over 150 rotten and unsafe planks were replaced quickly and efficiently thanks to the better tools, which saved at least 2+ hours of work. This allowed the work to be completed prior to winter and ensured safe year-round access for hikers.   

This crucial funding through MOHF allowed for the purchase of items that have already enhanced the safety and accessibility of our preserves, in addition to providing insight on where stewardship staff and volunteers should focus their time and resources through comprehensive visitorship data. As always, Midcoast Conservancy trails are open year-round and all are welcome to enjoy the lands whether by foot, snowshoe, or cross country skis!  

This project was funded in part by the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund, in which proceeds from the sale of a dedicated instant lottery ticket currently (Big Bucks) are used to support outdoor recreation and natural resource conservation. For more information about MOHF, go to www.maine.gov/ifw/mohf