Earth Day Events with Loon Echo Land Trust

Loon Echo Land Trust is celebrating the 47th anniversary of Earth Day by hosting two, free, special events for the public in Bridgton, Maine on Saturday, April 22. Help beautify your community in the morning and stretch your legs with a hike to the summit of Bald Pate Mountain in the afternoon.

 Loon Echo along with, Lakes Environmental Association (LEA) and the Bridgton Community Center are hosting an Earth Day Cleanup starting at 9 a.m. at the Bridgton Community Center on Depot Street. This year participants will be giving back to the community and focusing on the downtown Bridgton Area.  Before rolling up sleeves and putting on work gloves, Loon Echo and LEA staff will take a moment to remember former LEA staff member and close friend Adam Perron, who helped establish the Bridgton Earth Day clean-up partnership. After the Earth Day clean-up, the Bridgton Community Center will provide a free cookout for participants, serving up a delicious luncheon.  The day will conclude with a short walk in Pondicherry Park. Work boots, gloves, bug spray and water are recommended. This program will run approximately 4 hours.

 In the afternoon the public and clean up volunteer are invited to join Loon Echo, for the 1-hour hike to the rocky summit of Bald Pate Mountain. Participants will meet at the main parking area for Bald Pate Mountain Preserve on Rt. 107 in Bridgton at 3 p.m. At the summit hikers will share music, poems or stories that embody the spirit of the day. Sturdy hiking boots or shoes, water and snacks are encouraged for this moderate, 2-hour round trip hike. 

Loon Echo Land Trust protects nearly 6,700 acres of land and manages 31 miles of multi-use trails in the northern Sebago Lake region. Its mission is to work with the local residents to conserve the region’s natural resources and character for current and future generations. Loon Echo serves seven towns including Bridgton, Casco, Denmark, Harrison, Naples, Raymond and Sebago with an area of 320 square miles located directly north of Sebago Lake. Loon Echo works within its service area to safeguard water quality, preserve scenic gems such as Bald Pate Mountain, and provide outreach and fun educational programs to the public. Loon Echo assists landowners to take steps to ensure future generations will benefit from the preservation of their lands. Member support is what enables Loon Echo to carry out their mission and provides funding for their land conservation and stewardship endeavors. 

 For more information about upcoming events or ways you can support Loon Echo Land Trust, go to their website at: www.lelt.org or call: 207-647-4352.