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Three days of activities will bring together Leave No Trace, Maine State Parks, volunteers, and community partners to celebrate and care for one of Maine's treasured outdoor spaces.
Pownal (August 25, 2026) - The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) announced today that Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal has been selected as a 2026 Leave No Trace Spotlight, bringing three days of community events, outdoor education, and hands-on stewardship to the park and surrounding area September 3-5, 2026.
The Leave No Trace Spotlight program recognizes outdoor spaces across the country that can benefit from increased community engagement and collective care. During the Spotlight, the Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Team will work alongside Maine State Parks staff, volunteers, and local partners to provide opportunities for people of all ages and experience levels to learn practical ways to protect the places where they recreate.
“Bradbury Mountain is a place people return to again and again, to hike, bike, gather with family, take in the view, and enjoy being outside,” said Chris Silsbee, Manager of Bradbury Mountain State Park. “Being selected as a Leave No Trace Spotlight gives us a great opportunity to bring the community together, have some fun, and put stewardship into action. Whether you join us for trivia, sit around the campfire, or spend Saturday working on a trail, there’s a way for everyone to be part of it.”
Activities begin Thursday evening in Freeport and continue through Saturday at Bradbury Mountain State Park.
Opportunities to Get Involved
Thursday, September 3, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Leave No Trace Trivia Night & Social Mast Landing Brewing Co., 200 Lower Main Street, Freeport
Kick off the Spotlight festivities with an interactive evening testing your knowledge of Leave No Trace practices and principles. Participants can learn tips for protecting favorite outdoor spaces, meet Spotlight hosts and partners, and compete for prizes from Leave No Trace, Bradbury Mountain State Park, and local sponsors.
Festivities begin at 6:00 p.m., with trivia starting at 7:00 p.m. Prizes include handcrafted benches and a cutting board, Mast Landing Brewing Co. prizes, L.L. Bean merchandise, and more. (Event information)
Friday, September 4, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Leave No Trace Pop-Up Education & Outreach Northern Loop Trailhead, Bradbury Mountain State Park, 528 Hallowell Road, Pownal
Meet Leave No Trace and Maine State Parks staff for games, interactive activities, and practical tips for enjoying the outdoors responsibly. Visitors can learn simple ways to reduce their impact, keep parks and trails clean, and help protect natural resources at Bradbury Mountain and wherever their outdoor adventures take them.
Friday, September 4, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Fireside with the Ranger, Leave No Trace Staff & Hot Dog Roast, Bradbury Mountain State Park, 528 Hallowell Road, Pownal
Spend an evening around the campfire with park and Leave No Trace staff. Roast hot dogs, enjoy s'mores, play games, learn about Bradbury Mountain's history, and put your knowledge to the test with Leave No Trace trivia and prizes.
Food and activities are free with paid park admission. (Event information)
Saturday, September 5, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Leave No Trace Spotlight Stewardship Project & Pop-Up Education Bradbury Mountain State Park, 528 Hallowell Road, Pownal
Saturday is the centerpiece of the Spotlight weekend, offering opportunities to both give back and have fun at the park.
From 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., volunteers will work alongside park staff on trail improvements, including repairs to the Ragan Trail and replacement of bridge decking. A separate stewardship project at the playground will give younger volunteers an opportunity to participate.
From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., visitors can explore Leave No Trace activities and interpretive booths, enjoy food, and even be on the lookout for appearances by Smokey Bear, Bigfoot, and Barry the Bradbury Eagle. (Event information)
 There is also a special incentive for early arrivals: the first 25 cars through the park gate whose driver says, "Bigfoot Leaves No Trace at Bradbury," will receive a gift bag featuring items from local event sponsors.
About the Leave No Trace Spotlight Program
Each year, Leave No Trace selects nominated outdoor areas for its Spotlight program, which brings communities together to care for and protect places people love to visit. Spotlights combine education, community outreach, and hands-on stewardship to help address impacts from outdoor recreation while giving visitors practical tools they can use long after the event ends.
Bradbury Mountain State Park's Spotlight is supported by the Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Team, Maine State Parks, community volunteers, and local partners.
About Bradbury Mountain State Park
Bradbury Mountain State Park, located in Pownal, is one of Maine's original five state parks. The park offers more than 20 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, along with camping and opportunities to experience the area's natural and cultural history. The summit of Bradbury Mountain provides expansive views and is a popular location for observing the annual migration of hawks and other birds of prey. For information about Bradbury Mountain State Park, visit the Maine State Parks website.
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