If you’re a regular walker of Acadia’s Woodland Trails, you may have noticed our newest installation. There are now two mailboxes containing logbooks mounted on the entrance signs at the Park Street and Westwood Avenue trail entrances. We hope hikers will feel inspired to leave notes about their experience and work together to create a living document of stories.

Acadia student Sarah Lavallée (BCD, 2022) developed the idea while she was working as the Woodland Trails Community Intern. Sarah says, “During my time as a community development and environmental sustainability student, I have come to truly understand the importance of greenspace for the Wolfville community. Installing logbook boxes on the Woodland Trails was an idea that I came up with while researching the effects of greenspace attachment on community resilience for my honours thesis. During my focus groups, I heard from residents of all ages how important the Woodland Trails were to their well-being and sense of connection with other community members. I hope the logbooks will provide an opportunity for community members and students alike to take collective responsibility for the Woodland Trails by noting any areas that require attention or by simply sharing a beautiful wildlife sighting during their walk. I hope the logbooks offer a way for the community to come together over a shared love of nature, co-create knowledge, and encourage each other to take action to protect it.” 

We look forward to reading the entries and hope this initiative will provide added value to trail users as a way to engage with the community. If you haven’t yet visited you can view a trail map and learn more on the Woodland Trails website.