A safer Preserve, from the ground up
- Kathryn Strand
- a few seconds ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 22 hours ago
Behind every garden, trail, and landscape at the Land & Garden Preserve is a team of remarkably skilled and dedicated professionals. Dozens of staff members — from gardeners, growers, and equipment operators to carpenters, machinists, and landscape specialists — bring deep expertise, creativity, and a shared passion for stewarding this extraordinary place. Together, they embody the craftsmanship and care that make the Preserve a place of beauty, safety, and inspiration.
Among them are Dave Ouellette, Lead Land Steward, and Ed Hawes, Land Steward, two exceptional members of the natural lands team whose work reflects both technical skill and an unwavering commitment to safety. For more than a decade, Dave and Ed have led projects across the Preserve’s natural lands, including bridge building, trail building and maintenance, hazard tree removal, and bog bridge construction. Their work often involves demanding physical labor and the precise use of tools such as chainsaws, axes, and pole saws. Whether they’re moving boulders, laying gravel, or planting trees, safety is always paramount for staff, volunteers, and guests.
Dave and Ed’s dedication to preparedness extends well beyond
routine fieldwork. Both serve as emergency response volunteers and members of MDI Search and Rescue (MDI SAR), partnering with Acadia National Park and local emergency services on wilderness rescues and safety initiatives. Their wilderness first responder and EMT training, along with Dave’s service as a volunteer firefighter and Ed’s deep connection to MDI SAR through his father, Norm Hawes (a founding member of the organization), give them valuable insight into how best to prevent and respond to emergencies on the Preserve’s lands. Their experience has directly informed the Preserve’s growing focus on safety and emergency readiness.
Their training has also underscored a critical reality: many areas of the Preserve are technically wilderness. In emergency terms, “wilderness” is defined as being more than one hour away from definitive medical care, a time frame that depends on communication and access. As Dave and Ed explain, an accident could happen just a mile from a main road, but if the patient is unable to move and cannot reach help by phone or radio, it may take many hours before assistance arrives. This awareness drives their commitment to safety planning and readiness across the Preserve.
If you’ve ever hiked at Little Long Pond or along one of the Preserve’s woodland trails, you may have noticed how remote it can feel once you’re a short distance from the trailhead. Imagine twisting an ankle with no cell service and no one immediately nearby. That’s where the Preserve’s focus on safety—its training, communication tools, and partnerships—becomes essential.
In spring 2025, the Preserve formalized this commitment by establishing a Safety Committee to strengthen safety culture across the Preserve. The committee’s goals are clear:
Protect the health and well-being of
staff and guests by reducing the risk of accidents and injuries;
Streamline how incidents and accident reports are documented and shared;
Improve field communication through new technologies; and
Expand and standardize safety training and preparedness across all departments.
Early progress includes the planned purchase of satellite communication devices to support teams working in remote areas and the installation of a radio repeater at the Preserve’s new maintenance facility at Greenrock on Peabody Drive to improve radio coverage where cell service is limited. Scenario-based training sessions, such as advanced first aid and emergency response workshops, are helping staff build confidence in managing real-world situations, from bee stings to falls, and in knowing when to call for help.
Safety at the Preserve is also strengthened through collaboration. We are building relationships with the Mount Desert Fire Department and EMS, Maine Warden Service, Maine Forest Service, Acadia National Park, and MDI Search and Rescue to share knowledge, coordinate response protocols, and model best practices in visitor safety.
Recent safety improvements inspired by these collaborations include widening the parking area at the Little Long Pond main gate to increase pedestrian safety and implementing a dog leash policy to protect both visitors and wildlife.
As Dave and Ed remind us, safety is part of stewardship. Caring for the land also means caring for the people who tend and enjoy it, ensuring that everyone who steps onto the Preserve’s trails or into its gardens can experience their beauty with confidence and peace of mind.
Hiking safety tips
Plan ahead. Check the weather, know your route, and tell someone where you’re going and when you plan to return.
Carry the essentials. Bring water, snacks, a map, a first-aid kit, a flashlight, and extra layers—even on short walks.
Check the trail maps. Bring a photo or a brochure of the map and stay on marked paths.
Mind your footing. Trails can be uneven, wet, or covered in leaves that hide rocks and roots. Take your time, especially on descents.
Keep your phone—but don’t rely on it. Cell service is limited in many areas. Consider downloading an offline map before your visit.
Be aware of your surroundings. Watch for wildlife, changing weather, or trail obstacles.
Know when to call for help. If an accident occurs and someone is hurt, stay calm, assess the situation, and call 911 if possible. Preserve staff and local emergency responders work closely to coordinate assistance.
Photos by Nikolai Fox
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