CAMDEN — On National Trails Day, June 1, Coastal Mountains Land Trust kicked off its first attempt at a region-wide Trails Challenge. Encouraging everyone – residents and visitors – to get out on any trail by bike, running shoe, or hiking boot.

All miles logged on the Land Trust website are matched by a pool of funds donated by local business up to 15,000 miles//$15,000.

Once you have been out on ANY trail in the Midcoast, you can match help the Land Trust raise money for future trail development by logging your efforts on the website: coastalmountains.org/trails.

Every mile generates a dollar donation.

“We have a pool of $15,000 and are nearly to 3,000 miles!” said the Trust, in a news release. “There is still time - come on Midcoast – get out there, enjoy all the trails, and then log those miles.”

Local sponsors include Maine Community Foundation, the Onion Foundation, Side Country Sports, Cold Mountain Builders, Bangor Savings Bank, Maine Sport Outfitters, Allen Insurance & Financial, Strout & Payson, and the Waterfront Restaurant along with Front Street Shipyeard, Long’s Landscape Service, Viking Lumber, Lyman Morse, Joe French’s Quality Car Care, and Penobscot Bay YMCA.

There will be a closing party for all those who log miles at Beech Hill Preserve on August 15.

The Leaky Boot Jug Band will be playing and all those who participated in the #FindYourTrail challenge will be put in a drawing for prizes.

Coastal Mountains Land Trust has worked since 1986 to permanently conserve land to benefit the natural and human communities of the western Penobscot Bay. The Land Trust has protected more than 12,000 acres, offering 45 miles of trails for public recreation.