By Dawn De Busk 

Staff Writer

Jon Evans works a job that allows him to hike for a living. 

Essentially, he gets paid to introduce other people to the joys of outdoor recreation. He has led many a full moon hike. Not only is he well-versed in the natural surroundings but also,he is knowledgable of the history of the area. 

As the stewardship manager of Loon Echo Land Trust (LELT), Evans helps with the acquisition of properties in his stomping ground. He is a native of Bridgton who still calls this town home.  

Evans was born on Aug. 24, 1964, in the old Bridgton Hospital on Main Street hill. His dad Jim Evans also was raised in Bridgton and his mom is related to the Shane family of Casco. He has four siblings: one sister and three brothers.

After graduating from high school, Evans entered the workforce and “has enjoyed a variety of experiences throughout life,” he said. 

His children are grown: a daughter, Camille,who is student at Suffolk University in Boston and a son,Maxwell,who is employed by a local contractor.

Currently, Evans lives with “a beautiful and supportive partner, Terri and her children Brittany, Brianna and Riley. We are also blessed with a grand-daughter Aemilea,” he said.

His domestic pet isn’t your typical hiking partner. 

“After nearly 30 years with furry chow chow pups, now the queen of the hill is Daisy, a rescue kitty from Harvest Hills,” he said. 

A few days after LELT hosteda snowshoe hike at Peabody-Fitch Woods, Evans took some time to field some questions for The Bridgton News.   

B-News: Going back to your childhood, do you have a distinct memory or time in your life when you decided that you really liked to be outdoors? 

Evans: Early in my life I was comfortable outdoors and spenta great deal of time fishing and riding bikes. Hours were spent with my younger brother Billy playing ball and being country kids. Later on, hunting with my dad before he passed. 

B-News: When did youstart with Loon Echo Land Trust?

Evans: In April 2008

B-News: Could you please describe how you landed your job at Loon Echo? 

Evans:I was recommended for the job by Bridie McGreavy,PhD, who at the time was working for Lakes Environmental Association (LEA). Former LELT Director Carrie Walia called me and asked if I would consider taking over their very part time stewardship position. I was not seeking work at the time but thought it would be interesting. Thirteen years later, it’s a full-time gig.

B-News: What exactly are your duties as a stewardship manager?

Evans: I manage the 6,000 acres that LELT owns which includes 35 miles of trails, 70 miles of boundaries, timber management, trail and infrastructure development and volunteer stewardship programs. I work with staff on all related volunteer and outreach programs. I also oversee the 2,600 acres that LELT holds by Conservation Easement. I work with the landowners to defend the terms of the easement and provide guidance on the management of these unique permanently preserved properties. Some popular examples of easements we hold include Perley Mills Community Forest in Sebago and Denmark and Pondicherry Park in Bridgton. 

B-News: Why do you think it is an important mission to set aside and preserve land for the public’s benefit?

Evans: Early in my career, I heard, “They ain’t makin’ any new land” and it is true. Having grown up here, I have seen many precious places vanish in the name of progress. Land conservation is playingan important role in our region, providing balance as the area continues to grow. We all benefit from conserved land; from water and habitat protection, to open space for low impact recreation, hunting and fishing and even motorized recreation like snowmobiling and ATVing. Tens of thousands visit our lands each year and they enjoy our diners, gift shops and unique attractions so land conservation is increasingly more an economic driver for our communities. 

B-News: What have been some of the most challenging land acquisitions during your time at Loon Echo?

Evans: I would have to say the recent Peabody-Fitch Woods at Narramissic Historic Farm in South Bridgton. It didn’t score like some of our properties with soaring ecological value like Pleasant Mountain or the 1,600 hundred acres along the Northwest River at Tiger Hill Community Forest. Typical funders passed on this project. But the important cultural value and the property’s connectivity with 3,000 already conserved acres appealed to new funders and then our amazing membership sealed the deal.

B-News: What was yourrole in that acquisition?

Evans: To be its biggest advocate. The project was going to mean a serious collaboration with the Bridgton Historical Society and I had faith that the two non-profits could develop a product unlike anything in our region. An accessible walking trail built by Warren Excavation winds around “Peggy’s Pasture” and will be the first trail of its kind in the region. Our dear friend Andrew from the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) spent several weekends with his wife Joy and their children, flagging what has become the Granite Quarry Trail which leads folks through a series of granite quarry’s that operated from the late 1700s until the early 1900s. Andrew just recently lost his battle with cancer and we are all heartbroken. His spirit will remain with all he touched at this special place. A grand opening is planned for Aug. 4. 

B-News: What is your favorite mode of traveling on trails during each season? (Examples include hiking, mountain biking, fat-tire biking, snowshoeing or skiing.)

Evans: I am old school. I hike hundreds of miles a year on my LL Bean boots or snowshoes. 

B-News: What jobs did you hold before coming to LELT?

Evans: Like many folks around these parts, I worked seasonally. I grew so much from the folks I worked for. Tom at Five Fields Farm, Eric and Ed at Shawnee Peak, Bear at Wildwood. They all helped shape me, I am forever grateful. I also operated a business in Bridgton for over a decade with my former wife Monica selling arts/crafts/hobby supplies. 

B-News: What are your three favorite hiking spots of the places that are managed by LELT? Please state why each of these are your favorites.

Evans: Pleasant Mountain: Unique natural communities and world class views. Bald Pate Mountain grounds me every time I set foot there. Peabody-Fitch Woods. With twobooks written about the farm and its characters, you will never be alone when you walk those historic grounds.

B-News: What hiking trail would you recommend to someone who is visiting Maine for the first time?

Evans: I cannot answer that because hiking is so personal. Different settings inspiredifferent people. I recommend the trail that sets one on a course to future trails and all the blessings of the natural world. 

B-News: Being a long-time resident in Bridgton, what type of business do you think would fit well in this town?

Evans: A bold business that wants to set up shop and provide careers to a proud and talented workforce, while surrounded by all the quality of life opportunities the Sebago Lake region of Maine has to offer.