This award recognizes an individual that has made outstanding contributions and provided consistent support for trail planning, development, or maintenance. It is intended to recognize the efforts of a private or public sector individual working for enhanced trail recreation on either the local, state, or national level.
After a 35 year career as a biochemistry professor at the University of Maine, Sally Jacobs volunteered in a variety of conservation and trail related activities.
She enjoyed the outdoors and nature which inspired her to get involved with volunteerism and conservation. Sally served on the board of the Maine Coast Heritage Trust for 12 years and also was the founding president of the Orono Land Trust. She was instrumental in the construction of the first off-road paved bike path in Maine. She secured funding and followed through to the construction of this 5 mile path between Orono, the University of Maine and Old Town.
Sally served as the co-chair of the Maine Trails Advisory Council, a coalition of trail advocates from all trail groups that assist the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry in administering the Recreational Trails Program. This group has also held several state-wide trail conferences to assist trail groups with strategies to secure funding, build sustainable trails, and to work together to advocate for all types of trails.
In addition, Sally was one of the original members of Maine’s Department of Transportation Bicycle-Pedestrian Committee which assist DOT with recommendations for Maine’s Bike-Ped Program.
Sally went on to become the founding president of the Sunrise Trail Coalition. Due to her relentless and unwavering spirit and 25 years and countless hours of volunteer time, was able to see her vision become a reality: The Down East Sunrise Trail, an 85 mile long railbed shared- use trail from Ellsworth to Calais officially opened in September of 2010. Sally Jacobs died peacefully in her sleep November 12, 2012.
500 views • posted 01/16/2018
