Acorn Longevity Project

Find our Sturbridge Acorns… Drop #2 on September 20th, 2025

Register my Acorn!

Discover handcrafted pottery acorns hidden along our marked trails, expertly crafted by a local artisan at Twiddle T’s Pottery. Each unique acorn measures approximately 5 inches, showcases a variety of colors, and is distinctly numbered and dated. These treasures are tucked away no more than 5 feet from the trail, nestled in stump hollows, shrubs, and rock walls.

The acorn symbolizes longevity

We aim to promote your health and well-being through your experience on the trails in Sturbridge.

Hunting Rules

In 2025, acorns will be hidden in the Leadmine Mountain and Heins Farm trail systems.

  1. Acorns will be hidden exclusively alone MARKED TRAILS and no more than 5 feet off the path.

  2. Please respect the vegetation. While acorns may be concealed in the nooks and crannies of trees and stone walls, there is no need to dismantle walls nor to tamper with or disturb the surrounding forestry to locate one.

  3. Each participant is permitted to keep one acorn per year. If you discover a second acorn, we encourage you to leave it or rehide it so that others can also experience the joy of discovery.

  4. Please register your acorn find. You are welcome to share your photo and story on our website.

Register my Acorn!

Congratulations, you’ve found an acorn. Now it’s time to register and share your story. All submissions will be reviewed before being posted.

Found Acorns

2025: Acorn Drop 2 (Current Batch)

Name: Liz Sigaty

Date Found: September 20th, 2025

Acorn Number: #57

Acorn Location: Cow Stile Trail (orange/white), under a large slanted rock

I found the acorn on the orange/white trail not far from the intersection with the green/white trail. It was behind and under a large slanted rock.

Name: John & Valerie Durkee

Date Found: September 20th, 2025

Acorn Number: #55

Acorn Location: Raven Rookery tucked inside a rock wall

After many hunts we were successful! Thank you for organizing this great event! Looking forward to many more!

Name: Jasper Shinner-Rudder

Date Found: September 20th, 2025

Acorn Number: #84

Acorn Location: Heins Farm Trail, Y of a tree, with a leaf on it

My son and I loved this adventure!

Name: Kristie K

Date Found: September 20th, 2025

Acorn Number: #71

Acorn Location: Pond loop - inside large stump by water

Beautiful purple

Name: Bonnie Maska

Date Found: September 20th, 2025

Acorn Number: #74

Acorn Location: It was found on loop Trail and it was in a split of two trees

Name: Megan Maska

Date Found: September 20th, 2025

Acorn Number: #64

Acorn Location: Found on Cabin Loop Trail, in a rotted log

Name: Kimberly Hill

Date Found: September 20th, 2025

Acorn Number: #59

Acorn Location: Cow Stile Trail - tucked between a boulder and a tilted tree

Just wanted to say a big thank you for putting on the Acorn Longevity Project. I had so much fun searching, and the acorn I found is absolutely beautiful! My husband, our dog Penny, and I hike these trails all the time, but this activity made us slow down and notice little details we might normally walk past. At times it was like hunting for a Survivor immunity idol. It turned a regular hike into an adventure! I really hope this becomes an annual tradition. It’s such a great way to bring people together and celebrate these amazing trails. Thanks again to everyone who helped make it happen!

Name: Jose Mazzei

Date Found: September 20th, 2025

Acorn Number: #65

Acorn Location: Arbutus Trail… in the bow of a tree

So fun! Can’t wait to find more!

Name: Krista Berube

Date Found: September 20th, 2025

Acorn Number: #62

Acorn Location: Leadmine Trail

Thank you so much! So fun.

Name: Matt Mazzei

Date Found: September 20th, 2025

Acorn Number: #78

Acorn Location: Arbutus trail in the knot of a tree

So fun! Great project can’t wait to do it again!

Name: Jami-Lynn Lamy

Date Found: September 20th, 2025

Acorn Number: #54

Acorn Location: On Mt Laurel Trail behind/tucked under a downed tree

My daughters and I started on the Leadmine trailals at the OSV parking lot area and walked for 2 hours with no luck. We hopped in the car for a breakfast break and then went over to the Leadmine parking area and spent another 2/2.5 hours there and we were lucky enough to find a beautiful acorn that will be a lasting family memory! We walked over 10 miles together and giggled so much it hurt. The trails are so stunning - pure medicine for the soul. Thank you for such a wonderful adventure!

Name: Tracee White

Date Found: September 20th, 2025

Acorn Number: #68

Acorn Location: Leadmine Trail. Behind a boulder in front of a stone wall.

I was so excited to find my acorn on the beautiful Leadmine Trail. Thanks so much!

Name: Tammy Zamichiei

Date Found: September 20th, 2025

Acorn Number: #70

Acorn Location: Blue trail, in a tree stump

So much fun! Didn’t get one in July so this was fun!

Name: Colleen Martel

Date Found: September 20th, 2025

Acorn Number: #99

Acorn Location: Pond Loop Trail was under the rock

Love my acorn

Name: Grant MacFarlane

Date Found: September 20th, 2025

Acorn Number: #56

Acorn Location: It was on the Cow Stile Trail in a rock wall

Name: Kris Parker

Date Found: September 21st, 2025

Acorn Number: #60

Acorn Location: Cow Stile Trail, hidden on top of a tree stump

This was fun - thank you for organizing this!

Name: Jessica Mumford

Date Found: September 20th, 2025

Acorn Number: #52

Acorn Location: I found it on the Leadmine Trail in a bird nest in a mountain laurel.

My husband and I enjoyed a beautiful 4-mile hike. Thank you for the lovely treasure!

Name: Sarah Balko

Date Found: September 22nd, 2025

Acorn Number: #58

Acorn Location: Mt Laurel Trail - in the base of a tree trunk

Loved my hike on the 1st day of Autumn! So much fun hunting for an acorn!

Name: Max K

Date Found: September 20th, 2025

Acorn Number: #75

Acorn Location: Arbutus

Name: Missy Cudgma

Date Found: September 23rd, 2025

Acorn Number: #98

Acorn Location: I found it in one of the Teepees and was hidden very well!

It was very exciting to finally find one as I had been looking! GREAT JOB with this project and I’m super grateful for the experience as it has gotten me outside a lot more to enjoy our trails!

Name: Vicky Schmida

Date Found: September 23rd, 2025

Acorn Number: #67

Acorn Location: Sand Hill

So happy to finally find an acorn!!

Name: Justine C.

Date Found: September 21st, 2025

Acorn Number: #79

Acorn Location: Arbutus Trail

Name: Carissa Tilton

Date Found: September 24th, 2025

Acorn Number: #100

Acorn Location: Found hidden in birds nest on the Gateway trail!! Almost didn’t see it!

Name: C and C Phillips

Date Found: September 20th, 2025

Acorn Number: #80

Acorn Location: Arbutus trail. Hidden under exposed tree roots.

Name: John Morytko

Date Found: September 26th, 2025

Acorn Number: #95

Acorn Location: Arbutus Park. Hidden in nook under a tree root.

My son and I stumbled on Acorn #95 while biking the Arbutus Park trail this morning! He was so excited to spot it and held it the whole way home to show his mom. Big thanks to the Longevity Project for such a fun initiative that made our ride today extra special!

Name: Jeryl Broman

Date Found: September 25th, 2025

Acorn Number: #83

Acorn Location: Gateway Trail in a hollow of a tree.

Name: Famaz Chowhan

Date Found: September 24th, 2025

Acorn Number: #76

Acorn Location: Arbutus Trail in a tree

Name: Michelle Pierce

Date Found: September 20th, 2025

Acorn Number: #73

Acorn Location: Stuffed way in a tree trunk

Name: Emily Duffin

Date Found: September 20th, 2025

Acorn Number: #77

Acorn Location: Raven Rookery - hidden under a rock!

Went searching for acorns with my husband and our pup. Excited to have found such a pretty one!

Name: Cale Johnson

Date Found: September 20th, 2025

Acorn Number: #66

Acorn Location: Mt. Laurel Trail. Found under/within a stone wall.

Thanks for an exciting day and a neat treasure!

Name: Allen Silva

Date Found: October 6th, 2025

Acorn Number: #92

Acorn Location: Link Trail. Hidden deep in end of fallen tree.

Name: Jennifer Walsh

Date Found: October 6th, 2025

Acorn Number: #91

Acorn Location: Leadmine Mt. trail. It was in a small tree well.

Thank you, I didn’t know about this program until I started the hike. I am visiting from Seattle, WA

Name: Marie Oprica

Date Found: October 7th, 2025

Acorn Number: #88

Acorn Location: Seven Ridges Trail

I can't believe I found one! Thank you for dropping more acorns in the fall. Searching during the summer was brutal.

Name: Katie-Lynn Gendron

Date Found: October 8th, 2025

Acorn Number: #90

Acorn Location: Cow stile

This was such an amazing mission to go on. I hiked SO many miles, looked all over the place, and finally found one. Tucked under a rock. I really hope you all do this again next year. It was such a great time.

Name: Leo Johnson-Coveney

Date Found: October 18th, 2025

Acorn Number: #82

Acorn Location: Leadmine

Leo was so excited and found it in the back of a tree by the bridge all by himself.

Acorn Longevity Project Sponsors