Activities
Treasure on the Trails
The Eben Horton Glass Float Project with MV Glassworks
This summer, Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation launched an island-wide treasure hunt to find beautiful, hand-crafted glass floats tucked away amongst its 18 conservation properties that are open to the public. “Treasure on the Trails” offers everyone the opportunity to explore these protected lands and hunt for a special Martha’s Vineyard treasure along the way!
All floats from the Winter 2023-2024 round have been FOUND!
Don’t forget to use our free TrailsMV mobile app to navigate our trails. It is available at:
Tips for Exploring:
- Be sure to have the latest version of the app installed and ready to go to help you navigate the SMF trails! Some properties may not have the best cell service, so we encourage explorers to check out the maps and accessibility ahead of time just in case!
- Floats are available to find at all SMF properties listed on the app with the exception of Roth Woodlands.
- Treasure will never be hidden in dunes, wetlands, residential properties, or off established SMF paths.
- Please be mindful of the conservation lands. Respect the flora and fauna of the area, carry in and carry out any items/trash you or your pets may have, and remain on the marked paths.
- While treasure is not hidden in any dangerous areas, please be aware poison ivy, thorny bushes or vines, ticks, and animal habitats while you search!
- DECEMBER TIP: Please be aware that Hunting Season lasts until December 31st on the island. Five of our properties open to the public allow only archery hunting – though there are rules and regulations that do not allow hunting near the trails, we still advise patrons to wear blaze orange while out seeking the treasure and to be mindful of your surroundings. The five properties are: Middle Road Sanctuary, Brookside Ridge Preserve, Phillips Preserve, Cedar Tree Neck Sanctuary, and Quansoo Farm. Firearm hunting is NOT allowed on SMF properties.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
25 hand-blown glass floats stamped with the SMF logo crafted by MV Glassworks of West Tisbury. Each float has been wrapped in either a repurposed authentic fishing net or netting made of burlap.
This wave does not have any clues associated with their hidden locations. Explorers are encouraged to download the free TrailsMV app to help them navigate each property!
Nope! Treasure on the Trails is a free event open to the public. Please note that some properties may have external fees associated with them that are not related to SMF., like the Chappy Ferry to access Chappaquiddick Island properties.
To keep the hunt fair and engage with as many explorers as we can, we ask that individual seekers and families only take one glass float per household.
Not all of them! While some may be hanging from trees or visible on the ground, many of the treasures will be slightly tucked away within reach of the trail beneath leaves, sticks, benches, etc with a small portion visible.
Congratulations! The treasure is yours to keep! Please follow the directions on the TrailsMV tag found on the treasure to post your find on social media using #treasureonthetrailsmv and click the link above to register your glass float with us. Also located with your treasure is a small placard. Please leave this behind for other explorers to know that they found the correct location, but that this treasure has already been found.
As floats are found and tagged/registered, the “Check Status of Treasure” form on this page will be updated to reflect which floats are still available to be found. We will also be sharing the updates on our social media platforms. Please note that we will be updating that list as best as we can, but there is still a chance it may not be accurate.