Category: Events

Upcoming and past community events, guided hikes, and educational programs hosted by the Francis Small Heritage Trust.

Thank You for Making the FSHT Trail Challenge a Success!

Thank You for Making the FSHT Trail Challenge a Success!

Tadd Stuart

A huge thank you to everyone who took part in the Francis Small Heritage Trust Trail Challenge this summer!

Whether you tackled a single trail or completed both the Explorer and Adventure levels, we loved seeing your enthusiasm for our preserves.

By the Numbers:

  • 21 total participants completed the challenge.
  • 28 completed passports were turned in.
  • 7 hikers completed both challenge tiers.
  • 1 lucky grand prize winner: Congratulations the granddaughter of one of regular hikers, winner of The Local Gear gift card raffle!

We especially loved seeing the creative spirit on the trails. The carved rubbing plaques created by Nate Burnett became unexpected guestbooks, covered top-to-bottom with signatures, dates, and notes from hikers. One of these special signed plaques will be displayed inside the cabin at Devils Den!

Thank you to The Local Gear in Cornish for hosting our pickup table on September 12, and to our local ice cream and bakery partners for providing prizes. Most of all, thank you to our community for getting outdoors, supporting local land conservation, and sharing your feedback with us.

We are already looking forward to next year’s challenge! Keep hiking, and see you on the trails!

Geocaching Hike at Sisson Heath – September 19

Geocaching Hike at Sisson Heath – September 19

Tadd Stuart

Event Details:

  • Date: Saturday, September 19
  • Time: 10:00 AM
  • Location: Sisson Heath Trail (GPS Address: 1236 Sokokis Trail N, Cornish, ME 04020)
  • Hike Distance: 2.5 miles
  • Cost: Free

Discover the world’s biggest treasure hunt with Francis Small Heritage Trust! On Saturday, September 19th, FSHT volunteers will lead a 2.5-mile “Introduction to Geocaching” hike at our Sisson Heath preserve.

Geocaching is a wonderful family-friendly activity that turns any outdoor trail into an exciting treasure hunt. Whether you are brand new to geocaching or looking to explore the trails at Sisson Heath with fellow community members, this guided hike is an ideal starting point.

What You Need to Know Before You Go:

  • Get the App: To participate fully, please download the free app at Geocaching.com onto your mobile device prior to arriving at the event.
  • Gear: Please wear sturdy hiking shoes/boots and long pants.
  • Parking & Logistics: Parking space at the Sisson Heath trailhead is limited. Attendants will be present to direct traffic, and we strongly recommend carpooling if possible.

Come explore the outdoors with us! Learn more about Francis Small Heritage Trust and our protected properties at fsht.org.

Mushroom Foray at Bald Ledge

Mushroom Foray at Bald Ledge

Tadd Stuart

Led by Evan O’Day of Meadowfall Farm and Forage

Details

  • NOTE: Due to the expected rain for August 8th, this event has been postponed until August 22nd.
  • Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
  • Time: 2:00 PM
  • Location: Bald Ledge Preserve (Varney Road Parking Lot)

Join the Francis Small Heritage Trust for an educational Mushroom Foray at our Bald Ledge property! Local expert Evan O’Day from Meadowfall Farm and Forage will lead us through the woods as we identify local mushroom species, learn about fungal ecology, and enjoy a summer afternoon on the trail.

Registration

  • Capacity: Limited to 25 participants.
  • How to Register: Pre-registration is required. Please contact Program Director Sheryl Adams by phone or text at 207-749-2963 to claim your spot.

Directions & Parking

  1. From Route 25, take Colcord Pond Road for 4.9 miles.
  2. Turn left onto Dana Weeks Road.
  3. After 350 feet, turn right onto Kennard Hill Road.
  4. Continue on Kennard Hill Road for approximately 1.5 miles until it turns to dirt, then turn right onto Danforth Lane.
  5. Follow event signage and turn right onto Varney Road.
  6. We will meet in the parking lot a short distance up Varney Road.

Some of the varieties seen in the past at Bald Ledge:

Major Update: The 2026 FSHT Trail Challenge is Officially Live!

Tadd Stuart

The wait is over! All the details, trail maps, and downloadable passports for the 2026 FSHT Trail Challenge are now available.

Starting tomorrow, July 17th, and running through August 31st, we invite you to explore the preserves of southern and western Maine. Whether you are taking on the family-friendly Explorer Challenge or stepping up to the Adventurer Challenge, everything you need to hit the trails and win great local prizes is ready for you.

Head over to our fully updated official challenge page to download your passports and view the exact plaque locations:

👉 Click Here for the 2026 FSHT Trail Challenge!

Grab your passports, find those animal plaques, and happy hiking!

The 2026 FSHT Trail Challenge is Officially Live!

Tadd Stuart

The coordinates are set, the plaques are installed, and it’s time to hit the trails. From today through August 31st, explore our preserves, find the hidden plaques, and complete your passport to win local prizes!


How to Participate:

  1. Get a Passport: Download and print your double-sided passport using the links below, or pick up a physical copy at your local town hall or library.
  2. Find the Plaques: Hike the trails listed on your passport. At the furthest point of each trail (or a designated history landmark), you will find a special raised animal plaque. NOTE: The maps are posted at the trailhead and directions for trail navigation is at the bottom of the trail map.
  3. Make a Rubbing: Bring a pencil or crayon and use your passport page to make a physical rubbing of the animal plaque.
  4. Claim Your Prize: Mail your completed passport to us (P.O. Box 414, Limerick, ME 04048) or bring it to Local Gear in Cornish on Saturday, September 12th between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM to get your prize and enter the $50 gift card raffle!


Choose Your Challenge Tier:

Option A: The Explorer Challenge

Perfect for easy strolls, young children, and relaxed nature viewing. Complete all four to win a kiddie cone card for Route 160 Ice Cream.

Option B: The Adventurer Challenge

Designed for hikers looking for steeper climbs, loops, and a bit more of a workout. Complete all four to win a treat card for Sugar N Spice Bakery.

Thank You to Our Community Sponsors!

A massive shout-out to Local Gear, Route 160 Ice Cream, and Sugar N Spice Bakery for supporting outdoor recreation and land conservation in our towns!

Questions? Reach out to us at mail@fsht.org. Happy hiking!

Hit the Trails for “The Moon Over Malibu Maine” Story Walk

Hit the Trails for “The Moon Over Malibu Maine” Story Walk

Tadd Stuart

Get ready to combine a love of reading with a love for the outdoors! We are thrilled to announce that from June 13 to July 12, the Francis Small Heritage Trust will be hosting a summer Story Walk at the Jagolinzer Preserve.

This season, our featured book is “The Moon Over Malibu Maine,” a wonderful story written by Tonya Shevenell with beautiful illustrations by Laura Winslow. As an all-volunteer organization based right here in Limington, we are always looking for ways to foster community connections and make our local natural spaces engaging for all ages.

What is a Story Walk? If you haven’t participated in one before, a Story Walk takes the pages of a children’s book and spaces them out along a walking path. As you hike through the Jagolinzer Preserve—navigating the Loop Trail, the Bypass, and the River Trail alongside the scenic Saco River and the Pease Brook—you’ll read the story sequentially. It’s the perfect excuse to unplug, get some fresh air in southern Maine, and keep young minds active during the summer break.

Planning Your Visit The event is entirely self-guided and free to the public, running daily from June 13 through July 12.

  • Getting There: Trail-head parking is located on Olives Way, directly off State Route 25. You will find the turnoff just a short distance southeast of the Cornish-Limington town line.

Grab your walking shoes, pack some water and bug spray, and come enjoy a great story in the woods. See you on the trail!