Category: Press Release

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!

Welcoming Three Reclaimed Minks to Jagolinzer Preserve

Tadd Stuart

On Monday, August 24, 2026, the Francis Small Heritage Trust had the privilege of hosting the Saco River Wildlife Center (SRWC) at our Jagolinzer Preserve for a heart-warming release. Three orphaned minks—named Jack, Janet, and Chrissy—were returned to their natural habitat after months of care and rehabilitation.

The young minks originally came to SRWC in the spring as tiny orphans. Under the care of dedicated foster mom Sylvia, they were bottle-fed and nursed to health until they were mature enough to forage and survive independently. When SRWC reached out searching for a release site with suitable cover and direct access to both fresh running stream water and the river, Jagolinzer Preserve was selected as the perfect environment.

Board members from FSHT joined Cathy Dragoni, Meredith, and Sylvia from SRWC to carry the carrier crates along the trail down to the water’s edge. One by one, the doors were opened, and the curious trio stepped out into the pine needles and stream banks to explore their new, permanent sanctuary.

This successful release highlights the value of conserved lands like Jagolinzer Preserve—not only as places for community enjoyment, but as vital, safe sanctuaries for local wildlife. We are immensely grateful to the team at Saco River Wildlife Center for their dedication to wildlife rehabilitation and for letting us share in this special moment.

New Trail Alert: Exploring the “Dragon Lizard Trail” at Jagolinzer Preserve!

Tadd Stuart

We have some exciting updates to share from Jagolinzer Preserve in Limington! Next time you visit, you’ll notice brand-new wooden signs marking key areas, along with a fun new path to explore.

How the “Dragon Lizard Trail” Got Its Name

During a recent educational outing, one of our visiting 2nd graders misheard our welcome message to the Jagolinzer Preserve and thought we said “Dragon Lizard”! We found the name so delightful and memorable that we decided to officially name our newest trail addition after it.

Trail Route & Details

The Dragon Lizard Trail connects the ridge down to the river:

  • Start: Top of the “Bypass” trail.
  • Route: Travels east, crossing the eastern portion of the Jagolinzer Loop trail, then meanders north down toward the scenic Saco River.
  • Finish: Reconnects to the main loop trail just east of the bridge.
  • Navigation: The trail is currently heavily flagged so you can easily find your way. In the near future, custom dragon lizard signs will replace the temporary flagging.

Wayfinding & Trail Updates

Along with the new trail, several signage updates were recently installed around the preserve:

  • A main Jagolinzer Preserve entrance sign is now posted at Olive’s Way, clearly visible right from Route 25.
  • Signs near the waterfall have been rearranged to make navigating the area clearer and easier.
  • New trail markers line the Dragon Lizard Trail and key junctions.

A huge thank you to Dick and his two young trail volunteers for their hard work installing signs and opening up this fantastic new route for our community to enjoy!

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!

Website Update: Major Progress on Our Porter Hills & Norton Hill Project Pages!

Tadd Stuart

We have some exciting updates to share regarding the Francis Small Heritage Trust website (fsht.org)! If you head over to our “Current Projects” section under the “News” menu item, you will find completely updated and redesigned project pages reflecting our incredible conservation progress in Porter, Maine.

Here is a breakdown of what has changed and what you can explore online:

1. Porter Hills Phase I – Celebration & Completion

Our updated Porter Hills Phase I page showcases the successful completion of this ambitious initiative. Originally launched in 2022, Phase I has matured into a thriving community resource.

What’s new on the page:

  • Four New Hiking Trails: Explore details on the Devils Den Trail, Gateway Trail, Devils Den Connector, and Colcord Trail—all developed and opened since 2023.
  • Two Paths to Bald Ledge: Learn about the newly completed Colcord Trail, providing a spectacular second route up to the breathtaking panoramic views at Bald Ledge.
  • Community & Connection: Read about our recent historical preservation milestone installing a new headstone for Revolutionary War soldier Samuel Brooks, and our winter recreation events.
  • Infrastructure & Safety: Details on our new parking areas, informational kiosks, and our volunteer-led blaze orange vest program for hunter safety education.

2. Porter Hills Phase II is now the “Norton Hill Property” Page

Reflecting our shifting milestones, the page formerly known as Porter Hills Phase II has been officially updated to the Norton Hill Property Progress page. This section details how we are successfully connecting isolated conservation lands to create a continuous, larger block of protected land.

Key highlights featured on the new page:

  • New Acquisitions: A look back at our April 2024 acquisition of approximately 100 acres on Moody Road, made possible through Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) funding.
  • Trail Network Updates: Current progress on the flagged and developed Devils Den Connector Trail (Moody Road South Trail) and upcoming trail plans for the 131-acre Norton Hill parcel—including a planned accessibility-enhanced trail to a scenic overlook.
  • Ecological Stewardship: Learn about the two significant vernal pools identified by DIFW biologists that FSHT is fully committed to protecting.
  • Innovative Land Care: Read about our exciting upcoming cooperative effort with the La Finca Farm Cooperative to use goats for natural brush and invasive plant management on the Moody Road North property.

Explore the New Pages Today!

We invite you to visit fsht.org, check out the new maps, view photos of the properties, and see firsthand how your support makes a permanent impact on conserving land and a way of life in Southern Maine.

Announcing Our New Explorer’s Guide!

Announcing Our New Explorer’s Guide!

Tadd Stuart

We are excited to share that our brand-new Explorer’s Guide tri-fold brochures have officially arrived! These professional guides highlight the Francis Small Heritage Trust’s mission to safeguard the large, connected landscapes of Southern Maine while providing a high-quality resource for our community to discover the preserves and trails we manage.

You can expect to see these guides at our upcoming local events and, very soon, stocked at our trail kiosks for your convenience.

What’s Inside the Guide?

The brochure features a detailed trail map and highlights eight unique locations for you to explore:

  • Ingalls Pond: Ideal for birdwatching and nature study among interconnected ponds and wetlands.
  • Jagolinzer Preserve: Offers a loop with breathtaking views of the Saco River.
  • Devils Den: A historic spot with panoramic vistas and fascinating geological features.
  • Heath Loop Trail: A quiet walk through a significant local wetland.
  • Colcord Trail: A moderate ascent through hemlock groves leading to scenic ledges.
  • Bald Ledge: Features spectacular summit views at an elevation of approximately 1,185 feet.
  • Sawyer Mountain Highlands: A challenging trek with an elevation gain of over 1,000 feet.
  • Sawyer Mountain via Smith Trail: Access the mountain from the Limerick side for a 3-mile round-trip hike.

Get Your Copy

Keep an eye out for these brochures at our next event! If you know of a local spot that would benefit from displaying these guides, please reach out to us at info@fsht.org so we can coordinate distribution.

Can’t wait for a physical copy? You can view our full list of trails and maps anytime at https://fsht.org/trails-and-maps/.