Category: Press Release

Get Ready for the 2026 FSHT Trail Challenge!

Tadd Stuart

Looking for a reason to explore the beautiful woods, rivers, and hills of southern and western Maine this summer? The Francis Small Heritage Trust is launching an all-new summer adventure for hikers of all ages and abilities!

From July 17th through August 31st, we invite you to take the 2026 FSHT Trail Challenge.

Whether you are looking for a gentle, family-friendly stroll or a rugged backcountry trek, we have a challenge tier for you:

  • 🧭 The Explorer Challenge: A collection of four gentle, scenic trails perfect for families, kids, and casual walkers.
  • 🥾 The Adventurer Challenge: Four longer, more rugged routes designed to test your boots and reward your effort.

How it works: You’ll grab a paper passport, head out to the trails, and search for our hidden animal tracking plaques to create trail rubbings. Collect them all, and you can earn delicious prizes from local favorites like Route 160 Ice Cream and Sugar N Spice Bakery, plus a chance to win a grand prize from Local Gear in Cornish!

📅 Mark Your Calendars:

Full details, trail maps, and downloadable passports will unlock right here on Friday, July 17th.

Stay Tuned! Make sure you are subscribed to our website updates so you don’t miss the official launch day link drops!

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/.

JOIN OUR TEAM

Tadd Stuart

Now Hiring: Community Liaison Coordinator (Seasonal)

Building a More Inclusive Outdoors

Francis Small Heritage Trust is excited to announce an opening for a Community Liaison Coordinator. We are looking for a dedicated individual to help us ensure our trails and nature preserves are welcoming, safe, and accessible to everyone in our community.

This is a unique opportunity to lead outreach efforts for regional groups—including elders, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals, and persons with disabilities—and to facilitate meaningful, guided experiences on the land.

Position Highlights:

  • Role: Relationship building, group trail facilitation, and light stewardship.
  • Compensation: $25.00 per hour (Contracted position).
  • Schedule: 20 hours per week (Flexible, June 1 – October 31, 2026).
  • Location: Various FSHT holdings across northern York, southern Oxford, and western Cumberland counties.
View Full Job Description Here

How to Apply

We are looking for a candidate with strong communication skills, cultural competency, and the ability to work independently in the field.

Interested candidates should email their resume and/or inquiries to: Francis Small Heritage Trust at mail@fsht.org

📰 Local History Spotlight: Surveying Cornish, Ancient Times to Current

Tadd Stuart

December 4, 2025

We are excited to share an article from the December 4th edition of the Waterboro Reporter focusing on the history of Cornish land surveying, which heavily references the history of our namesake, Francis Small.

The article summarizes a recent presentation by Robert Yarumian II of Maine Boundary Consultants, covering the evolution of local land from its ancient roots to the present day.

  • Indigenous History: The presentation touched on the area’s original occupation by Native Americans, noting that the land we now know as Cornish was part of the Pequaket Trail, traveled by the Sokokis tribe.
  • The Francis Small Propriety: The history of Francis Small’s settlement and fur trading post in the 1600s was detailed, including the pivotal land exchange with Chief Wesumbe (Captain Sandy). This exchange, recorded in a 1668 deed, resulted in Small acquiring a vast tract of land between the Great and Little Ossipee Rivers, up to the Saco River.
  • Town Formation: The presentation explains that Francis Small’s heirs, known as the proprietors, later petitioned the courts to regain the land following the French and Indian Wars. This process led to the formation of the towns of Cornish (originally “Francisborough”), Limerick, and Parsonsfield. These three towns, along with Limington and Newfield, are believed to have been included in the original 1668 deed.

The article provides fascinating context on how the land was settled, surveyed, and developed into the modern communities of southern Maine. Read the full article in the Waterboro Reporter.

Governor Mills Announces Funding for Francis Small Heritage Trust Conservation Project

Tadd Stuart

September 16, 2024

The Francis Small Heritage Trust (FSHT) has been approved for funding through the revitalized Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) Program.

In total, Governor Janet Mills announced $3.8 million in LMF funding for 12 new conservation projects across Maine. Since the Governor proposed and the Legislature approved $40 million to reinvigorate the program, the LMF Board has approved 75 new projects, totaling $29.9 million.

The project supporting FSHT falls under the Conservation and Recreation Projects category:

Porter Hills Phase II Moody Road Parcel (Porter, Oxford County)
This crucial project protects 98.6 acres of critical wildlife habitat and prime outdoor recreational destinations. The new parcel will connect to FSHT’s existing 700 acres of conservation lands, all within the Town of Porter and the Porter Hills Focus Area of Statewide Ecological Importance.

Original Article: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/about/news/news.shtml?id=13023962