Category: Press Release

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

Maine State Legislature recognizes two Trust Directors, and Governor Baldacci proclaims: Sherwood and J. Lorraine Libby Day

Cristina

Press Release April 26, 2007:
Maine State Legislature recognizes two Trust Directors, and Governor Baldacci proclaims: Sherwood and J. Lorraine Libby Day, Thursday, April 26, 2007

Trust directors & Speaker of the House
Trust Directors Lorraine and Sherwood Libby receive Legislative Sentiment from Speaker of the House, Glenn Cummings.

Augusta, Maine – The Maine State Legislature honored Trust Directors Sherwood and Lorraine Libby of Limington today in a Legislative Sentiment ceremony. Speaker of the House Glenn Cummings presented the sentiment. Senator Jon Courtney of York, Representative Philip Cressey of Cornish, and Senator Bill Diamond of Cumberland cosponsored the following action:

“Recognizing Sherwood and J. Lorraine Libby, of Limington, for their more than 40 years of tireless work to protect Maine’s environment and preserve our natural heritage. Mr. and Mrs. Libby have worked as a team to make major contributions to conservation in Maine. In 1966, they helped secure passage of the legislation that protects the Allagash Waterway. In 1971, they labored to secure passage of the legislation creating the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission, known as LURC. They also worked for the establishment of the Saco River Corridor Commission. In 1990, Mr. and Mrs. Libby became founding directors of the Francis Small Heritage Land Trust, which owns and preserves 1,400 pristine acres in the Sawyer Mountain Highlands for public use and enjoyment. Mr. Libby has served as commissioner for LURC, has been chair of the Shoreland Zoning Task Force, served on the Saco River Corridor Commission and has been an affiliated director of the Natural Resources Council of Maine. Mrs. Libby has served on the Limington Planning Board and the Limington Comprehensive Planning Committee. We acknowledge their dedicated service to their community and to the State of Maine, and we send them our appreciation for their good works.”