Francis Small Heritage Trust, Inc.

Gratitude & Growth: Celebrating an Incredible Day at Devils Den!

May 23, 2026Tadd Stuart

Hello FSHT Community,

Whether you have been walking our trails for decades or you signed up to join our newsletter list just today at the trailhead—thank you. Today, the Francis Small Heritage Trust hosted an Open House at our beloved Devils Den property. The cool spring air made for perfect hiking weather, keeping the bugs at bay and setting the stage for an unforgettable morning. Up near the historic cabin, visitors were treated to a beautiful display of local photos and a pristine view of wild pink lady’s slippers blooming right on cue.

The real highlight of the day, however, was the people.

We had a steady flow of foot traffic all morning. We shared stories with neighbors from around Bickford and Colcord Ponds, swapped trail tips with local rock climbers exploring the Devil’s Cartway, and introduced eager newcomers to our newly opened Connector Trail.

We also want to congratulate our raffle winners today! A visitor from Biddeford walked away with a brand-new FSHT tote bag, and a dedicated regular from the Healthy Sacopee hiking group won a copy of Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book, The Serviceberry.

A Moment of Profound Generosity
As an organization run entirely by passionate neighbors and volunteers, we pour our hearts into keeping these lands accessible, protected, and beautiful. Today, we were completely blown away when a local couple stepped forward with a commitment to the Trust to support our ongoing stewardship work. Words cannot adequately express how grateful we are for this level of trust and support. It ensures we can keep blazing new trails and protecting watersheds for generations to come.

To our long-time subscribers: thank you for your ongoing support. To our 14 new subscribers who joined us today: welcome to the family! We are so excited to have you on this journey with us.

Keep an eye out for our upcoming summer trail walks and events (and next time, we promise to put a lawn sign at the turn for Norton Hill Road so your GPS doesn’t have to guess!).

See you out on the trails,

The Board & Volunteers Francis Small Heritage Trust

Upcoming Late Spring Events with Francis Small Heritage Trust!

May 15, 2026June 2, 2026Tadd Stuart

Devils Den Open House

📅 Saturday, May 23
⏰ 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
📍 Location:

113 Moody Rd, Porter, ME 04068 (Approach via Norton Hill Road only!)

Join us at the beautiful red-roofed cabin on the ledges and explore our brand new Gateway loop trail and Moody Road South trail! Explore this beloved Porter Hills property with fellow trust members and neighbors.

Note: Standard GPS may try to send you down an unnavigable route via Breakneck Hill Road. Stick to Norton Hill Road!

Note: There is a new ATV trail in the design phase – if you do drive up on your ATV, please park in the parking lot and hike up.

https://fb.me/e/kqBA0dTT4

Black Locust Flower Foraging (Canceled)

📅 Saturday, June 6
⏰ 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
📍 Location:

Ingalls Pond

Francis Small Heritage Trust is canceling the Black Locust Flower Foraging Event at Ingalls Pond on Saturday, June 6 at 10 a.m. It has been brought to our attention that while the rail line through the Ingalls Pond property has not been used by trains in 43 years, the Maine Department Of Transportation still maintains the right of way via pesticide treatment every other year, on odd years. While none of these sprays would harm people traversing the trails, eating plants or mushrooms that grow along those rails is not recommended by MDOT or FSHT.

A FSHT team looked for black locust trees that are away from the tracks and are short enough to forage from, but could not find any at the Ingalls Pond property. (There are many other black locust trees, but they are way too tall.)

Another issue that would affect black locust flower foraging on Saturday is that black locust flowers in this area are running quite late this year and are in tight bud right now. I am doubtful that there will be open flowers on Saturday.

We will have a mushroom foray in August at our Bald Ledge property for the foragers among us. Watch our Facebook page and website news for details.

Announcing Our New Explorer’s Guide!

May 13, 2026Tadd 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/.

Bird Walk at Sisson Heath with the Francis Small Heritage Trust

April 23, 2026Tadd Stuart

Join the Francis Small Heritage Trust for an exciting partner program! If you attended the bird talk at the Kezar Falls Circulating Library in March, this is the perfect follow-up to see firsthand what we discussed.

Spring is one of the best times to view returning birds! We are delighted to announce that this walk will be led by expert guide Chris Lewey of RAVEN Interpretive Programs.

Event Details:

When: May 2 at 7:00 am
Where: Sisson Heath, Cornish, ME

Location & Directions:

Please review these detailed directions, as some GPS systems may be inaccurate. Look for event signs!

Logistical Note: Car pooling is highly recommended. For those driving, please park on the east side of Route 5, south of the guard rail.

Driving Directions:

From the intersection of Routes 5 & 25 in Cornish: Travel 5.7 miles on Route 5. Just after a curve, turn left onto Watson Hill Road. This is a discontinued town road that serves as the entrance to the Heath.
From the intersection of Routes 11 & 5 in Limerick: Travel 3 miles north on Route 5. Just after the guard rail, turn right onto Watson Hill Road. We look forward to seeing you at the Heath!

🌎 Earth Day Clean-up at Riverview Preserve

April 20, 2026Tadd Stuart

Join Francis Small Heritage Trust for a morning of stewardship!

Celebrate Earth Day by helping us maintain the beautiful Riverview Preserve in Cornish. We’ll be working together to ensure the trails are clear and the preserve remains a pristine habitat for local wildlife.

📅 Event Details

When: Saturday, April 25th, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Where: Riverview Preserve, Cornish, Maine (Parking available at the trailhead on Route 5)

🛠️ What We’ll Be Doing

Our main goal is to prep the preserve for the spring season. Tasks include:

Trail Maintenance: Clearing fallen branches and debris from the walking paths.
Litter Removal: Picking up any trash near the riverbank and parking area.
Invasive Species Check: Identifying and removing early-season invasive plants.

🎒 What to Bring

To ensure you stay safe and comfortable, please bring the following:

Work Gloves: Sturdy leather or rubber-coated gloves are best.
Footwear: Waterproof boots or sturdy hiking shoes (it may be muddy!).
Hydration: A reusable water bottle.
Tools: If you have loppers or hand saws, feel free to bring them (please label your tools).

🙋 How to Volunteer

As a volunteer-led non-profit, FSHT relies on people like you! Whether you can stay for an hour or the full morning, every bit of help makes a difference.

Note: This event is family-friendly, but please ensure children are supervised near the water.

What’s Inside This Issue:

How to Read