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Land Acquisition News
This summer, Blue Hill Heritage Trust acquired a parcel of land known as the “Salt Pond Blueberry Barrens” in Blue Hill. The 38-acre property offers striking views of the Salt Pond, as well as a vast expanse of native blueberry barrens dotted with large glacial boulders.
The property provides opportunities for blueberry harvesting, public recreation, commercial elver fishing, and public access to the Salt Pond. Thanks to a large community-led effort, this property is now permanently conserved. Blue Hill Heritage Trust has the responsibility - and the opportunity - to care for the property and ensure that its ecological, cultural, scenic, and community values remain for generations to come.
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Management Plans and Goals For The Property
The land has received limited management for more than a decade. Large trees are beginning to grow throughout the blueberry barrens, while the surrounding tree line continues to encroach upon the open fields. Without active management, the character and ecological values of the barrens could gradually be lost.
BHHT’s management strategy is focused on maintaining and keeping the barrens open for blueberry production, scenic views, cultural and natural heritage, while performing reliable, safe and effective stewardship. Management will include a combination of the following:
- Flail mow portions of the fields on a rotational basis (mechanical mowing is feasible on approximately 5–10% of the overall field acreage).
- In collaboration with local fire departments and the Maine Forest Service (MFS), use prescribed fire to manage the remaining portions of the blueberry fields on a 3 to 4 year rotation.
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Prepare and maintain control lines and firebreaks throughout the fields in preparation for prescribed burns.
Our plans for capital improvements on the property are related to community access and long-term maintenance. Community members have expressed their desire for the property to be accessible to all. The parking area will be designed to allow visitors with limited mobility the opportunity to enjoy unparalleled views of nature and the Salt Pond. Planning and permitting for a parking area is underway with the Maine Department of Transportation and the Town of Blue Hill.
In 2027, BHHT will be working with local contractors to improve the main parking area, as well as the parking area abutting the Carlton Stream outlet, which is utilized by the elver fishing community. Following Maine Forest Service recommendations, light road improvements are planned to support the long-term stewardship of the property. Thoughtful planning and infrastructure improvements will help protect the land, support responsible recreation, and ensure the property can be properly managed for future use.
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Project History
The property has a long and complicated history. Approximately a decade ago, the land was owned by a family and operated as a commercial blueberry field. After family members passed away, the property was divided and eventually placed on the market. Blue Hill Heritage Trust explored the possibility of purchasing the land in 2023, but as an accredited land trust, the Trust was unable to pay the amount that the sellers were seeking (approximately three times the fair market value).
The property was ultimately purchased by a developer who proposed constructing a nine-home subdivision within the blueberry barrens. The proposed development generated significant opposition from hundreds of community members and several surrounding towns. After reviewing the proposal, the Town of Blue Hill Planning Board unanimously rejected the subdivision application, citing the site's cultural, scenic, and wildlife habitat values.
The community continued working to find a way to permanently conserve the property. Through a unique partnership between Save the Salt Pond Blueberry Barrens, the community group leading the conservation effort, and its fiscal sponsor, Blue Hill Community Development, an agreement was reached with the developer. With the assistance of a loan from a private foundation and support from more than 345 individual donors, Save the Salt Pond Blueberry Barrens successfully raised $1.86 million to purchase the property. Blue Hill Heritage Trust was the largest contributor, donating $300,000 toward the project, bringing it across the finish line in June. Blue Hill Community Development ultimately gifted the land to the Trust.
The Salt Pond Blueberry Barrens represent much more than 38 acres of conserved land. It is a place where conservation, local history, culture, recreation, art, and economic activity have intersected for decades. The permanent conservation of the property was a tremendous community achievement. Blue Hill Heritage Trust is honored to be the next stewards of this remarkable place.
| | Funding Opportunity for Maine Teachers! | | |
Did you know that the Maine Environmental Education Association (MEEA) has a current funding opportunity? MEEA's Mini Grants for Outdoor Learning offer up to $1,500 for K-12 public schools and teachers to support outdoor learning and environmental education projects. Applications will be accepted through October 9.
Click HERE to learn about the types of projects that can be funded, see teacher and student testimonials, and find answers to frequently asked questions.
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September and October
BHHT and Community Events
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Storybook Trail with the Brooksville Free Public Library
Through September 30, 2026
Meadow Brook-Mill Stream Trail, Brooksville ME
Join the Brooksville Free Public Library and the Blue Hill Heritage Trust for a fun and family-friendly Storybook Trail.
Enjoy a walk through nature as you read a story along one of BHHT's increased accessibility trails at Meadow Brook - Mill Stream. It's the perfect way to combine the joy of reading with the beauty of the outdoors. Once you complete the trail, head over to the Brooksville Free Public Library to collect your prize!
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BHHT Volunteer Day at Walker Pond - Brooksville
October 1, 2026 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Walker Pond Trail Parking Lot, Brooksville ME
Join us for a hands-on afternoon of trail improvement! We are preparing the preserve for an upcoming new trail. Volunteer tasks may include clearing and widening sections of trail, digging and shaping trail surfaces, and trimming vegetation.
We recommend that volunteers bring/wear water, work gloves and sturdy boots or closed-toed shoes (the terrain may be wet.) We’ll provide all tools, plus extra gloves, drinks, and snacks. Everyone is welcome—no experience necessary. Whether you can stay for the whole time or just drop in, we’d love to have you!
Please email us if you plan to attend so we can get a headcount at stewardship@bluehillheritagetrust.org or call our office at 374-5118.
*Weather note: If it rains, we’ll shift to Friday, October 2nd. Keep an eye on your email for updates.
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BHHT Volunteer Day at Blue Hill Mountain
October 8, 2026 @ 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Hayes Trail Parking Lot- Blue Hill Mountain, Blue Hill ME
Help us protect this special place while enjoying fresh air, great company, and hands-on conservation work. We’ll be working together to cut back invasive bittersweet, helping restore native habitats.
Volunteers will work in small groups across different areas of the mountain, including fields and trails.
We’ll gather at the Hayes Trail parking lot (the large lot at the top of the hill). We recommend that volunteers bring/wear water, work gloves and sturdy boots or closed-toed shoes and hand clippers/loppers (if you have them.) Don’t have tools or gloves? We’ve got extras available, along with drinks and snacks! Everyone is welcome—no experience needed. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or brand new, we’d love to have you.
Please email us if you plan to attend so we can get a headcount at stewardship@bluehillheritagetrust.org
or call our office at 374-5118.
*Weather note: If it rains, Friday, October 9th, it will be the rain date. Keep an eye on your email for updates.
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Friends From the Field: Dark Skies in Blue Hill and Deer Isle
October 8, 2026 @ 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Online through Zoom
Join Blue Hill Heritage Trust and Island Heritage Trust for our first Friends From the Field webinar of the season!
To astronomers, dark skies — the absence of light pollution — represent a precious and increasingly rare aspect of the environment, one that mainstream environmentalists sometimes overlook. Our speaker, Michael Goldstein, is vice-president of the Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association, and leads its project to identify dark observing sites. He recently visited Deer Isle and experienced its exceptionally dark skies first-hand. Goldstein’s talk will compare local conditions to other areas of the United States and Maine, and will illustrate the incredible power — and rapidly improving ease of use — of today’s observing technologies.
Registration is required. Sign-up HERE.
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Reading the Landscape with Tom Wessels: Blue Hill Mountain Summit
October 14, 2026 @ 9:00am - 12:00pm
Meeting location provided upon registration
This program will be an exploration of the exposed summit of Blue Hill Mountain focusing on its geological history, the successional process on its exposed bedrock that created its graceful outcrop communities, and how one can walk among these fragile communities and have no impact on them at all.
Participants will meet a BHHT staff member at 9:00am (meeting location will be provided upon registration). We will hike to the summit along a trail that includes stairs, ledges, rocks, and roots. Trail length is approximately 1 mile and is rated easy-difficult. Tom will be waiting for the group at the summit, and once his talk is over BHHT staff will lead the group down the mountain. Prepare to be out for 2.5-3 hours.
**Space is limited to 12 participants and registration is required. Register HERE.
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BHHT Volunteer Day at Walker Pond - Brooksville
October 15, 2026 @ 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Walker Pond Trail Parking Lot, Brooksville ME
Join us for a hands-on afternoon of trail improvement! We are preparing the preserve for an upcoming new trail. Volunteer tasks may include clearing and widening sections of trail, digging and shaping trail surfaces, and trimming vegetation.
We recommend that volunteers bring/wear water, work gloves and sturdy boots or closed-toed shoes (the terrain may be wet.) We’ll provide all tools, plus extra gloves, drinks, and snacks. Everyone is welcome—no experience necessary. Whether you can stay for the whole time or just drop in, we’d love to have you!
Please email us if you plan to attend so we can get a headcount at stewardship@bluehillheritagetrust.org or call our office at 374-5118.
*Weather note: If it rains, we’ll shift to Friday, October 16th. Keep an eye on your email for updates.
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Storybook Trail with the Word Festival
October 16-26, 2026
John Murphy Trail, Blue Hill ME
Joioin us for a fun and family-friendly Storybook Trail along John Murphy Trail in Blue Hill, in collaboration with the Word Literary Arts Festival.
Enjoy a leisurely walk through nature as you read the classic children’s story, The Very Hungry Caterpillar! This trail has increased accessibility features and is great for strollers, walkers, and wheelchairs and is located in the heart of Blue Hill.
There will be accompanying program at the Blue Hill Public Library on Saturday, October 24 at 10:00am. Kids can join a read-aloud and cook-along event and make their own caterpillar fruit kebabs! Visit the BHPL website to learn more HERE.
To learn more about the Word Literary Arts Festival, visit their website HERE.
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BHHT Volunteer Day at Ferry Landing - Brooksville
October 22, 2026 @ 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Ferry Road Parking Area, Brooksville ME
Spend some time outdoors, meet great people, and help us
care for this beautiful coastal property. We’ll be tackling invasive multiflora rose, clipping and pulling back these thorny plants to help native species thrive. Thanks to volunteers like you, we made great progress last year—and we’re excited to keep the momentum going as we work toward removing it from the property over time.
We recommend that volunteers bring/wear water, work gloves, long-sleeves (to guard against thorny plant) and sturdy boots or closed-toed shoes (the terrain will be wet with woody debris.) We’ll provide all the tools you’ll need, plus extra support along the way. No experience needed—just bring your energy and willingness to help!
Please email us if you plan to attend so we can get a headcount at stewardship@bluehillheritagetrust.org
or call our office at 374-5118.
*Weather note: if weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll move to Friday, October 23rd—keep an eye on your email for updates.
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Pumpkin Carving at the Walk-in Cafe
October 28, 2026 @ 9:30am - 11:30am
First Congregational Church, Blue Hill ME
Join BHHT staff at the Healthy Peninsula's Walk-in Cafe for a fun pumpkin carving event! The Walk-in Café is a casual social gathering with refreshments and conversation held in the basement of the Blue Hill Congregational Church. This week we will be carving pumpkins to add to BHHT's 4th Annual Pumpkin Promenade, which will be located at the Murphy Trail right next door. Pumpkins will be lit up and ready for viewing along the trail from October 29th through October 31.
Come learn about upcoming BHHT programs, enjoy refreshments, and carve pumpkins with us. Some pumpkins will be provided but please feel free to bring your own. Registration is not required and all are welcome!
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4th Annual Pumpkin Promenade
October 29 through October 31, 2026
John Murphy Trail, Blue Hill ME
Calling all pumpkin carvers! We want you to participate in our 4th annual BHHT Pumpkin Promenade! Carve your pumpkins and drop them off at the Blue Hill Heritage Trust office anytime on Oct 28th (if the office is closed you may leave them outside). You can also drop them off at the John Murphy trailhead on Oct 29th by 8am.
We will stage pumpkins along the John Murphy Accessible Trail where you and the community can view them a-glow during the afternoons/evenings of October 29, 30 and 31.
Contact our office at info@bluehillheritagetrust.org or 374-5118 to learn more.
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Treats on the Trail!
October 31, 2026 @ 4:00pm - 7:00pm
John Murphy Trailhead, Blue Hill ME
BHHT staff will be near our Pumpkin Promenade trailhead (the John Murphy Trail near the First Congregational Church in Blue Hill) on Halloween! Come in costume, walk the trail, see the Pumpkin Promenade, and get some candy. Enjoy tons of Halloween fun and also learn about the Trust. All are welcome. Happy Halloween!
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P.O. Box 222
Blue Hill, Maine 04614
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