Tree Planting Begins Rejuvenation of Sanford Community Forest

Some of the volunteers that helped with planting at Sanford Community Forest earlier this week.

Photo: Lee Burnett

From a press release

Three Rivers Land Trust has launched a planting program at Sanford Community Forest and is looking for volunteers willing to dig holes and shovel dirt.Two planting days are scheduled in the coming weeks: Wednesday, Oct. 9 and Tuesday, Oct. 15. On both days, volunteers are invited to gather at 9:30 am at the Sanford Community Forest parking area on upper Oak Street, Springvale (opposite 440 Oak Street).

The planned planting continues a program that began last fall with help from volunteers from Great Bay Services, an agency that supports adults with disabilities in leading full lives.

“We had an amazing morning planting blueberry and beach plum bushes and birch trees,” said Three Rivers Executive Director Ruth Gutman. “We continued that partnership this

year and hope to continue working with Great Bay and other organizations… It can’t be a community forest if we don’t make everyone feel welcome.”

The planting of native trees, shrubs and pollinators is aimed at restoring forest diversity and health to 550 acres of woods that are still recovering from heavy logging 15 years ago. The Land Trust has sought suggestions from the community on the mix of species to plant.

The planting is supported by local donations and a $3,543 grant from Project Canopy, a program of the Maine Forest Service. The planting is part of an ambitious rejuvenation plan that includes restoring impaired wetlands, enhancing wildlife habitat, repairing eroded trails and building new trails.

Over the past year, Three Rivers Land Trust has received a total of $73,600 in grant funding to invest in the rejuvenation of the community forest.

– The Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund awarded $15,000 to help build the new parking area at the trailhead, which provides ample space for school buses to turn around and van- accessible parking spots.

– LL Bean Land Trust awarded a $5,000 grant to fund a tool purchase and cover salary needs for a stewardship assistant, a new position at the Land Trust.

– The Recreational Trails Program awarded $50,000 to build a universal access trail, meeting Forest Service Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Guidelines, that would connect the parking lot to a former log landing being developed as an educational programing area.

More funding is needed. The Land Trust seeks to raise an additional $80,000 in donations from the Sanford community by early 2025 to complete the accessible trail and assist with trail improvements in other areas of the forest.