Forever Forests for Sebago Lake

Hague Farmstead

Acres: 460 | Private - No Public Access

The Hague family has a long history with this land and first protected the forested landscape and later, with another easement, the farmstead. These conservation easements held by Western Foothills Land Trust (WFLT) protect all 460 acres of their land, which includes fields, pastures, working forests, and 1.5 miles of frontage on the Crooked River, the largest tributary to Sebago Lake. The steep slopes here drain runoff to either the Crooked River or McWain Pond, which empties into the Crooked River.

Camp Wawenock

Acres: 60 | Private-No Public Access

This land sits directly on the shores of Sebago Lake, is home to a summer girls’ camp, and is protected by a conservation easement held by the Maine Woodland Owners. The camp owners have been faithful stewards of the lake, and donated this easement so the forests could be maintained as working forest and protected from development. The 1,000 feet of forested Sebago Lake shoreline reduces erosion and acts as a filter against any polluted runoff moving towards the lake.

Photo credit: Neily Raymond

Watkins

Acres: 690 | Private – No Public Access

The Watkins family donated this conservation easement to WFLT to protect their valuable timberlands from being developed and to continue the family woodlot operation. The property includes wetlands and 1.2 miles along the Crooked River shoreline and nearly 10,000 feet of Russell Brook shoreline – two waterways identified as prime fisheries resources - which will remain protected forever. Maintaining forests along the most significant tributary to Sebago Lake ensures long term water quality protection.  

Pondicherry Park

Acres: 66 |  Public Access Info 

The Town of Bridgton owns this park, and a conservation easement held by Loon Echo Land Trust (LELT) protects it from development. The landscape contains woods, wildlife habitat, wetlands, and 3,200 feet of shoreline along Willett Brook and Stevens Brook. Visitors can enjoy the park’s walking trails for low impact recreation, education, and nature study. Willett and Stevens brooks converge and flow into a chain of lakes that connect to Sebago Lake through the Songo River.

Moon Valley

Acres: 14 | No Public Trails 

WFLT purchased this retired sand pit to restore the land and protect 390 feet of Crooked River frontage. The project goals included enhancing existing wetlands and creating new wetlands and forests along the river, a significant fishery and drinking water resource. Volunteers spread grass seeds and planted 1,800 wetland adapted trees that will forever protect the water quality at this bend in the Crooked River.

Maple Ridge

Acres: 35 | No Public Trails

Protected by a conservation easement, this property contains a healthy mix of young and old growth trees managed by WFLT as a working forest. More than 600 feet of Russell Brook, an important habitat for trout and salmon, wind through this property before emptying into the Crooked River. By conserving this property, which sits next to two other conservation projects, 776 acres of uninterrupted forest and 2.5 miles of undeveloped Russell Brook shoreline will forever be protected from development.

Flint Farm

Acres: 156 | Private - No Public Access

While forests cover most of this property, a small pasture dotted with fruit trees reveals the historic use of the land as a small homestead farm. The landowners have a deep connection to their land and chose to donate this conservation easement to Mahoosuc Land Trust so it will remain in its natural state forever. The wetlands and small pond release water into Flints Brook, which flows into the Crooked River and, ultimately, to Sebago Lake.

Tenny River

Acres: 53 | Private – No Public Access

A conservation easement held by LELT protects this property from development while Camp Hinds, a Boy Scouts wilderness camp, owns and manages the land. The forests surround wetlands, two small streams, and nearly 1,700 feet of Tenny River shoreline. These conserved forests protect the water quality and wildlife habitat along the river while providing recreational and educational opportunities for Camp Hinds. Runoff from this land collects in the Tenny River, which flows to Panther Pond and then outlets into Sebago Lake by the Jordan River.

Perley Pond-Northwest River

Acres: 149 |  Public Access Info 

This preserve consists of upland forest, wetlands, and Perley Pond and Northwest River frontage. The public can access these lands on foot by a woods road and by water with the hand-carry boat launch on Perley Pond. Unique and valuable natural resources found here include 71 acres of wetlands, a pitch pine bog, and inland waterfowl and wading bird habitat, which will all be protected forever. Perley Pond outlets to a stream that flows into the Northwest River, one of Sebago Lake’s major tributaries. 

Stanley Wetlands

Acres: 21 | No Public Trails 

This wetland property protects 730 feet of Papoose Pond shoreline and nearly 2,000 feet of Crooked River shoreline, and it slows and filters runoff before it collects in Papoose Pond. The Stanley family donated this land to WFLT in order to conserve it in its natural state and keep this scenic spot on the shores of Papoose Pond. Due to the wetlands dominating the property and no formal trail system, public access includes winter recreation only. Papoose Pond outlets to the Crooked River, the most significant tributary to Sebago Lake.

Perley Mills Community Forest

Acres: 1,600 |  Public Access Info 

The towns of Denmark and Sebago sustainably manage this community forest while LELT holds a conservation easement. The public can access ample forests, three ponds, over 200 acres of wetlands, and 8.6 miles of streams, rivers and brooks. Conserving this land helped the local community meet goals to protect wildlife habitat and enhance public access to nature. Most of this land’s water resources end up in Willett Brook which flows through a chain of lakes to merge with the Songo River before emptying into Sebago Lake.

Crooked River Forest - LELT

Acres: 419 |  Public Access Info 

These working forests, owned and managed by LELT along the Crooked River, include four different properties. Intervale and Woodsum Brook comprise two of the five properties of the Crooked River Forest acquisition in 2014, which protected 791 acres of forest land along 3.5 miles of the river. A purchase in 2018 of the Edwards Parcel created a contiguous 337 acres at Intervale, which offers the best opportunity for recreation with 1.5 miles of river frontage and over 2 miles of trails. The donations of Woodsum Brook and the Cummings Parcel protect Woodsum Brook shoreline and 1,360 feet of Crooked River frontage. This conservation effort created public access to previously private lands. Woodsum Brook empties into Crystal Lake, which, through a chain of lakes, flows to the Songo River, a tributary to Sebago Lake.

Twin Bridges Preserve

Acres: 252 |  Public Access Info 

This preserve is one of the five properties of the Crooked River Forest acquisition in 2014, which protected a total of 791 acres of forestland along 3.5 miles of the river. Twin Bridges includes nearly 7,000 feet of frontage on the Crooked River. The public has access to five miles of trails through the woods and alongside the river, which permit walking, snowshoeing, dog-walking, hunting, and fishing. The Crooked River is the largest tributary flowing into Sebago Lake, providing nearly 40% of its annual flow. 

Crooked River Forest - WFLT

Acres: 197 | No Public Trails

These forests are owned and sustainably managed by WFLT and include two unconnected properties. The landowners donated Oak Hill and Watkins South to WFLT as part of the Crooked River Forest acquisition in 2014, an effort that protected a total of 791 acres of forestland along 3.5 miles of the river. While no established trail system exists, the land can be used for hunting, fishing, and low-impact recreation. The Crooked River shoreline here will remain protected by forests, contributing to clean water downstream in Sebago Lake.

Raymond Community Forest

Acres: 356 |  Public Access Info 

This community-managed recreational preserve protects one of the largest undeveloped forests in Raymond. Six generations of sustainable forestry on the land continue through LELT ownership, as well as access for hunting. Four miles of trails offer opportunities for walking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, mountain biking, and hiking up Pismire Mountain. Conserving this land helped the local community meet goals to protect water quality, wildlife habitat, and scenic resources at a time when the previous owners were ready to sell the land. Runoff from this preserve collects in Crescent Lake, flows into Panther Pond by the Tenny River, and into Sebago Lake by the Jordan River.

Photo credit: Jerry Monkman, ecophotography.com

Whitney Pond Reserve

Acres: 64 |  Public Access Info 

The Greater Lovell Land Trust (GLLT) manages this property, which sits in the far-northern portion of the watershed. It completely encompasses the 9-acre Whitney Pond, its surrounding forests, and 14 acres of wetlands. Whitney Pond empties into Mill Brook, which flows into the Crooked River.

Proctor Pond Reserve

Acres: 64 |  Public Access Info 

This reserve is about 20 miles northwest of Sebago Lake. The forests and 15 acres of wetlands along Mill Brook, as well as 800 feet of Proctor Pond shoreline, remain open to the public for traditional uses like hunting and fishing. Protecting the ecological and scenic features of this conserved land furthers GLLT’s vision of conserving a network of contiguously preserved lands in this region. Mill Brook courses through a portion of the property before emptying into Proctor Pond and then discharges into the Crooked River.

Howe Woodlot

Acres: 40 | Private - No Public Access

The Howe property consists of farm fields and working forest, and is part of conservation efforts which protect 350 acres of contiguous historic farms on the McIntire Road. Forests adjacent to farmlands help protect any potential farming-related water quality impact. The conservation of this land also promotes public awareness and appreciation of the rural heritage of the area. A small stream winds through this property and flows into the Crooked River.

Fogg Lot

Acres: 68 | No Public Trails 

This working forest joins two previously conserved WFLT Crooked River Forest properties, Oak Hill and Watkins South, to protect a combined 268 acres of land and 7,800 feet of forested Crooked River shoreline. The Fogg Lot contains over 1,515 feet of Crooked River shoreline, 661 feet of a tributary stream to the Crooked, and 12 acres of wetlands, and sits on top of a significant sand and gravel aquifer. Visitors can access this parcel by logging roads from the Oak Hill property for fishing, hunting, and hiking. The Crooked River supplies Sebago Lake with nearly 40% of its surface water inflow.

Hawk Mountain

Acres: 284 |  Public Access Info 

Hawk Mountain forms part of the greater Hatch Preserve, a popular recreation area protected and managed by WFLT. The Preserve has approximately three miles of hiking trails and the mountain offers spectacular views of the Sebago Lake Watershed and western Maine. Runoff from this land eventually collects in Long Lake, then flows down to Brandy Pond and into the Songo River, a tributary to Sebago Lake.

Tiger Hill Community Forest

Acres: 1,451 |  Public Access Info 

Tiger Hill Community Forest in Sebago is located only two miles from Sebago Lake. The Northwest River, supplying about 4% of the flow to Sebago Lake, runs through the wooded property. This project was made possible through collaboration with Sebago Clean Waters partners and is now owned and managed by LELT. In 2021, the trust acquired an adjacent piece of property that will allow for river access and the development of a parking area. This gem of a property will surely grow into a recreation destination as trails are established in the future.

Photo credit: Jerry Monkman, ecophotography.com

Peabody-Fitch Woods

Acres: 252 |  Public Access Info 

This conservation effort created over 1,600 acres of connected and protected forests on the northwest border of the Sebago Lake Watershed due to its proximity to Perley Mills Community Forest. The woods and 2.5 miles of trails surround the fields and farm of the adjacent land of the historic Naramissic property where Bridgton’s first settler built a farm house in 1797. Some runoff from this land drains north to Long Lake, which flows into Sebago Lake by Brandy Pond and the Songo River. Remaining runoff drains south to Town Farm Brook, then through Ingalls Pond and Holt Pond, and finally to Sebago Lake by way of the Muddy River.

Scribner Parcel

Acres: 43 | No Public Trails 

This WFLT property protects 2,800 feet of frontage on the Crooked River. This land creates a 300+ acre block of conserved forest because it is adjacent to Crooked River Forest – WFLT land and Fogg Lot. While no formal trail system exists here, the land can be used for hunting and other low-impact recreation. Conserving the natural features of this land helps protect wildlife habitat and native plant species, as well as the water quality in the Crooked River and downstream in Sebago Lake.

Briggs Bog Pond Preserve

Acres: 29 | Private – No Public Access

This preserve neighbors WFLT’s Hatch Preserve and protects 1,200 feet of Bog Pond shoreline, as well as 8 acres of associated wetlands. The long-time owner donated the land for the purpose of the protection of its natural features, including a floating Sphagnum moss bog containing interesting plant species such as cranberries, several orchid species, horned bladderwort, sundews, and pitcher plants. Bog Pond flows to Sebago Lake by a chain of ponds and lakes that connect to Sebago Lake by the Songo River. 

City Brook

Acres: 16 | No Public Trails 

This small property is located along City Brook in Waterford. The owner donated this forested property to WFLT for future creation of a walking trail along the brook. The brook holds historic importance to the community as it once had many operational mills that formed the economic engine of the town. City Brook flows out of Keoka Lake and through a chain of ponds and lakes before emptying into Sebago Lake by the Songo River.