UPDATE MARCH 28, 2020 With several DNFs, the cache has been replaced about 12 feet from the original hiding spot. (Coordinates reflect that change) With almost eight years of growth, the original hiding spot was no longer suitable and I wonder what happened to the original container... The new cache is smaller, but still big enough to hold some swag. Please wedge it right side up to help it stay dry and use natural cammo to obscure it from vision. On the other side of the path, if you can manage to scramble through the thorny bushes and small trees to the large fallen tree that marks the area of the chestnut plantings, the trees are marked with lime green plastic tape. They are definitely competing with other naturally growing species. I could see three from my vantage spot, one of which seemed to be doing particularly well.
The Sanford-Springvale area is blessed to have many civic-minded people/organizations who work tirelessly for the betterment of the community. One of those is Dr. Gordon "Bud" Johnston, President of the Mousam Way Land Trust and one of our local "trail gurus" In October of 2012, Dr. Bud spear-headed a service learning project for Sanford students. SJHS Science Teacher, Karen Birch describes the project:
Students in Learning Community Five from the Junior High took part in a service learning project in
conjunction with the Mousam Way Land Trust. The project centered around restoration of the American
chestnut tree which used to be the predominant tree in the forests of the Eastern US. The chestnut
population dropped to almost nothing in the early part of the 20th century due to a blight that was
introduced when Asian chestnut trees became popular in the US.
Students planted 36 trees, six of which were true American Chestnuts. The other thirty trees were
backcrossed hybrids (from different nurseries) that are 15/16 American chestnut and 1/16 Chinese
Chestnut. The hope is that these hybrids will have all the desirable characteristics of the American
chestnut with the disease resistance of the Asian varieties. The tree planting was the first step in a long‐
term experiment to test the viability of these hybrids in Maine.
Students carried out a variety of tasks: measuring and marking hole locations; digging
holes determining the soil profile of each hole; planting; watering; spraying with a
repellent to keep away grazing animals; and putting up bat boxes and kestrel houses
to aid species affected when the land was cleared for planting.
This project has multiple tie‐ins to the 7th grade science curriculum and will be a basis
for exploration and learning as we go through the year. Students also had the
opportunity to partner with community members in a real‐world project that may
very well have a lasting impact on local ecology. Students had a great day (in spite of
some cool temps and drizzle) and had a true, authentic learning experience that they will come back to over and over
throughout the school year.
A special thank‐you to Dr. Bud Johnston and the Mousam Way Land Trust for their commitment to including local students in
this project and for taking the time to work with them and share their extensive knowledge.
Check out this video about the project ‐ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tnhf4Xf7jSY&feature=youtu.be
The fourth and largest cache of the Town Farm Trail Series is on the opposite side from the American Chestnut planting. Now, not quite two years later, the trees are competing with other flora some of which is bigger than they are. Each tree is marked with a metal rod with about two inches of green paint at the top.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO GO INTO THE PLANTING AREA TO FIND THIS CACHE. It is a quick find on the opposite side of the trail. The round trip to this cache is about a mile. Since this trail is infrequently bushwhacked, be prepared to walk through grass which may be wet. The cache has Chinese finger traps and Charlie Chaplin nose-glasses to start. Please re-hide the canister right side up to help insure the cache stays dry.