On March 1, 2021, FBC successfully closed its $900,000 capital campaign to acquire 1400 acres in Hancock, part of a larger 4500 acres in Hancock that together will form Frenchman Bay Community Forest.

The Frenchman Bay Community Forest is part of a nearly 25,000-acre undeveloped habitat block, likely the largest remaining undeveloped habitat black in Hancock County under one mile to the coast. It will be accessible from the Downeast Sunrise Trail, minutes from downtown Ellsworth.

The next chapter of this land’s history will include regrowing big trees, ensuring valuable habitat for Maine’s wildlife, and creating new opportunities for outdoor recreation. Free and open to the public, the Frenchman Bay Community Forest will provide opportunities for walking, hiking, biking, and snowshoeing through a future network of trails.

Thank you to everyone that contributed to our campaign to protect this beautiful community resource, as well as to our partner, New England Forestry Foundation — the organization that will manage the 3100 acres of land to the north of the Downeast Sunrise Trail — and the generous landowner who made this vision a reality.

Trail Description

Trails are coming in Fall 2022!

Directions

The Frenchman Bay Community Forest trailhead will be accessible off of Route 182, just minutes from downtown Ellsworth. More details will be provided when trails open to the public.