Since acquiring the 336-acre Penobscot Community Forest at Wallamatogus Mountain in 2023, Blue Hill Heritage Trust has been putting in place a long-term strategy for caring for this large and varied property. Approximately 170 acres are open blueberry fields, with the remaining acreage primarily forested.
Managing a property of this size requires a combination of field maintenance, prescribed fire, road and access improvements, and forest management. BHHT’s goal is to establish a practical, sustainable approach that maintains the open blueberry fields, supports healthy forests, and allows the property to be cared for effectively for generations to come.
Managing 170 Acres of Blueberry Fields
BHHT manages approximately 170 acres of fields on the side of a mountain. The scale and terrain of these fields are important considerations. Much of the property is rocky, steep, or uneven and difficult to access with large mowing equipment.
Maintaining these fields helps preserve their blueberry production, open character, scenic views, and cultural heritage.
BHHT uses a combination of mechanical mowing, brush-sawing, and prescribed fire to maintain the fields. Mechanical mowing is practical on only a small portion of the property—approximately 5–10%—while prescribed fire is the primary management tool for much of the remaining acreage.
Different portions of the fields are managed at different times based on terrain, vegetation, access, and management needs. This means that not every portion of the property will look freshly maintained at the same time, but each area can be addressed as part of a longer-term management approach.
Since acquiring the property, BHHT has already completed significant field work. In 2023, a commercial crew brush-sawed the vast majority of the blueberry fields, cutting back small trees and woody vegetation. BHHT has continued field maintenance and preparation as needed, including mowing, brush-sawing, and preparation for prescribed fire.
Prescribed Fire
Prescribed fire is a central part of BHHT’s long-term strategy for maintaining the blueberry fields. BHHT works with local fire departments and the Maine Forest Service to manage appropriate areas on an approximately three- to four-year rotation.
A successful prescribed burn requires significant preparation. BHHT must maintain firebreaks and control lines, improve access roads, coordinate with fire professionals, and wait for appropriate weather and site conditions.
In spring 2026, BHHT prepared approximately 70 acres of blueberry fields for a prescribed burn. Weather conditions did not provide a safe opportunity to conduct the burn, and BHHT now expects to complete that burn in spring 2027.
Over time, this approach will allow BHHT to work through larger portions of the property while maintaining the blueberry fields as an open landscape.
Investing in the Property
Long-term stewardship at Wallamatogus depends on reliable access and infrastructure. BHHT is investing in improvements to roads throughout the property to support ongoing management.
Planned work includes grading, ditching, drainage improvements, improved culverts, and additional road base on primary and secondary roads. BHHT also plans to contract mechanical mowing and mulching in areas where terrain allows, and will continue preparing firebreaks and control lines for prescribed burning.
These improvements will make it easier and safer for BHHT staff, contractors, and fire crews to access the property and will provide infrastructure that supports stewardship work for years to come.
Managing the Forest
The forested portion of Wallamatogus is managed under a separate long-term forest management plan focused on maintaining healthy, diverse, and resilient forests while responding to changing conditions.
Some areas will receive active management, while others will be allowed to develop naturally. Management considers forest health, soil and water resources, wildlife habitat, and long-term forest resilience.
Looking Ahead
Wallamatogus is a large and complex property, and maintaining it will require continued work and investment. The goal is not to create a uniformly manicured landscape, but to maintain a healthy and functioning combination of open blueberry fields and forest.
Since acquiring the property, BHHT has already made substantial investments in its care, including extensive brush-sawing in 2023 and establishing a public access hiking trail into the property in 2024. Over the coming years, community members will see continued stewardship work throughout the property—from field mowing and brush-sawing to prescribed fire and road improvements. These efforts are part of a long-term strategy designed to keep Wallamatogus open, accessible, and well cared for for the community and future generations.