SPRINGVALE — The Sanford Springvale Trails Committee and the City of Sanford is inviting folks to join local naturalist Dr. Gordon “Bud” Johnston as he leads the committee’s Annual Autumn Walk on Sunday, Oct. 1, from 9 a.m. to noon.

This year’s outing will be at “The Blanchard Project,” a Sanford/Springvale Mousam Way Land Trust Environmental Reserve project located on Blanchard Road, 1.1 miles from Hanson’s Ridge Road, across from 255 Blanchard Road. Off-road parking is available.

Organizers say the easily walked, kid-friendly trails traverse over rolling, glacially deposited esker formations, and an interesting ancient outcrop which forms little cliffs dropping into Branch River. Several stops will be made for informational chats at different forest types, glacial “erratic” boulders, wetland vernal pool areas, meadowland restoration areas, Branch Stream and Branch River Fens, and a fun and unique, railroad company-built “Cattle Pass.” A walk along the Rail Trail will lead to Carpenter’s Bridge and The Outcrop. 

Johnston, a retired botanist and president of the land trust, said in a spring interview that the 79-acre tract is diverse.

“It has tremendous potential for habitat improvement and enhancement,” said Johnston, who said the land trust plans to plant spicebush, which butterflies feed on, and American chestnut trees, since an experimental planting of the trees in 2012 on Hanson’s Ridge has proven successful. The tree had been prolific from Maine to Florida, until is succumbed to a fungus in the first half of the 20th century. 

Rain or shine, organizers say this outing promises to be one of the more interesting naturalist walks the Trails Committee has offered. 

Join “The Blanchard Project” Facebook page at facebook.com/groups/1192392210830993/ for a map and preview of the area; click on the “Files” section for fact sheets, and leave a comment or ask for more information.