The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District’s Law Farm
Check out the toggles below to view the trail map, learn about our latest projects and additions to the Law Farm and the history of the land!
The Law Farm provides a chance for visitors to learn about how planning and maintaining a community forest can have everlasting positive effects on a variety of important factors such as ecosystem biodiversity, the health of our residents, access to and for outdoor recreation and access to safe public lands.
Through the Law Farm, the PCSWCD provides unique recreational and educational opportunities in Piscataquis County and a community space for active learning. In Piscataquis County, the forests provide a livelihood for many of our residents and a thriving community forest is representative of a healthy economy, opportunity for our children, the beauty of our home and our love and respect for nature.
Please click through all the sections below to see all the fun, exploration and beauty that awaits at the Law Farm!
Educational tours can be arranged through the PCSWCD by emailing info@piscataquisswcd.org or calling 207-802-4006.
More About the Law Farm!
Do you need a space for your next gathering? Consider renting the Law Farm Outdoor Classroom! This building offers side doors that open up completely, allowing for a sheltered, breezy and scenic spot. Picnic tables and a composting privy are also on site.
All proceeds from rentals of the classroom will support PCSWCD educational programming.
FMI on rentals, please contact Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District at info@piscataquisswcd.org, 207-802-4006.
The acres of the Law Farm Community Forest provide opportunities for families to hike, exercise and picnic together as well as provide a place to learn more about forestry practices, conservation efforts and agroforestry.
Steven and Elaine Law purchased this land in 1945 and deeded it to the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District in 2009 after a search for the organization that could best carry out the dual missions of managing the forest for now and for future generations and also teaching others about the importance of stewardship of our natural resources.
Since that time, our District has been working with granters, volunteers, local businesses and organizations to develop the property into an inviting and dynamic public outdoor space.
The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District invites you to explore the community forest at the Law Farm. Our trails wind through forested wetlands, agroforestry demonstration areas and a Northern white cedar wetland. We have added several informative signs, which provide the public with information on the many conservation practices and projects taking place on the Law Farm.
The Law Farm is a great place to take a walk in the woods, enjoy a picnic with family, check out and learn about the wide variety of native tree species planted at the forest, snowshoe, cross country ski, bird and wildlife watch, bring youth groups for outdoor nature experiences and much more.
Don’t forget we have a geocache here! Can you find it? Law Farm Geocache
We hope you enjoy the beauty and diversity of the Law Farm!
Since the Law Farm was deeded to the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District, we have overseen several improvement projects on the land.
Things to check out at the Law Farm:
The Law Homestead Trail – Take a walk up the Law Homestead Trail to check out our newly established orchard, enjoy the beautiful, rare roses that were planted by Stephen Law years ago and enjoy the sweet smell of the lilacs there.
The American Chestnut Germplasm Conservation Orchard – These American Chestnuts are now well established and producing nuts!
Hazelnuts – Our hazelnuts are mature and producing nuts! Be sure to join us in early September for our Hazelnut Harvest event!
Law Farm Outdoor Classroom – We use this space for our educational programming and you can too! Just send us an email at info@piscataquisswcd.org to ask about using this beautiful building!
Pollinator Garden – This beautiful circle garden is not only eye-catching, it is the perfect habitat for native pollinators. We invite you to come in August when it is in full-bloom and listen and watch the pollinators flutter and buzz around.
Soil Pit Demonstration Sites – We teamed up with local soil scientists to establish two soil pit demonstration sites on the property. They may just look like holes in the ground, but there is SO MUCH they teach us about soil. Reach out to us to learn more or to set up a soil lesson!
Story Walk – Each Spring and Summer, Thompson Free Library sets up a Story Walk at the Law Farm. This flat, easy walk is great for families with small children.
For more information on any of these great Law Farm projects, please be sure to contact the PCSWCD!
With collaboration from the University of Maine’s then acting director of Cooperative Forestry Research unit, Brian Roth, Foxcroft Academy’s science teachers Robert Weber and Brian Krause and The American Chestnut Foundation’s Maine chapter, Thomas Klak, 104 seedlings were planted on July 18, 2017, which is overseen by the PCSWCD for the Chestnut Germplasm Conservation Orchard (GCO). With the addition of a beautiful new sign to the Law Farm, visitors can view the orchard while getting more information about the new Chestnut Germplasm Conservation Orchard.
The Chestnut Germplasm Conservation Orchard is an exciting research venture for the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District and we look forward to sharing information about this project with you all.
Directions, Map, Brochure & Trail Updates
The Law Farm is now featured on Maine Trail Finder! Click here to see the Law Farm Nature Trails page on Maine Trail FindeThe Law Farm is now featured on Maine Trail Finder! Click here to see the Law Farm Nature Trails page on Maine Trail Finder!
From the center of Dover-Foxcroft, travel 1.25 miles on Route 16 (Milo Rd.) and take a right onto Lee Cemetery Rd. The Law Farm parking lot is located a half mile down Lee Cemetery Rd. on the right. There is additional parking along route 16 locating at 477 Milo Road. This parking lot was generously donated to the PCSWCD by Pleasant River Lumber.
Notice anything while out enjoying your walk? Tree down across the trail? Damage? Please let us know: info@piscataquisswcd.org.
Attention: Notice to photographers using the Law Farm Nature Trails
We have a NEW dog leash policy at the Law Farm:
Please remember to LEAVE NO TRACE when enjoying the Law Farm Nature Trails!
The Law Farm trails are ready for you to explore! Head out there and enjoy!
