The Stetser Preserve is a wooded upland forest particularly rich in wildlife diversity because it is located within a 7,000-acre tract of roadless habitat.

It has nearly 4,000 feet of protected frontage on an unnamed perennial stream and a small pond. The property was donated to the Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association, now Midcoast Conservancy, by Janet Stetser to ensure that the land will remain in a natural state forever.

The Stetser Preserve pond is over 2 acres in size. Although the pond is naturally occurring, it was partially filled in before the Stetser family purchased the property. However, in the late 1950s, Janet's father chose to take advantage of a state program that offered to restore farm ponds to their natural state. The restored pond was first stocked with fish by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in 1960.

As you walk the trails keep an eye out for wildlife. Janet says that over the years she has seen deer, moose, beaver, raccoon, fox, and many snowshoe hares on the property. Among her bird sightings have been pileated, downy, and hairy woodpeckers, evening and rose-breasted grosbeaks, nuthatches, mourning doves, and barred and great horned owls.

From ME-194 in Alna: Take the Egypt Road. In 2.5 miles, right to kiosk and parking.
From ME-215 in Jefferson: Take Egypt Road. In 1.25 miles, left to kiosk and parking.

The Maine TrailFinder website and the Maine By Foot website have descriptions and maps of hikes at Stetser Preserve.