Sandplain Grasslands Network Steering Committee members visited three preserves of The Nature Conservancy in southeastern Maine that are managed for their heathland and grassland habitat.

Robert Wernerehl and Kelly Omand examine a small and inconspicuous shaved sedge (Carex tonsa) mixed in with other sedges in the open areas of the Kennebunk Plains Preserve.

Saco Heath Preserve is a 1,218-acre property that protects a combination of wooded and open peatland. Much of the property contains and overstory of pitch pine (Pinus rigida) growing in periodically wet soils. The shrub layer over large areas is dominated by leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata) and Laborador tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum). The preserve also protects one of the northernmost populations of Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides).

The interesting pitch pine and leatherleaf habitat in the Saco Heath Preserve.

The Wells Barrens and Kennebunk Plains Preserves and surrounding conservation land combined protect several thousand acres of sandplain grassland, pitch pine heath barrens, and scrub oak barrens on sandy outwash deposits. Some of the current grasslands were former commercial lowbush blueberry farms.

Results of recent prescribed fire that is used to maintain grasslands habitat at in the Wells Barrens.

TNC’s Southern Preserves Manager Jon Bailey gave the group a tour of the Wells Barrens and Kennebunk Preserves and an overview of the fire management plans for both areas.

The Nature Conservancy’s Southern Maine Preserves Manager Jon Bailey shoes Sandplain Grassland Network members the results of recent prescribed fire in former blueberry farms at the Wells Barrens Preserve.

The Plains supports the world’s largest population of New England blazing star (Liatris novae-angliae), which were evident across large areas but not yet in bloom.