Take a Guided Walk of a Unique Ecosystem!
Protected Landscapes of Southern Maine:
Kennebunk Plains and Wells Barrens
Thursday, August 25
6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
One-mile walk + Free of charge
Parking area at the Kennebunk Plains, north side of Route 99
The walk will be led by:
- Paul Dest, local Conservationist and Naturalist
- Jon Bailey, Land Manager/Burn Boss for The Nature Conservancy in Maine
- Sean Campbell, a Wildlife Biologist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
To register and for more information:
Call: 207-251-9851
Participants will learn about the 30-plus-year effort to protect this large nature preserve and Wildlife Management Area, and its geology, plants, and animals. They will also find out about the role carefully controlled fire -- also know as prescribed fire -- plays in maintaining this rare ecosystem.
The Kennebunk Plains and Wells Barrens encompasses about 3,000 protected acres and was the first funded project under the Land for Maine’s Future Program. The property includes the state’s largest sandplain grassland, pitch pine/shrub oak forests and red maple alluvial swamp forests – habitats that are rare in Northern New England. The area is home to rare animal species such as the Grasshopper Sparrow and Northern Black Racer Snake, and unusual plants, such as the globally rare Northern Blazing Star, which blooms in August. It is also the source for vast amounts of the public drinking water for the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Wells Water District (KKWWD).
The Kennebunk Plains/Wells Barrens are owned and managed by three entities: TNC, ME IF&W, and KKWWD.
This is one of a series of walks introducing residents and visitors to some of the protected landscapes of southern Maine.
