This 45-acre preserve off Vinalhaven covers about two-thirds of Lane's Island, a small island connected to Vinalhaven by a causeway. The island is relatively low-lying with rolling topography and is covered in old fields and coastal shrub lands that are dominated by salt tolerant plants. Rustic trails crisscross the preserve and make walking over the entire property easy. The preserve also features ragged and rocky shorelines and cobble beaches where the surf can reach impressive heights on windy days.
Bayberry, meadowsweet, raspberry, speckled alder and low-bush blueberry are common on the moors, with an occasional white spruce. Along the coastline, goldenrods, asters, blue flag iris, beach pea and jewelweed dominate. Seaducks such as common eiders and shorebirds abound and Atlantic puffins have occasionally been sighted from Lane's Island.
From 4,000 B.C. to colonial times, the island was home to Native American villages and is named for Captain Timothy Lane, whose house on the island is not part of the preserve. For the past ten years, the Town of Vinalhaven has helped the Conservancy with preserve management.
Please adhere to the following policies while using the preserve:
Visit The Nature Conservancy online for more information or contact:
The preserve is about a ten minute walk from downtown Vinalhaven. Take the Maine State Ferry from Rockland to Vinalhaven. Lane's Island will be on your right as the ferry approaches the landing. Once on land in Vinalhaven, bear right and go through town to the last business block on Main Street. Turn right at the fountain, past Ambrust Hill and over the Indian Creek Causeway. Turn left on the dirt road by The Nature Conservancy sign or park beyond the sign.
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