The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

The boardwalk at Saco Heath Preserve is closed for the summer, as Nature Conservancy staff and volunteers work to reconstruct the popular raised hiking trail.

However, the forest trail that leads to the heath remains open to visitors. This 1,223-acre preserve provides access to a peat bog, where they can see several different natural communities, including rhodora that carpets the heath with lavender blooms each spring, and Atlantic white cedar, which supports the rare Hessel’s hairstreak butterfly.

Deering Lumber and Hancock Lumber have donated materials for the reconstruction effort, and volunteers have spent several recent Saturdays on the project. Those interested in volunteering should contact Parker Schuerman of The Nature Conservancy at 798-1022. Saco Hearth Preserve is located off Buxton Road (Route 112) in Saco.

To donate to the boardwalk restoration, please contact The Nature Conservancy in Maine at 729-5181, or send a check made out to The Nature Conservancy with Saco Heath Boardwalk Restoration in the subject line to:

The Nature Conservancy, Maine Field Office
14 Maine Street
Suite 401
Brunswick , ME 04011