The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Common terns (Sterna hirundo) © The Nature Conservancy

Open to the Public

Yes

Things To Do

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Plan Your Visit

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Get Directions

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 shrublands that are dominated by salt tolerant plants. The preserve also features ragged and rocky shorelines and cobble beaches where the surf can reach impressive heights on windy days.

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.

Location
Vinalhaven, Maine

Size
45 acres

Hours
Dawn to Dusk

Conditions
Rustic trails crisscross the preserve and make walking over the entire property easy.

Preserve Guidelines
To learn more about the logic behind these rules, please read our complete list of preserve use policies.

• Foot traffic only
• Please stay on the trails and respect areas marked as private
• No collecting of plants or animals
• Pets are allowed on leash only – please pick up after your animal
• Carry out all litter
• No fires, smoking or camping

What You’ll See
Bayberry, meadowsweet, raspberry, speckled alder and lowbush 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.

Things To Do

Plan Your Visit

Download a full-size map of Lane's Island (.pdf, 368KB)

Directions

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 The Nature Conservancy sign or park beyond the sign.

Discussion

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Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

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