The Nature Conservancy in Maine

How You Can Help

By joining the Conservancy today, you will be welcomed into a family of dedicated individuals committed to saving the last great places on Earth.

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

Lane's Island Fast Facts

Location: Vinalhaven, Maine

Size: 45 acres

Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Common terns (Sterna hirundo) © TNC

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.

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.

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

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 TNC sign or park beyond the sign.