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Places We Protect

Oldtown Shale Barren

Maryland/DC

Small multi-petal yellow flowers grow out of clefts in a rock face.
Oldtown Shale Barren Shale barrens represent a unique combination of geology, soil, topography, and climate. © Kent Mason

One of Maryland’s best and largest examples of shale barren.

Overview

Description

Not only are most species in shale barrens unusual, but at least twelve species of plants are endemics that are restricted to shale barrens. Oldtown is one of Maryland’s best and largest examples of this nationally-rare community.

Shale barrens represent a unique combination of geology, soil, topography and climate. They are restricted in Maryland to Devonian shale outcrops in the Ridge and Valley physiographic region. They exist only on steep, south-facing slopes, usually where a stream or river has steeply undercut the shale.

The Ridge and Valley region is the driest region in Maryland because it is in the rain shadow of the Appalachian Plateau. Add the southern exposure, the steep slopes that shed rain quickly and the thin soils, and the habitat is like a desert. The plants and animals at Oldtown are the result of their adaptation to such conditions. 

Among the species at Oldtown that are nationally endangered are the plants endemic to this restricted formation, such as evening primrose (Oenothera argillicola), shale ragwort (Senecio antennarifolius) and Kate’s mountain clover (Trifolium virginicum).

The preserve also features state-rare species, including the largest colony in Maryland of the three-flowered melic grass (Melica nitens). These shale barrens are also habitat for five-lined skinks, wood turtles, copperhead snakes, pine and prairie warblers, white-eyed vireos and Carolina wrens.

The Nature Conservancy has protected 16 acres at Oldtown since 1988. Management of this preserve includes maintaining boundary lines and discouraging visitation to the steep, fragile slopes.

This preserve is only open to scientific research with prior permission from TNC. Even a few visitors can cause damage to the plants and animals that live here. Thank you for understanding and help in protecting this important part of Maryland’s natural heritage.

Access

CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC

This preserve is not open to the public.

Location

Allegany County, MD

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A NOTE ON HUNTING: Several TNC nature preserves in Maryland include hunting leases for deer management. Visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to find information on hunting season, licenses and access to public lands. When visiting a TNC nature preserve during hunting season, please wear blaze orange and try to avoid visiting in the early morning or evening hours when hunting is most active. For additional guidelines on how you can hike safely during the hunting season, visit the American Hiking Society.

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Find More Places We Protect

The Nature Conservancy owns nearly 1,500 preserves covering more than 2.5 million acres across all 50 states. These lands protect wildlife and natural systems, serve as living laboratories for innovative science and connect people to the natural world.

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