A ribbon reducing on the hen path at Fuller Farm Preserve took place Nov. 3, Pictured from left are, Tom Nolan and Samantha Wolf. Courtesy picture/ Andrew Mackie
Scarborough Land Trust held a ribbon reducing celebrating for the fruits of the challenge to enhance the Fuller Farm Preserve’s hen path on Nov. 3, on the protect’s car parking zone. The ceremony included remarks from Andrew J. Mackie, govt director of the Scarborough Land Trust and Tom Nolan, and a guided walk of the path led by Nolan. Fuller Farm Preserve is managed by the SLT and has undergone important enhancements geared toward making its hen path extra accessible to the general public.
“Fuller Farm Preserve is one of the most cherished properties under the Scarborough Land Trust’s care,” Mackie stated. “It’s an area of great ecological diversity, featuring 226 acres of hayfields, mature forests, wetlands, and riparian zones along the Nonesuch River.”
The acquisition of the lands has been made attainable via varied funding sources, together with individual donors from the group, the Land for Maine’s Future program, the Town of Scarborough Land Bond, Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program, and help from Bass Pro and Cabela’s.
The hen path inside Fuller Farm Preserve has lengthy been a favourite amongst nature fanatics and birdwatchers, Mackie stated. “This trail traverses forested habitats and river terrain, offering visitors a chance to observe a variety of birds throughout the year,” he stated. Some of the nesting birds within the spring and summer season embrace Ovenbird, Wood Thrush, Scarlet Tanager, Baltimore Oriole, and Common Yellowthroat.
The path enchancment challenge was initiated to make the hen path extra accessible to a wider vary of tourists, Mackie stated. “We wanted to enhance the aging infrastructure, particularly the bog bridges, to accommodate individuals with balance or walking issues, older visitors, families with young children, and school groups.”
Rather than merely changing the bathroom bridges, Mackie stated, SLT designed a brand new boardwalk development methodology utilizing galvanized pipe, which not solely offers a steady platform for guests but in addition avoids the usage of pressure-treated lumber, eliminating potential chemical leaching into the setting.
Regarding the challenge’s challenges, Mackie stated that they needed to overcome the engineering and logistical facets of introducing the brand new boardwalk development methodology. “The use of galvanized pipe instead of pressure-treated lumber not only increases durability but also minimizes environmental impact,” he stated.
This two-year effort was made attainable via the dedication of a number of people and organizations. Funders for the challenge included non-public people from the group, Piper Shores, American Trails, and the Bronco Wild Fund. Tom Nolan, an SLT board member and volunteer, served because the challenge supervisor, with help from Samantha Wolf, the stewardship director of SLT, and a number of other different volunteers who contributed their time over the course of the challenge.
“We aim to inform the community about the improved trail and our ongoing efforts to provide additional access to nature,” Mackie stated. “In the future, we hope to expand Fuller Farm Preserve and establish a trail connection to our Broardturn Farm property,” in addition to a path challenge at Warren Woods Preserve “SLT currently has two parcels under contract and is actively raising funds for these acquisitions,” Mackie stated. “Volunteers with carpentry skills are welcome to participate in a trail project at our Warren Woods Preserve.”
For extra details about Fuller Farm Preserve and the Scarborough Land Trust’s tasks, name SLT at 207-289-1199 or contact Stewardship Director Samantha Wolf, at [email protected]
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