Land conservation around Somes Pond was started by Sanctuary Founder Virginia Somes Sanderson in 1985 with the donation of 32 acres on the south shore of the pond. Since then, there have been many pieces to the conservation effort that further protect this special place, thanks to the generosity and commitment of landowners, partner organizations, and community members.
Habitat Values and Opportunities Created:
- Habitat protection and habitat block connection – By protecting large, fairly intact (limited development) forested blocks of habitat, the Sanctuary is part of a substantial wildlife corridor, permitting movement of numerous species up and down the west side of Mount Desert Island. Several large vernal pools are located in the Sanctuary offering amphibians (wood frogs, spotted salamanders, spring peepers) needed breeding and rearing habitat. Large maple and oak trees offer bat roosting habitat. The multi-layered forested buffer around the pond and streams helps maintain water quality. Trees, shrubs, and ground cover plants intercept and absorb rainfall, reducing runoff potential and slowing water down so that erosion is much less likely and excess nutrients are kept from entering the waterways. This in turn can reduce the likelihood of creating conditions favorable to an algal bloom, which can have multiple negative consequences.
- Research – The Sanctuary offers ecological study opportunities of our watershed’s forest, aquatic life, vernal pools, and wildlife. Staff, students, and volunteers have contributed to research and inventory projects including aquatic plant diversity, loon studies (of course), water quality, and mosquito and tick abundance and species diversity with the Maine Medical Center Vector Borne Disease Lab.
- Education – There are many possibilities for students of all ages to explore the area, conduct their own investigations, and learn about ecology. The Sanctuary leads education field trips for k-12 students, maintains summer internship opportunities for college students, and provides regular guided nature walks throughout the year for the general public.
- Recreation – the Sanctuary maintains trails on the south shore of Somes Pond between the headquarters building and the Somesville Fire Station; and on the peninsula between Somes Pond and the inlet stream by Oak Hill Rd. The trails offer a place of relative quiet on busy Mt. Desert Island and offer great opportunities to observe wildlife on land and over the water. Vistor’s pet dogs are prohibited from the trails however, in an effort to minimize wildlife disturbance. See our Forest Management Plan for details on how we prioritize various values across the property.