Riverbrook Preserve
This nearly 400-acre parcel of land provides one of the largest undivided habitat blocks in the area. Numerous wildlife species rely on large habitat blocks to survive and thrive.
The Story of the Land
Riverbrook Preserve is open to the public year-round for low-impact recreation. Hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing are all encouraged, and hunting is also permitted with permission.
The 371-acre Riverbrook Preserve was purchased in 2014 thanks to a generous contribution from an anonymous donor who recognized the importance of this historic farm for wildlife habitat and connectivity within the watershed. Since the gift stipulated that the house and associated buildings could be sold, a 25-acre homestead was created and protected by a conservation easement before sale, ensuring that the entire parcel would be protected from future development.
What You Might See
The Riverbrook Preserve is situated on the bank of the Medomak River, and includes over a mile of freshwater river frontage. About 40 acres of fields are located on the eastern portion of the property. These fields are leased to a local farmer, and typically planted in a rotation of hay, corn, beans, and squash. Much of the property was cut over within the past few decades, and an old logging road still crosses the preserve.
The preserve contains a deer wintering area and provides excellent habitat for a number of forest species. Deer winter in an area that is marked by heavy tree cover to protect the deer from deep snows. Rare species of plants are found in the many wetlands and along the river edge. There is an old mill site and signs of beaver life on Meadow Brook.
Parts of the River Loop trail can be very muddy in the spring, but you can walk along the river and return along the same path. In order to maintain the ecological integrity of this preserve, the use of wheeled or motorized vehicles is limited to snowmobiles on the designated trail.
Directions:
Riverbrook Preserve
3540 Washington Road
Waldoboro, ME 04572
From Waldoboro: Take Route 1 North, follow Route 220 north, past Old Augusta Road. The preserve is located ¾ of a mile from the intersection of Old Augusta Road and Route 220, on the left just after the bridge over river.
From Union: Take Route 17 East, follow Route 220 south, past Morse’s Sauerkraut. The preserve is located approximately one mile from Morse’s, on the right.
