HAWTHORNE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Hawthorne Wildlife Sanctuary was the last undeveloped property in the Jimmy’s Pond ecosystem. Its purchase in 2010 completed over 17-acres of continuous open space spanning between Conwell Street and Howland Street along Route 6. This property features a dense forest of pitch pine and scrub oak, rising into a steep open dune, overlooking freshwater wetlands that lead to Jimmy’s Pond to the northeast. The property also abuts a PCT property on Aunt Sukey’s Way that hosts a state-certified vernal pool ( ).

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The property provides an essential upland forest buffer for the pool. The state has identified habitat on the property for five rare species, including, Eastern Spadefoot Toad, Eastern Box Turtle, and Broom Crowberry.

Plans are underway to make portions of the trail more accessible and are expected to be completed in the next few years.

Photo Credit: Vladimir Schuster