Saco Heath In Flower

Saco Heath is the most southerly raised bog in Eastern North America. This 1,233 acre sanctuary, managed by The Nature Conservancy, features a woodland trail leading to a boardwalk which passes through the heath’s varied plant communities. Mid to late spring features a number of heathland plants in bloom, spreading a carpet of color across the landscape. With luck, we will see such plants as rhodora, painted trillium, bunchberry, pink lady’s slipper, highbush blueberry and a host of other plants in bloom. We will also expect to see such typical wetland plants as cranberries, Atlantic white cedar, black spruce, tamarack and the carnivorous pitcher plant. Saco Heath is featured in Tom Wessels’ new book, New England’s Roadside Ecology, which describes 30 of New England’s most unique natural areas. It really is a wonderful place to explore. Bring lunch and a hand lens if you have one. Ages 16 and older.  

About the Presenter

Roland “Boot” Boutwell is a freelance itinerant naturalist who taught the core course in “Native New England Shrubs” and lead field trips for the New England Wild Flower Society for nearly 20 years and was a part time teacher/naturalist for the Massachusetts Audubon Society. He teaches nature programs and leads nature walks for a number of other organizations including: Arlington, MA Community Education; Wright-Locke Farm in Winchester, MA, The Winchester, MA public schools; The Friends of the Middlesex Fells (Greater Boston) and numerous other organizations. His hobbies include photography, acting in community theater, and the guitar.