This ecologically significant preserve is located on the coast of Perry, a small town in the Downeast region. The 96-acre property lies right beside the entrance to inner Sipp Bay, which is quite narrow due to a peninsula that juts out into the water. Maine Coast Heritage Trust purchased the property in 2010 and 2011 with support from the Open Space Institute’s “Saving New England’s Wildlife Fund” and the Land for Maine’s Future program. The preserve is equipped with a hand-carry boat launch, ready-made picnic sites on the property’s grassy southern peninsula, a gravel beach, and 1.5 miles of hiking trails.
Sipp Bay Preserve is a great spot for wildlife watching and nature study. It is home to waterfowl, white-tailed deer, seals, clams, and even a perch for a pair of Bald Eagles. Its lower section is covered by a wet cedar forest, while its higher altitude areas include red oak and white pine stands. The peninsula, known as the “Gateway” section of the preserve, offers spectacular views of both Sipp Bay and nearby East Bay, and it houses productive intertidal areas that are fantastic for coastal nature study. In addition to this ecological diversity, Sipp Bay was the focus of conservation efforts in part due to the area’s importance to local fisherman, who head to the preserve’s shores to access bountiful shellfish habitats. Protecting this land and its surrounding waters is therefore beneficial to the plants, animals, and economic viability of the area.
Closest Town
Perry
Activities
Birdwatching, Canoeing, Kayaking, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Picnicking, Walking, Wildlife Watching
Region
Downeast Maine – Hancock & Washington
Acreage
Entire Preserve: 92. LMF-supported addition (Sipp Bay Gateway): 16.
Directions
From Perry, head south on US-1 for three miles and then turn left onto Burby Road.
