EDGAR M. TENNIS PRESERVE, DEER ISLE
Old farmland and wooded trails along the coast. This property is owned by the State of Maine and managed by Island Heritage Trust.
ACTIVITIES TO ENJOY AT EDGAR M. TENNIS
- Hiking
- Bird Watching
- Visit the Historic Davis Farm
- Views of Pickering Cove
3.4 MILE TRAIL SYSTEM
Traditional Rating: MODERATE
Accessibility Rating: HARD
EXPLORE THE PRESERVE:
Enjoy the Davis Farm and trails on the west side of the preserve and the Pickering Farm and trails on the east side of the preserve. The trail along the shore passes by a small pocket beach with views of the ocean and islands surrounding the preserve.
PLEASE FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES:
- Day Use Only – no camping or overnight parking
- No Fires allowed
- Foot Traffic Only
- Please stay on trails — soils are shallow, fragile.
- Please do not remove any rocks or plants
- Take nothing but photographs
DIRECTIONS TO THE PRESERVE
Driving south past Deer Isle village on ME-15, turn left on Sunshine Road (across from Mill Pond Irving). Follow Sunshine Road for 2.5 miles, then turn right on Tennis Road. Follow this road to its end, following the signs so as not to go down a private drive. There is limited parking in four small parking areas located on both sides of the road as you enter the preserve. To protect fragile fauna, please park only in these designated areas off the roadway.
GET TO KNOW THE FLORA & FAUNA
With Ecologist, Dr. Ken Crowell, & Naturalist, Marnie Reed Crowell:
“The variety of habitats at different stages of plant succession, the grand trees, and especially in
winter, the offshore rafts of eider ducks seen here make this preserve a favorite of many.
The variety of habitats here at Tennis Preserve offers many choices for animals. This is a good
place to learn to tell the difference between the ragged cut that deer make pulling off a nibble
because they lack upper incisors and the clean cut that snowshoe hares make when they
browse bushes and shrubs.
The coves at Tennis Preserve are a prime spot to watch winter rafts of Common Eider ducks
and listen to the strange courting noises they make. They sound like African wildebeests.
Wintering here at the southern edge of their breeding range, these large flocks are one of the
wildlife wonders of the world.”
Check Out the FULL Virtual Guided Walk through Edgar M. Tennis Preserve
STORY OF PUBLIC ACCESS
The Edgar M. Tennis Preserve was established through the generosity and vision of Dr. Edgar M. Tennis and his family. It was his wish that the land and shore that he loved be made available to the public, that its natural beauty be preserved, and that it remain Forever Wild. In 1972, he gave approximately 100 acres to the State of Maine to be used for walking trails, education, and research. An additional 15 acres was given to the State by his daughter. In 1996, she gave approximately 30 more acres to the Preserve. Both of these additions are protected by conservation easements held by the Island Heritage Trust.
HISTORY
Archeological evidence finds that Wabanaki indigenous people camped along these shores for up to 3,000 years, most likely they spent their winters on these shores. The strong tidal currents and fertile sea provided an abundance of fish and shellfish for the Indians to harvest.
In more recent times, deeds from the 1790’s show this land was claimed by Elijah Toothacher – some of his descendants are buried in the cemetery – and later, the Pickering and Davis families farmed here. Around 1914, the artist Chase Emerson, for whom the Deer Isle library is named, purchased the farmhouse on the shore. Finally, the Tennis family purchased the property in 1944.
Evidence of the people who lived here in the past is still visible today. The forest changes across different parts of the preserve, reflecting the use of the land by its past inhabitants.