Quigg Island Community Forest

Town: Liberty
Acres: 40
Miles of trail: 1
Activities: Paddling, hiking, birding, fishing

The Quigg Island Community Forest preserve is a 40-acre parcel on the northern section of an idyllic island hideaway on Stevens Pond.

The Land Trust will follow in the legacy of the Robbins brothers, of Robbins Lumber, who thoughtfully managed this forest for the last 50 years for a healthy stand of white pine and hemlock. Its forest is carpeted with mosses, ferns and mushrooms. Their sustainable timber management also protected healthy wildlife habitat. Shallow waters and wetlands surrounding the island provide habitat for sensitive birds like herons, egrets, and bald eagles.

The island, entirely wooded, is helping to mitigate climate change. Hemlock is a slow-growing species that can live for hundreds of years. The forest provides significant ecological value, supporting microbial communities, absorbing water, and sequestering carbon to name a few.

This 5-minute video will introduce you to the island and its history.

Public Access

The northern end of Quigg Island is a perfect destination for outdoor exploring. Access to GRLT’s parcel of Quigg Island is available only by boat. Boaters can use the public boat launch on Rt. 173 to put in. An easy paddle, the landing on Quigg Island is directly across, on the west side of the northern tip of the island. A 1-mile trail leads to spectacular lookouts with views across Stevens Pond.

Download a printable map.

Directions to the Property

The Stevens Pond public boat launch is on Route 173 (Woodmans Mill Road/Stevens Pond Road) in Liberty. From the center of Searsmont (Fraternity Village Store), head west on Route 173. Travel 9 miles to the boat launch parking lot on the left (see map).