The Scarborough Marsh is the only Inland Fisheries and Wildlife management area in the state with documented New England cottontail use, which is why the department is planning to cut down trees, plant shrubs and work to minimize the spread of invasive plants. The Maine population of the endangered New England cottontail rabbit is estimated to be less than 300, prompting the DIFW’s new project to increase the species’ preferred habitat at the Scarborough Marsh. The young forest habitat will also benefit a number of other species such as yellow warblers, Eastern towhees and the American woodcock.

A three-year project to control the invasive reed Phragmites australis in the Scarborough Marsh has achieved its goal of a 95% eradication rate in the areas treated under the program. The project was a collaboration among the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, the Friends of Scarborough Marsh, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Gulf of Maine Program, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, Ducks Unlimited, and Maine Audubon.  Launched in August 2010, it involved a variety of actions utilizing highly specialized mowing equipment, licensed and trained contractors and application of a specially formulated herbicide that affects only plants.

This month the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, in conjunction with partners Friends of Scarborough Marsh, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Gulf of Maine Program, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, Ducks Unlimited, and Maine Audubon will resume efforts to remove the invasive reed Phragmites australis from certain areas of Scarborough Marsh. 

Who wouldn't like to see a few more cottontail rabbits hopping around Scarborough Marsh? Shrubland habitat along the Eastern Trail recently has been expanded for the endangered animal. Shrubland habitat along the Eastern Trail recently has been expanded for the endangered New England cottontail rabbit.  The state is working along with public, private and nonprofit partners to expand and manage cottontail habitat and to grow their population.

From his perch atop the amphibious vehicle, Colin Avery takes aim at a stand of invasive reeds off Route 1. He sprays an herbicidal solution that represents the first volley in a three-year effort to dramatically reduce the presence of Phragmites australis in the Scarborough Marsh.  Phragmites, with its characteristic large seed head, is so common around the marsh that many people believe it is indigenous. In fact, there are only about three acres of the native variety, which is shorter, grows less thickly and has red coloring and spots on its stems. Phragmites australis grows so densely that it excludes plants that are valuable to wildlife, including the salt hay that forms the base of the food chain.    >>Read More

An intruder is invading and wreaking havoc upon 3,100-acre Scarborough Marsh, the largest salt marsh in Maine. State officials, regional experts and local marsh supporters are now poised to fight back.  watch video (WMTW-Ch8)  The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, in conjunction with partners Friends of Scarborough Marsh, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Gulf of Maine Program, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, Ducks Unlimited, & Maine Audubon will remove an invasive weed called Phragmites australis from certain areas of Scarborough Marsh. The effort is expected to take approximately 3 years to complete.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Gulf of Maine Coastal Program recently announced $35,000 jointly awarded from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and FishAmerica Foundation to help implement two important salt marsh restoration projects in Scarborough Marsh Wildlife Management Area.