Sugar Island Preserve

This preserve of approximately 8.1 hectares (20 acres) was donated to the Nature Trust in 1996 by the H.M. Dignam Corporation of Prince Edward Island. The flood plain islands (Sugar and the adjacent islands) have an unusual flood plain- and prairie-type flora. The gravel strands, which are flooded annually, are effectively in a state of perpetual early succession. Rare plants occurring on the strands of these islands include Brunet's milk-vetch (Astragalus alpinus var. brunetianus), beard grass (Schizachyrium scoparium), Lake Huron tansy (Tanacetum huronense), and tall dropseed (Sporoblus asper). While the area above the gravel strand acquired by the Trust has been used for grazing and does not have the variety of plants present at the western end of Shores island, the Trust may reintroduce some of these special plants to the preserve.