Hellen Creek Hemlock Preserve
A bit of the west in the southeast

Why You Should Visit
Hellen Creek Preserve harbors part of an isolated stand of Canadian hemlock, the southernmost forest of this type on the coastal plan of the eastern United States.  Some species of plants and animals found here are more characteristic of the Appalachian forest in western Maryland.

Location
About a 1 1/2  hour drive south from Washington, DC.

Hours
Open year round for nature walks and birdwatching.  There are no facilities, trails, or established parking areas.

How to Get the Most from Your Visit

• Bring plenty of drinking water, sun protection (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses), rain gear, and bug protection. Binoculars, field guides, and a camera may be useful.
• Pets are not allowed on Conservancy preserves or field trips.
• Smoking is not permitted.
• Please do not remove any plants, animals, or rocks.
• Wear socks and comfortable shoes. Wearing light colors will help you spot and remove ticks.

Please help us maintain this unique natural environment by taking home everything that you bring, including biodegradable materials.

For more information, please contact the Cove Point Natural Heritage Trust at www.covepoint-trust.org/home.html.

TICK AND MOSQUITO ALERT
When you get home, plan to drop your clothing directly in the laundry and do a tick check before you shower. Deer ticks, the type that carry lyme disease, are about the size of a pinhead and tend to attach in hair, under ears, underarms, trunk of the body, groin, and backs of the knees. Remove them by gently pulling with tweezers and wipe the skin near the bite with a mild disinfectant. If, within 7-10 days after exposure, you experience a rash (especially an expanding "bull's eye" rash), chills, fever, headache, stiff neck, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes and/or aching joints and muscles, contact your doctor. You can find more information on lyme disease at www.lyme.org or www.aldf.com, or by calling the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at 404-332-4555.

Directions

• From Washington, take Route 4 south to Prince Frederick.  Continue past Prince Frederick about 12 miles to Lusby.  Turn right onto Sollers Road.  Travel approximately 2 miles and then turn left onto Mill Bridge Road.  The preserve is about 1 mile on the right.

What to See: Plants

• climbing fern
• mountain laurel
• Hercules' club
• cardinal flower

What to See: Animals

• dozens of bird species, including pileated woodpeckers, kingfishers, and bald eagles
• deer mouse

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
Primarily for its protection of northern hemlock in the coastal plain.  Hellen Creek is also rich in bird life.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing Here
Since 1957, 67 acres have been protected.