Smooth Hummocks

Embark on a journey through Smooth Hummocks, a landscape unlike any other on Nantucket. Here, you will discover the island’s own version of the Midwest’s vast prairies, a unique ecosystem born from ancient history. Imagine walking across terrain that was once a wide ridge of sand and gravel, shaped by glacial meltwater flowing towards a distant ocean. This guided two-hour exploration takes you through a relatively flat coastal plain that now flourishes as a rare sandplain grassland. As you traverse the trails, you will be surrounded by a delicate tapestry of rare wildflowers and hardy grasses, all thriving in the sandy, nutrient-poor soil. This is a chance to connect with the raw, elemental beauty of Nantucket’s geological past and its vibrant present. The Smooth Hummocks area is more than just a beautiful walk; it is a globally significant habitat. These sandplain grasslands represent one of the rarest ecosystems on the planet, with fewer than 2,000 acres remaining worldwide. This protected sanctuary provides critical nesting grounds for the elusive short-eared owl and serves as a living laboratory for botanists and entomologists. Managed by the Nantucket Islands Land Bank, the area is a center for plant research and conservation. Exploring this fascinating island ecosystem offers a profound opportunity to understand the intricate connections within nature and witness a landscape that has countless stories to teach us.