Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve
Encyclopedia
Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve, located in Wells
, Maine
, USA, is 2250 acres (9.1 km²) of protected land headquartered at a restored saltwater farm called Laudholm. As a National Estuarine Research Reserve
, the Wells Reserve works to expand knowledge of coasts and estuaries, engage people in environmental learning, and involve communities in conservation, all with a goal of protecting and restoring coastal ecosystem
s around the Gulf of Maine
. Wells Reserve funding is largely through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
and the nonprofit Laudholm Trust.
, and sand beach. Some research areas are closed to public access. The managed lands include three estuaries: the Webhannet River estuary, the Little River estuary (fed by the Merriland River and Branch Brook watersheds), and the Ogunquit River estuary. The uplands include one of southern Maine's largest managed grasslands. Also on the uplands are several conserved farm buildings, dating mostly to the 19th century, which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
The main farmhouse holds a Visitor Center with exhibits (open weekdays - and weekends from Memorial Day
through Columbus Day
) and staff offices. The horse barn is used for special events, education activities, and storage. The cow barn holds an auditorium and library.
The modern Maine Coastal Ecology Center, which opened in 2001, includes a research laboratory, teaching laboratory, exhibits, and offices.
The Alheim Commons, on an adjacent part of the Wells Reserve property, provides dormitory facilities for scientists, educators, and land managers working at the reserve or with its partners.
Staff scientists also continually monitor trends in weather, water quality, nutrients, and plant and animal communities, contributing to a national effort that promotes effective coastal zone management.
The nationally recognized Coastal Training Program provides resource managers, regulators, politicians, and other decision-makers with information on sound coastal management, as well as opportunities to collaborate on watershed initiatives.
The Wells Reserve also involves communities in conservation by providing mapping services, technical assistance, training programs, and conservation data useful for the protection and care of land and water resources.
/Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
(1,428 acres), Town of Wells (249 acres), and Wells Reserve Management Authority (40 acres).
The Wells Reserve site, farmed for well over three centuries, holds a prominent place in the town’s history. The Laudholm Farm campus reflects New England’s progressive farming era. By the 1970s, farming had ceased to be viable, but the effort to permanently protect Laudholm stimulated the establishment of Maine’s only National Estuarine Research Reserve
. Laudholm Farm’s buildings were restored and renovated to respect a treasured heritage while creating a platform for Wells Reserve research, education, and stewardship programs.
Wells, Maine
Wells is a town in York County, Maine, United States. Founded in 1643, it is the third-oldest town in Maine. The population was 9,400 at the 2000 census. Wells Beach is a popular summer destination.-History:...
, Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
, USA, is 2250 acres (9.1 km²) of protected land headquartered at a restored saltwater farm called Laudholm. As a National Estuarine Research Reserve
National Estuarine Research Reserve
The National Estuarine Research Reserve System is a program of the United States government. The program establishes federal-state partnerships under the Coastal Zone Management Act to create a system of estuarine research reserves representative of the various regions and estuarine types in the...
, the Wells Reserve works to expand knowledge of coasts and estuaries, engage people in environmental learning, and involve communities in conservation, all with a goal of protecting and restoring coastal ecosystem
Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a biological environment consisting of all the organisms living in a particular area, as well as all the nonliving , physical components of the environment with which the organisms interact, such as air, soil, water and sunlight....
s around the Gulf of Maine
Gulf of Maine
The Gulf of Maine is a large gulf of the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast of North America.It is delineated by Cape Cod at the eastern tip of Massachusetts in the southwest and Cape Sable at the southern tip of Nova Scotia in the northeast. It includes the entire coastlines of the U.S...
. Wells Reserve funding is largely through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , pronounced , like "noah", is a scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere...
and the nonprofit Laudholm Trust.
Site
The Wells Reserve at Laudholm is open to the public every day from 7 am to sunset. Seven miles of trails cross woodlands, wetlands, grasslands, salt marshSalt marsh
A salt marsh is an environment in the upper coastal intertidal zone between land and salt water or brackish water, it is dominated by dense stands of halophytic plants such as herbs, grasses, or low shrubs. These plants are terrestrial in origin and are essential to the stability of the salt marsh...
, and sand beach. Some research areas are closed to public access. The managed lands include three estuaries: the Webhannet River estuary, the Little River estuary (fed by the Merriland River and Branch Brook watersheds), and the Ogunquit River estuary. The uplands include one of southern Maine's largest managed grasslands. Also on the uplands are several conserved farm buildings, dating mostly to the 19th century, which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Facilities
The historic buildings of Laudholm Farm are used by the Wells Reserve for several purposes.The main farmhouse holds a Visitor Center with exhibits (open weekdays - and weekends from Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
through Columbus Day
Columbus Day
Many countries in the New World and elsewhere celebrate the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas, which occurred on October 12, 1492, as an official holiday...
) and staff offices. The horse barn is used for special events, education activities, and storage. The cow barn holds an auditorium and library.
The modern Maine Coastal Ecology Center, which opened in 2001, includes a research laboratory, teaching laboratory, exhibits, and offices.
The Alheim Commons, on an adjacent part of the Wells Reserve property, provides dormitory facilities for scientists, educators, and land managers working at the reserve or with its partners.
Research and Monitoring
Since the 1980s, the Wells Reserve research program has been expanding knowledge of coasts and estuaries with an emphasis on ensuring healthy salt marsh ecosystems. Some key areas of research include:- fish distribution and growth
- salt marsh restoration
- coastal watershed land use
- invasive species
- biological productivity in estuaries
- patterns in plant communities
- avian productivity and survivorship
- Lyme disease ecology
Staff scientists also continually monitor trends in weather, water quality, nutrients, and plant and animal communities, contributing to a national effort that promotes effective coastal zone management.
Education and Training
Wells Reserve educators engage people in environmental learning, both on-site and in local communities. Each year, more than 3,000 children and adults participate in a variety of educational programs at the site, which serves as a living laboratory. The Wells Reserve also maintains indoor facilities to enrich teaching opportunities. Formal educational offerings include:- school field trips
- teacher trainings
- guided tours and programs
- lectures and workshops
- curriculum kit rentals
- activity backpacks and trail guides
- summer day camps
The nationally recognized Coastal Training Program provides resource managers, regulators, politicians, and other decision-makers with information on sound coastal management, as well as opportunities to collaborate on watershed initiatives.
Conservation and Stewardship
Wells Reserve resource specialists manage about 500 acres (2 km²) representing many habitats that support an impressive flora and fauna. Acting as a model site for stewardship, methods of active management employed at the Wells Reserve include:- controlling invasive plant species
- maintaining and creating shrublands as wildlife habitat
- protecting rare plants and endangered animals
- maintaining fields for grassland nesting birds
- managing an over-abundant deer population
The Wells Reserve also involves communities in conservation by providing mapping services, technical assistance, training programs, and conservation data useful for the protection and care of land and water resources.
Protection and Preservation
The protected lands comprising the Wells Reserve are entirely within the Town of Wells, Maine. These conservation lands are owned by the Maine Department of Conservation (533 acres), United States Fish and Wildlife ServiceUnited States Fish and Wildlife Service
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is a federal government agency within the United States Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats...
/Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
National Wildlife Refuge
National Wildlife Refuge is a designation for certain protected areas of the United States managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Wildlife Refuge System is the world's premiere system of public lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife and plants...
(1,428 acres), Town of Wells (249 acres), and Wells Reserve Management Authority (40 acres).
The Wells Reserve site, farmed for well over three centuries, holds a prominent place in the town’s history. The Laudholm Farm campus reflects New England’s progressive farming era. By the 1970s, farming had ceased to be viable, but the effort to permanently protect Laudholm stimulated the establishment of Maine’s only National Estuarine Research Reserve
National Estuarine Research Reserve
The National Estuarine Research Reserve System is a program of the United States government. The program establishes federal-state partnerships under the Coastal Zone Management Act to create a system of estuarine research reserves representative of the various regions and estuarine types in the...
. Laudholm Farm’s buildings were restored and renovated to respect a treasured heritage while creating a platform for Wells Reserve research, education, and stewardship programs.
External links
- Laudholm Trust - A nonprofit organization that supports the Wells Reserve through monetary and in-kind donations
- Wells Reserve - A quasigovernmental organization with a research, education, and stewardship mission