Wells Reserve FAQ

When was the Wells Reserve created?

The Wells Reserve was designated a national estuarine research reserve (NERR) in 1984 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and was dedicated in 1986. It is one of 26 NERR sites throughout the country and the only one in Maine.

What is the role of the Wells Reserve?

The goals of the Wells Reserve are to conduct research on estuaries and coastal watersheds; to convey research findings to coastal decision-makers; to provide natural resource education programs to people of all ages; and to protect and manage the land and habitats within the Reserve boundaries for wildlife and people.

How is the Wells Reserve funded?

The Wells Reserve and other NERR sites are funded by an annual grant from NOAA. This grant requires a State match. The Wells Reserve is the only NERR site that does not receive State matching funds. Rather, a private nonprofit organization, Laudholm Trust, meets the match. To finance programs adequately, Wells Reserve competes for government grants and Laudholm Trust raises funds through its membership base and applies for foundation grants.

How is the Wells Reserve governed?

The Wells Reserve is managed by the Reserve Management Authority (RMA), a legislatively established governing body composed of representatives having a property, management, or financial interest in the Wells Reserve. RMA members include representatives from the Maine Department of Conservation, the Maine State Planning Office, the Town of Wells, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Laudholm Trust. A Governor-appointed scientist also serves on the RMA.

The current (2005) members of the RMA are:

• Susan Rouillard, President, Laudholm Trust (chair)
• Ward Feurt, Refuge Manager, Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
• Thomas Morrison, Maine Department of Conservation
• Daniel Belknap, Ph.D., Geology, University of Maine
• Richard Clark, Selectman, Town of Wells
• Paul Dest, Manager, Wells Reserve (ex-officio)
• Kathleen Leyden, Director, Maine Coastal Program (ex-officio)
• Laurie McGilvray, Chief, Estuarine Reserves Division, NOAA (ex-officio)

Who owns the land?

Title for Wells Reserve lands is held by four government entities: the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Maine Department of Conservation (Bureau of Public Lands), the Town of Wells, and the Reserve Management Authority. The lands encompass approximately 2000 acres of estuarine waters, fresh and saltwater marshes, beaches, forests, and fields--diverse habitats that provide outstanding opportunities for research, education, and recreation. Anchoring the site are historic buildings, including a fully restored 19th-century farmhouse and turn-of-the-century barn. In 2001, the Wells Reserve opened the Maine Coastal Ecology Center.

What is Laudholm Trust?

This membership-based group, formed in 1982 to protect Laudholm Farm, was in large part responsible for the establishment of the Wells Reserve. Laudholm Trust is a private, nonprofit [ 501(c)(3) ] organization dedicated to supporting the Wells Reserve’s facilities and programs. Each year, the Trust contributes private funds to the Reserve for operations and capital improvement projects. Nearly 500 volunteers assist Laudholm Trust and the Wells Reserve in a range of activities and programs, donating more than 15,000 hours annually.