The Wells Reserve is one of 29 National Estuarine Research Reserves across the country, with a 30^th Reserve in Connecticut on the horizon. Each Reserve protects estuary habitat and has a vibrant education, research, and stewardship program. Nationwide, this results in a more informed community of learners, a greater knowledge base, and widespread conservation. The Reserves do amazing work!

I oversee the education happenings at the Wells Reserve, and at the end of each calendar year, put on my math hat and delve into our program and visitation statistics. My colleagues at the other 28 Reserves do this too, and so collectively we can see how many people are touched by our work. We have quite an impact! This 2019 education program infographic, hot off the presses for Earth Day week, gives you a sense of this.

For now, COVID-19 has our educational programming on hiatus through at least May 15 (except for Virtual Yoga), but we are still busy behind the scenes! Interpretive trail signs are being refreshed, Discovery Program booklets reprinted, docents trained through weekly virtual meetings, kayak supplies ordered, and more. We are looking forward to connecting again with you—our devoted community of learners—soon, through our hundreds of programs offered throughout the year.

Until then, enjoy the Reserve’s seven miles of trails while social distancing. Be sure to check out the At One: In a Place Called Maine story walk on the Pilger Trail! It’s on loan from MaineHealth’s Let’s Go! program and we’ve just been granted an extension through May. And, when our shelter-in-place order lifts and we can all safely travel greater distances again, perhaps you’ll decide to visit one or two of the other Reserves in our National Estuarine Research Reserve family.