Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve

The Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve is a coastal area in Maine that combines salt marshes, tidal rivers, and estuaries across hundreds of acres. Walking trails wind through different habitats, and laboratory spaces provide rooms for hands-on learning about local waters and wildlife.

The site was formally established as a research reserve in 1984, marking a turning point for coastal conservation in the region. What was once farmland along the Maine shore transformed into a dedicated center for studying how coastal ecosystems respond to environmental change.

The reserve sits at the heart of coastal education efforts, where visitors see how communities value understanding their local ecosystems. The site reflects how people have shifted from simply using these lands to actively protecting them.

Bring sturdy walking shoes and check tide schedules before visiting, as some paths become wet or impassable at high tide. Your visit will be more rewarding at low tide when you can see more exposed land and mud flats.

The reserve maintains decades of continuous monitoring data on water quality and nutrient cycles in the Gulf of Maine, creating a scientific record that reveals patterns important far beyond its borders. This long-term observation network turns the site into a living archive of how coastal ecosystems shift over time.

Location: Wells

Location: York County

Inception: 1984

Website: http://wellsreserve.org

GPS coordinates: 43.33870,-70.55370

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:01