For the past few years, the staff at the Wells Reserve and Laudholm Trust have taken a springtime day trip to places with missions similar to our own. It's great to get out together to see how others meet challenges big and small. Yesterday's focus was on the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in New Hampshire. Our two Reserves are constantly collaborating, but this was a good chance to broaden and deepen the relationship.

Many of us started the day in Newmarket, where we got a great look at the Lamprey River fish ladder. NH Fish and Game biologists explained their work and "talked fish" as they helped thousands of alewives move past the dam.

After helping (or watching) at the fish ladder, where about 4,400 alewives were caught, carried, and released in an hour, we headed to the Discovery Center at Great Bay. Education Coordinator Kelle Laughlin showed us around the facility as a visiting school group enjoyed their indoor/outdoor experience, then Coastal Training Program Coordinator Rachel Stevens led us to a conserved property on the west side of the bay. They and Great Bay NERR Manager Peter Wellenberger shared a wealth of information as we enjoyed some time afield.