The Wrack

I just wanted to let you know that the Wells Reserve came through the storm in good shape, despite wind gusts (according to Jeremy Miller and the SWMP weather station) of up to 58 MPH Monday evening. We were without power beginning at around 8 pm, but regained it around 11 am today.

We lost about 20 shingles on the Laudholm barn and several on the Sheep Barn, but that is it. A dozen or more trees (most small, several large) had fallen across the trails, with one threatening the public entrance. John Speight and volunteer Frank Heller cleared the tree alongside the entrance road and many of those along the trails; they had the gates open by late morning. The Internet was on and the phones working (with some minor glitches) by noon.

On Thursday, the Reserve's education staff hosted eight teachers from Kennebunk's Cocoons Day School for a full day workshop. The group enjoyed a beautiful October day while exploring the Discovery Program's booklets and backpacks on the trails, experiencing the "Time Travels" treasure hunt on campus, and investigating the intertidal zone at Laudholm Beach.

Teachers also learned about the Reserve's grades K-2 Wild Friend in Wild Places field trip offering, as well as the education kit rentals that provide hands-on classroom learning about trees, estuaries, birds, and mammals. At the end of the day, Paige led the group on a history tour through the barn and farmhouse, sharing the Changing Landscapes exhibits along the way.

Much fun was had by all, and the Reserve is looking forward to seeing Cocoons Day School teachers back on site with their students very soon!

WELLS, Maine, October 29, 2012  The Town of Wells has begun a two-year study to understand and prepare for the potential impacts of climate change. Wells public officials and local residents, with help from researchers from the Consensus Building Institute (CBI), the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS), will be using short games played face-to-face in community meetings to clarify possible climate change risks and to reach agreement on appropriate adaptation measures.

In mid October, after the hectic field season ends and with September's major events a fading memory, many of us start to anticipate the allstaff email from Tin and Jeremy announcing a date for the annual Reserve Cup. A week and a half ago they picked today for our early escape from the office. It's hard to imagine they could have chosen a more gorgeous autumn afternoon for the pilgrimage.

It was a perfect day for mushrooming, foggy and damp, as Dr. Larry Millman led us slowly down the trail. Said one participant: "The walk was a revelation."

 

Its that time of year& fall is in the air and (if youre a brook trout) love is in the air too! October and November is prime spawning time for Eastern Brook Trout. Theyve been fattening up all summer on aquatic insects. Now the mature females have bellies full of eggs and are looking for a spots with cold, clear water and loose, clean gravel where they can make their nests, called redds.

WELLS, Maine, October 1, 2012  The Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve and Laudholm Trust have honored the late Dr. Michele Dionne, the reserves lead scientist and long-time research director, by placing her name on the research laboratory of the Maine Coastal Ecology Center at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm. The announcement was made by Laudholm Trustee Cynthia Daley and Reserve Director Paul Dest at a memorial service held at the reserve on September 23.

He was in Mather Auditorium to talk about Maine's pioneering amateur botanist, Catherine Furbish, but Dick Eaton hadn't even begun his remarks before Nancy Viehmann snuck into the room with a surprise cake. Dick was humbled by the public recognition of his 89th birthday, but quickly recovered. "I can't tell you how happy I am to be able to present to you today."

On Sunday morning, close to 150 friends, family, and colleagues of the late Michele Dionne gathered at the Maine Coastal Ecology Center to remember her life and to celebrate her influence on people, policy, conservation, and estuarine research. Wethe Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve and Laudholm Trusttook the opportunity to honor this remarkable woman by renaming her home away from home the "Michele Dio…

The 10th annual Punkinfiddle festival and National Estuaries Day celebration went wonderfully from all reports we've received and if you were there we hope you had a great time, too (either way, let us know by commenting below).

Thanks once again to the Punkinfiddle committee, our fabulous volunteers, everyone who participated, and our generous sponsors  Maine magazine, Sevigney Lyons Insurance Agency, Pratt & Whitney, Kittery Trading Post, The Bank of Maine, Captain Lord Mansion, Purdy Powers & Company, Bergen & Parkinson, LLC, and Roger A. Auger & Associates / Ameriprise Financial.

Here are 18 photos that capture many of the happenings of the day&