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The Wrack

The Wrack is the Wells Reserve blog.

Why "The Wrack"? In its cycles of ebb and flow, the sea transports a melange of weed, shell, bone, feather, wood, rope, and trash from place to place, then deposits it at the furthest reach of spent surf. This former flotsam is full of interesting stuff for anybody who cares to kneel and take a look. Now and then, the line of wrack reveals a treasure.

  • Bird Quiz #2: September uncertainty

    | July 29, 2010

    On September 17, 2009, this bird was caught in a mist net at the Wells Reserve and brought to the banding station under the copper beech. June Ficker, our highly knowledgeable and experienced bird bander, wanted photo documentation of this individual to share with other experts. Was she overly cautious or onto something? How would you identify this bird?

  • TOTE teachers begin week of training

    | July 26, 2010

    Teachers on the farmhouse porchThe thirteen educators who are participating in the Teachers on the Estuary program arrived this afternoon. In between introductions and their first workshops, they came to the farmhouse porch for a brief social.

  • Salmon Falls River conservation boat tours

    | July 26, 2010

    Tin Smith speaks at sunset29 people representing 13 towns and organization participated in three boat trips on the Salmon Falls and Piscataqua Rivers in July and August. The trips coincided with the release of the new Land Conservation Plan for Maine's Piscataqua Region Watersheds that covers 18 communities in southern Maine. The narrated tours brought together key municipal officials and conservation leaders to learn about the plan, its goals, and the river's status and history.

    Land use changes, particularly the loss of vegetation along the water edges (associated with residential development), are having a significant impact on water quality. The Land Conservation Plan outlines actions that towns and citizens can take to maintain the natural, recreational, and economic resources that this watershed, draining 1058 square miles, provides.

  • Partners' reception

    | July 23, 2010

    Kristen Hellewell enhances the ambienceDr. Michele Dionne talks with Walter LefflerThursday was a beautiful evening for the annual Partners' Reception, a bright and lightly breezy opportunity for intimate conversation just within the Laudholm barn's wide doors. This gentle event is a way of thanking the most generous supporters of an extraordinary place and the important work done here.

  • Land Conservation Plan for Maine's Piscataqua Region Watersheds

    Wells Reserve Contributor | July 22, 2010

    The Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership has released its Land Conservation Plan for Maine's Piscataqua Region Watersheds (14MB PDF).

    The plan provides a scientific and experienced-based guide for the protection of natural resources vital to thriving communities. It is designed to assist citizens who are involved in sustaining and improving their communities by serving on select boards, planning boards, conservation commissions, economic development boards, schools, or non-profit community organizations such as land trusts, watershed coalitions, conservation groups, and recreation clubs.

  • In a Scientist's Shoes

    Wells Reserve Contributor | July 22, 2010

    On the trail to knowledgeHere's a few photos from Monday's Just For Kids camp, "In a Scientist's Shoes."

  • Maine Road-Stream Crossing Survey in Full Swing

    | July 14, 2010

    Road-Stream CulvertThis summer, the Wells Reserve is an active participant in the Maine Road-Stream Crossing Survey: a joint project of the Maine Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Gulf of Maine Coastal Program. Four teams comprising of summer interns and Reserve employees are surveying the culverts of the Kennebunk River Watershed to see if they pose barriers to fish and wildlife passage.

  • Saco River fyke netting begins

    | July 2, 2010

    Work table for night fishingFishing has begun on the Saco River. On four dates in late June, researchers set fyke nets at eight sites along the river. They surveyed day and night and, except for one frightening microburst, had excellent conditions for field work. Hundreds of fish and shellfish were caught, identified, measured, and released. This project, focusing mainly on fish using the salt marsh, is part of a collaborative study with the University of New England that looks at the effects of upland land use on the river ecosystem.

  • Vote of Confidence

    | July 1, 2010
    Kennebunk Savings customers voted this spring on the bank's Community Investment Ballot and Laudholm Trust has just received its portion of the funds awarded throughout the region. On hand for the donation ceremony are Kennebunk Savings President and CEO Brad Paige, Wells …
  • My Experience So Far...

    Wells Reserve Contributor | July 1, 2010
    Looking back on the first month here at the reserve I have learned so much. The staff and interns here are exceptional and I feel as though I am fitting in rather nicely. It is a very satisfying feeling when the work that you did in college and the material you learned is applied in the field that you are working in. Looking back at the interview I had here in March, I remember knowing exactly what Jeremy meant wh…