The Wrack

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.

Here's a few photos from Monday's Just For Kids camp, "In a Scientist's Shoes."

This 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.

Fishing 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.

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 …

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…

With a camera and a computer you have everything you need to monitor habitat change over time at the Wells Reserve.

Volunteer naturalist Eileen Willard spotted this Goldsmith Beetle (Cotalpa lanigera) outside the Visitor Center on May 31 and telephoned insect enthusiast Brandon Woo to tell him about it. Brandon came and photographed the uncommon insect.

Rainwater harvesting can reduce flooding and erosion issues, as well as surface-water contamination, by slowing down and decreasing the volume of stormwater runoff. One way to harvest rainwater is by using a catchment technique such as rain barrels.