Facing Change: Planning for the Future of Southern Maine’s Coastal Marshes

Tidal marshes in Maine play a critical role in supporting wildlife and commercially important species, offering places for recreation, buffering coastal communities from storms and erosion, filtering runoff, and storing atmospheric carbon. Yet these ecosystems have been profoundly impacted by historical agricultural practices and fragmentation from roads and development. With accelerating sea level rise compounding these challenges, many salt marshes are at risk of long-term degradation.

At the Wells Reserve, scientists and partners are working to reverse these trends by enhancing marsh resilience and protecting the ecological and community benefits these habitats provide. Through applied research, restoration projects, and partnerships with local stakeholders, this work aims to support both marsh recovery and community adaptation.

Join Jacob Aman, Director of Stewardship at the Wells Reserve, for a look at current efforts to enhance salt marshes in southern Maine and the tools being used to plan for the future.