Annual Appeal

Devoting one day a year to “giving thanks” makes me think: our society doesn’t practice gratitude enough! Here at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm, we do send out thank-you letters on a weekly basis, but that’s not enough either. There’s just so much to be thankful for.

Thank you to Paul Dest, executive director here for the past 25 years, who officially retires this coming January. More than anyone, Paul was the architect of the Wells Reserve in the 21st century. In the upcoming newsletter, you can read about the marks he’s left. Thank you as well to the expert staff and tireless volunteers that co-developed this center for coastal science, education, and conservation. We would not be the place we are without them.

Thank you to our local community, which knows how special and unique this place is. Also in the newsletter, you can read about an especially generous family helping to complete the puzzle of protected lands here with their proffered “Last Piece.” By spring of next year, we’ll all be thanking them for adding 24 precious acres to the Reserve.

Most of all, thank you to you, for being a part of all this work. Thank you for considering an annual year-end gift to support the Wells Reserve. As part of our thanks to you, we proudly share seven miles of trails, historic buildings, beautiful beaches, rolling fields, mysterious forests – plus ongoing curiosity, truth, and beauty.

We're thankful for this place, its mission, and supporters like you. Especially in this time of uncertain federal funding, this National Estuarine Research Reserve and its work depend on you more than ever. Your gift to this place is a gift to yourself and to the generations to come.

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