Wells Reserve At Laudholm

The Wells Reserve is a 2,250-acre research, education, and public recreation facility, a state-federal partnership within the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. Reserve facilities are located at Laudholm Farm in Wells, Maine. Seven miles of hiking and cross-country skiing trails provide access to woodlands, fields, wetlands, beach, and dunes. Our research program focuses on salt marsh dominated estuaries and their watersheds throughout the Gulf of Maine. Our education programs inform people about coastal environments and watersheds. Educational offerings include school field trips, group tours and programs, a lecture series, family and children's programs, public nature tours, and workshops for coastal decision-makers. Volunteers were instrumental in founding the Wells Reserve and continue to dedicate energy to advance its mission. The Reserve offers a stimulating and satisfying environment for volunteers of all ages to work and grow.

The Wells Reserve at Laudholm works to expand knowledge of coasts and estuaries, engage people in environmental learning, and involve communities in conserving natural resources, all with a goal of protecting and restoring coastal ecosystems around the Gulf of Maine. Laudholm Farm was settled in 1642 and was occupied by just four families over the next 350 years. In 1978, when the farm was going to go up for sale, neighbors banded together to preserve the site and its historic buildings. They formed Laudholm Trust and reached out to individuals, businesses, and foundations for support. Trustees successfully raised funds and negotiated agreements to join the farm with adjacent town, state, and federal lands. Because of the farm's location on two rivers and two estuaries, Laudholm Trustees pursued an opportunity to become part of the national system of estuarine research reserves and The Wells Reserve was dedicated in 1986.