inside - Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve

spring 2011 volume 28 issue 1
president’snotebook
Partners in research, education, stewardship, and preservation.
Diana Joyner
As you can see from this issue, the winter and early spring seasons have been very productive
for us! The long cold winter posed some site challenges, but the snow covered trees and
broad white drifts were quite lovely here. They gave us the inspiration and time to focus on
new projects and programs and plan for our busy summer season.
Much of our time was dedicated to the completion of our new Visitor Center exhibits
and the updating of the first floor in the farmhouse. How fortunate we are to have a private
donor who had the vision and provided the matching funds for this remarkable initiative that
will inspire guests for many, many years!
Our first spring event, Wells Reserve EcoDay (Healthy Planet, Healthy You) was a grand
success due in large part to the support of more than 30 new business partners. It was
particularly exciting to work with so many Maine entrepreneurs who are committed to
supporting the environment with a diverse range of green products and services and lowimpact
recreational activities. The enthusiasm and willingness of our business partners to work
with us in the future will help us continue to expand our outreach and attract new members.
The scent of lilacs and freshly cut grass wafting through our windows tells us warm
sunny weather is finally here. We are thrilled and ready—the gazebo is refurbished, the
pumpkin and corn garden is planted for fall events, new exterior building signage is in the
works, and the Visitor Center has reopened after a busy few months of preparation. The
campus is bustling again!
We thank you for your commitment and loyalty through good times and bad. You
make it all possible and we are grateful for your friendship and continual support. Check our
website for up-to-date information on what is happening at Wells Reserve at Laudholm. We
hope to see you often over the summer months. Be sure to come see the new exhibits and
be surprised by the updated Visitor Center!
The Wells Reserve is one of 28 National Estuarine Research Reserve sites throughout the
country. All reserves require local funding to match federal grants from the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration. The Wells Reserve is the only reserve that receives its match
from a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Each year, Laudholm Trust contributes private funds
and in-kind services to support Wells Reserve operations and capital improvements.
3
Laudholm Trust Board of Trustees
Tim Dietz, Chairman
Bruce Read, Vice Chairman
Dennis Byrd, Treasurer
Kelli Gardner, Clerk
Jennifer Arps, Secretary
Leslie Roberts, Secretary
Dana Dakers
Cynthia Daley
Charlie Gaylord
Amy Seif Hattan
George Lambert
Hans Warner
Bill Webb
Honorary Trustees
Doris Adams-Nunnemacher
J. Alden Cheever
George W. Ford II
Lily Rice Kendall Hsia
Walt Leffler
Rebecca Richardson
Wells Reserve Management Authority
Diana Joyner, Chairman
President. Laudholm Trust
Daniel Belknap, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Earth Sciences
University of Maine
RIchard Clark
Member, Board of Selectmen
Town of Wells
Ward Feurt
Refuge Manager
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
Thomas Morrison
Director of Operations, Bureau of Parks and Lands
Maine Department of Conservation
Kathleen Leyden (ex-officio)
Director, Maine Coastal Program
Maine State Planning Office
Laurie McGilvray (ex-officio)
Chief, Estuarine Reserves Division
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
What’s happening at the Wells
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