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Management Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System

Management Plan - National Estuarine Research Reserve System

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The Wells <strong>Reserve</strong> requires specific facilities for abroad range of programs and activities. Facilitiesneeded include offices for staff and visiting educatorsand researchers; laboratories for scientists andstudents; a maintenance and repair shop; storageareas; interpretive exhibit areas; classrooms; a giftshop; a welcome area; a public library; meetingrooms; spaces for public events; and living spaces forvisiting scientists, educators, and natural resourcemanagers.AdministrationThe Wells <strong>Reserve</strong> is unique in the NERR <strong>System</strong>,as it is the only <strong>Reserve</strong> unaffiliated with a Statenatural resource agency or university. Instead, it isa public/private partnership whose administrativeoversight is vested in the <strong>Reserve</strong> <strong>Management</strong>Authority (RMA). This independent state agencywas established in 1990 to support and promotethe interests of the Wells <strong>Reserve</strong>. The RMA hasa Board of Directors composed of representativeshaving a property, management, or programinterest in the Wells <strong>Reserve</strong>. RMA membersrepresent the Maine Department of Conservation,the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Town ofWells, Laudholm Trust, the Maine State <strong>Plan</strong>ningOffice, and the <strong>National</strong> Oceanic and AtmosphericAdministration. A Governor-appointed scientistwith an established reputation in the field of marineor estuarine research also serves on the RMA. TheManager reports to the RMA, which has quarterlyboard meetings.VolunteersOne of the great strengths of the Wells <strong>Reserve</strong>is its spirit of volunteerism, which was essentialto the establishment of the <strong>Reserve</strong>. The <strong>Reserve</strong>’svolunteer programs engage a diverse corps of morethan 400 people who contribute over 15,000 hoursannually to advancing the Wells <strong>Reserve</strong>’s mission.Volunteer programs are directed through a closecollaboration with Laudholm Trust.The Wells <strong>Reserve</strong> volunteers fill many roles andaccomplish many tasks. They greet visitors, answerphones, teach school groups, tend the grounds,patrol trails, scrape and paint, proofread, domailings, enter research data, distribute programinformation, lead nature walks, develop educationalmaterials, assist ad hoc committees, monitorwater quality and raise funds. Many volunteersserve on standing advisory committees that meetregularly to guide <strong>Reserve</strong> staff on research, education,building, library and resource managementprograms and issues. In addition, volunteers areinvolved with projects through collaborationswith the Rachel Carson <strong>National</strong> Wildlife Refuge,Maine Sea Grant, local schools, businesses, YorkCounty Audubon Society and other partners.Over the next five years, the Wells <strong>Reserve</strong> willcontinue to engage and cultivate volunteers inour programs, as their involvement is key to the<strong>Reserve</strong>’s continued success.Site ProfileThe Wells <strong>National</strong> <strong>Estuarine</strong> <strong>Research</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong>Site Profile is a separate document that providesdetailed information about the <strong>Reserve</strong> and its naturalresources. Published in January 2007, the 326-page book contains information on the <strong>Reserve</strong>’sphysical and biological resources. It includes plantand animal species lists, past research and monitoringprojects, and current and future research needs.The Site Profile is an excellent reference document,which is aimed at researchers and resource managerscarrying out projects in south coastal Maine.It also helps guide research projects at the Wells<strong>Reserve</strong> and informs decisions on land and waterstewardship within the <strong>Reserve</strong>’s boundaries and inits watersheds.Wells <strong>National</strong> <strong>Estuarine</strong> <strong>Research</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong>

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