Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
Wells, ME


Photo courtesy of Janice Powell/Twin LIghts.

The Rachel Carson Refuge is part of a nationwide system of refuges created to protect wildlife and their valuable habitats at key locations along migration routes. The Refuge is under the direction of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. Rachel Carson, author and environmentalist, played a major role in raising the public awareness to the impact of pesticides on the environment. Some of her earlier works concerned life in and around the sea and the role all creatures play in the chain of life. When completed, the refuge will consist of 7,435 acres of salt marsh and adjacent upland habitat from Kittery to Cape Elizabeth. The Refuge was established in 1966 and dedicated to Rachel Carson on June 27, 1970. This marshland was highly valued by the early settlers for the harvesting of salt marsh hay. The dikes they constructed can still be seen along the marshes. The area provides habitat for a wide variety of birds, mammals, and plants. Over 250 species of birds can be observed on or from the refuge during the year. Waterfowl, including Canada geese, black ducks, green-winged teal, and other species visit the area during the spring and fall migratory seasons. Shore birds, wading birds, gulls and terns, as well as a variety of songbirds, use the refuge. Please visit the one mile long, accessible, self-guided "Carson Trail" nature trail located at the refuge headquarters. Literature, maps and other infor-mation can also be obtained at the refuge office.

HOURS: Trail: Sunrise to Sunset, all year, Office: M-F 8:00 am to 4:30 pm; limited hours on weekends in the summer
WEBSITE: http://rachelcarson.fws.gov/descript.html
ADMISSION: Free to see
PHONE: (207) 646-9226
ADDRESS: 321 Port Road Wells, ME 03802
DIRECTIONS: Take Wells Exit 2 from Maine Turnpike toward Route 9. From 109 head toward Route 1. Turn left on Route 1 and look for Route 9, about a mile and a half northeast. Rachel Carson Trail is about 7 miles up Route 9 after you bear right of Route 1.
LINKS: More on Rachel Carson, Our Own Photo Tour,