The wells national estuarine research reserve (wells reserve or reserve) was designated in 1984 and is located on the south coast of maine

The Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve (Wells Reserve) was awarded a Cooperative Agreement under the Coastal Zone Management Estuarine Research Reserves (CFDA 11.420) program by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The $888,967 federal grant award, with a total project cost of $1,258,525, will support the Reserve's operations, research, education, and stewardship activities from July 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025. Key products and services to be delivered include implementing integrated programs in research, monitoring, education, teacher training, decision-maker training, science communication, volunteer and visitor support, and protected area stewardship. During this period, the Reserve also plans to develop a draft of their 2025-2030 management plan.

The reserve is administered by the wells national estuarine research reserve management authority (RMA) which is submitting this application for federal fiscal year 2024 funds to support operations and management, research monitoring, education, teacher training, decision maker training, science communication, a davidson fellow, volunteer and visitor support, and protected area stewardship activities. The cooperative agreement award will be from july 1, 2024 through december 31, 2025. The RMA is requesting $888,967 in federal funds which will be matched by $377,558 in non-federal funds for a total project cost of $1,258,524. During the grant award, the reserve will focus on implementing and offering diverse integrated programs in areas of research education training, teacher training, monitoring, and stewardship. During this award, they plan to develop a draft of their 2025 to 2030 management plan.