The national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $453,750 in federal funding to the state of maine through the national estuarine research reserve system (NERRS) land…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded $453,750 in federal funding to the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve (Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm) on October 1, 2025, under the Coastal Zone Management Estuarine Research Reserves program (CFDA 11.420). This Project Grant will enable the Wells Reserve to acquire and protect a critical 26-acre property known as the Spiller Property located on Laudholm Farm Road adjacent to the existing reserve in Kennebunk, Maine. The property acquisition will be executed through an easement mechanism in collaboration with the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, protecting the land from imminent development pressures while expanding the reserve's conservation footprint. This parcel represents the highest acquisition priority for the Wells Reserve over the past two decades and serves as vital habitat adjacent to beaches and tourist amenities on Maine's south coast.

The project extends through March 31, 2027, with total obligations of $605,000. Through this land acquisition initiative, the Wells Reserve will strengthen its capacity as a natural field laboratory for estuarine research, monitoring, education, and conservation while supporting broader coastal ecosystem protection objectives in the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. The funding directly supports NOAA's mission to establish and operate reserves as research and education facilities focused on natural and human processes within coastal estuaries.

The national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $453,750 in federal funding to the state of maine through the national estuarine research reserve system (NERRS) land acquisition and construction program for fiscal year 2025 (NOAA-NOS-OCM-2025-29258). This funding will build the ability of the wells national estuarine research reserve within the wells national estuarine research reserve management authority to incorporate the 26-acre spiller property on laudholm farm road adjacent to the wells reserve. This property has been the highest acquisition priority for the wells reserve for two decades, and this property is under threat of development if not moved into conservation. Because the core of the the wells reserve abuts beaches and tourist amenities that are popular with visitors and seasonal homeowners, the reserve plays a critical role in habitat conservation. This 26-acre parcel is a vital piece of habitat that would be ripe for development if not protected through an easement. The wells nerr and the rachel carson national wildlife refuge have collaborated to protect this parcel, as IT is adjacent to both entities, making IT ripe for addition to the wells nerr.