Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1966 in cooperation with the State of Maine to protect valuable salt marshes and estuaries for migratory birds. Located along 50 miles of coastline in York and Cumberland counties, the refuge consists of 11 divisions between Kittery and Cape Elizabeth. The proximity of the refuge to the coast and its location between the eastern deciduous forest and the boreal forest creates a composition of plants and animals not found elsewhere in Maine. Major habitat types present on the refuge include forested upland, barrier beach/dune, coastal meadows, tidal salt marsh, and the distinctive rocky coast.
Announcements

Salt Marsh Restoration Internship:16 weeks (~June 16th – October 3rd, 2025)
One full-time intern is needed to support salt marsh salt marsh
Salt marshes are found in tidal areas near the coast, where freshwater mixes with saltwater.

Learn more about salt marsh
restoration projects at Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in Wells, Maine. This position requires a strong interest in coastal ecosystems, the ability to identify salt marsh plants and spend long hours in the field under varying conditions. Prior experience working in salt marshes and/or using ArcGIS Pro, AGOL, Field Maps, and technical equipment are not required, but are advantageous.

Avian Monitoring Internship: 12 weeks (~May 5th – July 25th, 2025)
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in Wells, Maine provides an opportunity to build your biological monitoring and management skills by working with a team of skilled field biologists. Interns are an essential part of our operations, and if selected, you will become a dynamic member of our skilled and motivated team.
One full time intern is needed to support avian monitoring projects (piping plover, least tern, and saltmarsh sparrow) on Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in Wells, Maine. This position requires a strong interest in bird conservation, the ability to locate and monitor cryptic shorebirds and their young, as well as identify avian and mammalian predators by tracks and sign. Prior experience bird banding (mist net extraction, banding), and nest searching are not required, but are advantageous.

2025 RACHEL CARSON NWR LMRD SALT MARSH INTERNSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT DEADLINE TO APPLY: FEBRUARY 16, 2025 2025
Internship Opportunity Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in Wells, Maine provides an opportunity to build your biological monitoring and management skills by working with a team of skilled field biologists. Interns are an essential part of our operations, and if selected, you will become a dynamic member of our skilled and motivated team.
Deadline to apply: February 16, 2025 LMRD Salt Marsh Internship: 20 weeks (~June 2nd – October 17th, 2025).

🌿✨ Exciting Update on Our Multipurpose Facility! ✨🌿
Service to open new Office and Visitor Center in Kennebunk, ME 
 

👋 Visitor Entrance: Get ready to be warmly welcomed by our friendly staff and volunteers! Here, you can also participate in our Junior Ranger Program, designed to inspire and educate the next generation of conservationists.

🖼️ Exhibit Hall: Step into an immersive experience that celebrates our natural world! Visitors will journey through exhibits featuring Rachel Carson, stroll through a forest, explore a salt marsh, meet local community members, and end their adventure by the sea.

🛍️ Friends Nature Store: We’re proud to announce that the Friends of Rachel Carson NWR will host a nature store! This initiative will support visitor engagement and conservation efforts, providing you with unique finds that celebrate our environment.

🏫 Multipurpose Room: This space will be a hub for environmental education and conservation planning, bringing together community members to collaborate and learn.

🌲 Sense of Wonder Trail: We're particularly excited about this accessible community trail project! Designed by our Partner Schools, Enock Glidden, and Indigenous artists, this trail will feature nature play elements, stunning rest stops, and breathtaking views, ensuring a memorable experience for all.

We can’t wait to share more updates as we continue our journey. Thank you for your ongoing support! 💚

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge and Great Thicket National Wildlife Refuge Berwick-York Focus Area Offer Hunting Opportunities 

Rachel Carson NWR and Great Thicket NWR are seeking public review and comment on its Supplemental Environmental Assessment (EA) for hunting. The refuges will eliminate use of lead ammunition for all hunting starting September 1, 2026. Until then, over the next 3 years we will provide outreach and education opportunities for hunters to learn about lead impacts and available alternatives. We will initially encourage the voluntary use of non-lead ammunition for hunting.

Please note that we have not made any significant changes to the previous September 2022 hunting plan -- there are no new changes to species, seasons, acreages, methods of take, or regulations. The Supplemental EA is focused on the further analysis of potential impacts of lead ammunition and utilizes the latest research and best available science where applicable. The updated information provides another opportunity for public review and comment; however, much of the written text transferred from the 2022 plan remains unchanged.

Draft documents are available online here:Final Hunt Plan 2023-2024

Become a Junior Ranger

Earn one of three junior ranger badges by completing the level of engagement that you choose.  Meet Rachel Carson, walk the trail through the forest, past the saltmarsh and end at the sea.  Explore animal tracks and bird calls as well as the Junior Duck Stamp Program. Bring your book to the visitor center where a ranger will issue you a badge.

Download your guide!  Remember if you print to set your printer to "print two sided and flip on short edge".

Also available in Portuguese

Visit Us

Coastal Maine is a destination for both national and international visitors. Visitors are drawn to the area's beaches, rocky coastline, and forests every year. Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge offers an alternative for those seeking solitude and a connection with nature. 

While our main purpose is to protect wildlife and natural resources, the refuge offers a variety of ways for the public to experience and appreciate its protected public lands including three main nature trails and many wildlife observation stations featuring every habitat type found on the refuge, hunting and fishing opportunities, interpretive and educational programs, a visitor information center, many volunteering opportunities, as well as other recreational activities.  

For information on trails, wildlife viewing and photography, and other recreational opportunities at the refuge, click on the button below.

Location and Contact Information

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    What We Do

    Land Acquisition
    Across the country, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is interested in continuing the work of protecting natural and working lands, restoring habitat on open land and salt marshes and acquiring properties from willing sellers that lie in close proximity to existing refuge lands. Here in southern Maine, the refuge is currently purchasing lands and conservation easements from willing sellers. A conservation easement conservation easement
    A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a government agency or qualified conservation organization that restricts the type and amount of development that may take place on a property in the future. Conservation easements aim to protect habitat for birds, fish and other wildlife by limiting residential, industrial or commercial development. Contracts may prohibit alteration of the natural topography, conversion of native grassland to cropland, drainage of wetland and establishment of game farms. Easement land remains in private ownership.

    Learn more about conservation easement
    is a transaction where the owner retains the land as their private property but conveys certain rights that protect the property’s wildlife habitat in perpetuity. We also gratefully accept land donations when they contribute to refuge purposes.
    If you would like to talk about the benefits of protecting your land and integrating it into the National Wildlife Refuge System, please reach out to me by phone or e-mail using my contact information below. I have attached links describing the work of the Rachel Carson NWR and our Realty Division for your review on the second page of this letter. I hope to hear from you soon!

    Karl Stromayer, Refuge Manager
    Phone: 207-206-6735
    Email: Karl_Stromayer@fws.gov

    Original Letter and Links 

    Our Organization

    A bright blue sky obstructed by fluffy white clouds reflected off of a stream shot from inside a kayak
    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages an unparalleled network of public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System. With more than 570 refuges spanning the country, this system protects iconic species and provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Earth.

    Our Species

    Southern coastal Maine contains a greater diversity of upland plant and animal species than any other part of the state. Yet, this biologically rich area is the most densely populated part of Maine, and continues to experience rapid growth. The refuge divisions, distributed along 50 miles of Maine's southern coast, lie in the heart of that region. Along with salt marshes the refuge supports other coastal habitats including dune grassland, beach, subtidal and intertidal mudflats, marine open water, tidal river, maritime shrubland, and upland forest. Those habitats provide critical buffers for the salt marsh salt marsh
    Salt marshes are found in tidal areas near the coast, where freshwater mixes with saltwater.

    Learn more about salt marsh
    and habitat for many aquatic and upland species of conservation concern. 
     

    Get Involved

    There are so many ways to get involved at Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. Some activities may involve tasks such as winter rabbit tracking, habitat restoration, plant propagation, and invasive plant removal. Share your knowledge of the natural world by performing surveys or lend a hand at our visitor center by helping orient visitors to the area. We also host several volunteer days throughout the year that will appeal to anyone who would like to get their hands dirty. This is a great opportunity to learn about the refuge, what we do to protect wildlife and their habitat, gain experience, meet new people, and have fun!

    Please call (207) 535-9145, to sign up for the volunteer email list and learn more about the refuge. 

    Projects and Research

    Refuge staff conserves, creates, and restores habitats to benefit a diversity of wildlife. We focus on the highest priority lands; salt marshes, tidal rivers, forests, beaches, and thickets. These areas are home to many animals, both common and rare. Of course we don’t do it alone, we work closely with our conservation partners and communities.