Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
| Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge | |
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IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
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Tidal salt marsh at the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in Wells, Maine.
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| Location | Cumberland County, York County, Maine, United States |
| Nearest city | Kennebunk, Maine |
| Coordinates | 43°21′00″N 70°32′28″W / 43.35008°N 70.5411°WCoordinates: 43°21′00″N 70°32′28″W / 43.35008°N 70.5411°W |
| Area | 9,125 acres (36.93 km2) |
| Established | 1966 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge |
The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge is a 9,125-acre (37 km2) National Wildlife Refuge made up of several parcels of land along 50 miles (80 km) of Maine's southern coast. Created in 1966, it is named for environmentalist and author Rachel Carson, whose book Silent Spring raised public awareness of the effects of DDT on migratory songbirds, and of other environmental issues.
The refuge's parcels include protected areas between Kittery and Cape Elizabeth, including land in Wells, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Biddeford, Saco, and Scarborough.
The refuge protects 1,167 acres (4.72 km2) of estuary salt marsh and uplands that drain into the Webhannet River, or about one-ninth of the river's watershed.
The refuge's headquarters are on Route 9 in Wells.
The refuge protects various kinds of habitat, including barrier beach, dune, tidal estuary, salt marsh, and rocky coastline. The piping plover, an endangered species, nests on refuge land.
The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge was established to preserve ten important estuaries that are key points along migration routes of waterfowl and other migratory birds. During harsh winters, the refuge's marshes provide vital food and cover for waterfowl and other migrating birds at a time when inland waters are frozen. The refuge also supports piping plover, least terns, peregrine falcons, bald eagles, and other state and federally protected species. Nesting success of plover and terns has benefitted from the increased habitat protection. In addition to anadromous fish, many commercially and recreationally important fin and shellfish rely on these coastal wetlands as critical nursery areas.
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