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

2024 RACHEL CARSON NWR INTERNSHIP ANNOUNCEMENTS
DEADLINE TO APPLY: FEBRUARY 18, 2024
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.
Please follow this link to the full announcement:  2024 Rachel Carson NWR Salt marsh Internships.

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge Seasonal Internships for 2024 are here!
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge 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.
Please follow this link for the full announcement: 2024 Avian Internships

 

 

 






2024 Invasive Plant Monitoring & Control Assistant
DEADLINE TO APPLY: MARCH 4, 2024
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge is looking for a qualified and enthusiastic individual to be our 2024 Invasive Plant Seasonal Assistant.
Please follow this link to the full announcement: Invasive Plant Monitoring and Control Assistant

Service to open new Office and Visitor Center in Kennebunk, ME 
Center to showcase the career and contributions of Rachel Carson

Work has begun on a multipurpose center in Kennebunk, Maine that will be a focal point for connecting people to the rich natural wonders of coastal southern Maine and celebrating the life and work of Rachel Carson. The 11,000-square foot home located at 188 Brown Street in Kennebunk will become an office and visitor center for the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, the Gulf of Maine Coastal Program and the Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. Features will include an exhibit hall and trails that will be accessible, a multipurpose room equipped to welcome groups of up to 45 persons for environmental education programs and other events, and a nature store. The facility is expected to welcome some 60,000 visitors a year and likely will open to the public in 2026.
Enjoy the full press release published by Seacostonline.

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

      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. 
       

      Brown and gray rabbit hides in the grass

      The New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis) is a medium-large sized cottontail rabbit that may reach 1,000 grams (2.2 pounds) in weight. Sometimes called the gray rabbit, brush rabbit, wood hare or cooney, it can usually be distinguished from the sympatric eastern cottontail and...

      FWS Focus
      Grey, white and black bird on sand in the foreground

      Size: 18 cm (7.25 in) in length. Color: Breeding season: Pale brown above, lighter below; black band across forehead; bill orange with black tip; legs orange; white rump. Male: Complete or incomplete black band encircles the body at the breast. Female: Paler head band; incomplete breast band....

      FWS Focus

      Our Library

      2023 RCNWR Internship Flyer 508 Compliant.pdf

      2023 RCNWR Internship Flyer for Avian Monitor and Salt Marsh Interns

      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.