The Refuge

The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge is located in York and Cumberland counties and consists of eleven divisions totaling 5,600 acres scattered throughout the towns of Kittery, York, Ogunquit, Wells, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Scarborough, and Cape Elizabeth.

Refuge lands are home to many beautiful but at-risk animals, including piping plovers, least terns, New England cottontail, northern long-eared bat, little brown bat, and eastern small-footed bat. The areas protected by the Refuge support not only wildlife but also critical habitat benefits for buffering our communities against a changing climate. This biologically rich area is also the most densely populated part of Maine and continues to experience rapid human growth.

The mixture of vibrant residential communities and important natural resources creates unique opportunities to engage and educate landowners and visitors about our mission of wildlife and habitat conservation. The Refuge hosts between 260,000 and 330,000 visitors per year, for wildlife viewing, hunting, enjoying the Carson and Timber Point trails, and connecting with the natural landscape.

A Network of Friends

Friends organizations are crucial to the collective mission of the Refuge System to conserve and protect the wildlife of this great nation. Friends organizations are essential to helping millions of Americans understand that their actions today determine the legacy we leave for tomorrow. Read about Friends groups on the National Wildlife Refuge Associations site: http://refugeassociation.org/friends-community/nwra-and-refuge-friends-groups/

Get Involved

If you live, work, play, or vacation in coastal southern Maine, chances are you have driven past the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. The Friends welcomes anyone who enjoys this area for its beauty, its wildlife, or its coastal access. We are currently looking for volunteers and Board members. To request more information, email friendsofrachelcarsonnwr@gmail.com.