Every year the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve hosts an Earth Day event, to which they invite environmental and conservation organizations from all over southern Maine.  Maine Conservation Corps volunteers Liz Schwegler and Elizabeth Wolff attended this event with a display highlighting the NWR system and Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge.  Part of the goal was to educate the public about the ongoing conservation projects supported by the refuge and to get folks interested in the environment.  Hundreds of people came to the event, and Liz and Elizabeth talked to many people about our work at the refuge.  Of particular interest to several people was our information about invasive plants.  Many of these plants are ornamental and people unwittingly have them growing in their yards.  As a part of this event, we provided information to the public about the problems associated with invasive plants and discourage their use in landscaping and gardening.

            Another great public outreach event was at LL Bean's annual canoe and kayak expo.  Service employee David Melvin volunteered for the day and provided the public with information about boat access and fishing on the refuge.  The event was a great opportunity for refuge staff to encourage the public's responsible use of refuge land and strengthen our partnership with L. L. Bean.

            During National Fire Prevention Week, Senior Refuge Fire Management Officer Bob Harris reached out to customers at Kittery Trading Post in Kittery, ME; L.L. Bean in Freeport, ME; and the newly opened Cabela's store in Scarborough, ME to dispense very important information about fire prevention and education to hundreds of people.  During his interactions he also spoke about Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) programs supported by Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge.