Kennebunk celebrated what would have been Rachel Carson’s 99th birthday with the opening of the new Rachel Carson Center for People and Nature at 188 Brown St.

The center, originally located in Wells, is part of the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. Made up of 50 miles of coastline over 12 sites, the refuge covers 6,500 acres from Kittery to Cape Elizabeth. 

“It blends nature conservation, history and the potential for optimal public engagement in one place,” Karl Stomayer, refuge manager, said.  

The new 12,000-square-foot facility, supported by partners, volunteers, staff and the community, has a visitor center, community gathering space, exhibition gallery and a nature store. 

It’s been a long road for the center, said Bill Durkin, president of the fundraising arm of the center, Friends of the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. In 1990, the U.S. Congress earmarked $2.3 million for land acquisition and to lay the groundwork for the current facility. “We have had a long flight and we have finally landed in our new nest,” he said. 

The visitor center features exhibits of conservation efforts of the state-wide refuge and highlights the life of Rachel Carson. The opening exhibits include “Why are Bats Disappearing?,” “Maine’s Piping Plover” and “Helping Wildlife.”  In addition to the interactive exhibits, other spaces and features at the new center will open as they are completed over the coming months. 

The community and multipurpose space will serve as a public meeting room for classroom programs, art shows, lectures, community gatherings and conservation-focused celebrations consistent with the refuge mission. 

Unlike the small visitor center at the Wells site, the new center’s significantly larger size can accommodate programs on wildlife and habitat presentations, birding workshops, conservation lectures, youth environmental education activities, nature journaling and hands-on programs focused on coastal ecology and stewardship.

For the grand opening in late May, the exhibition gallery walls showcased wildlife and landscapes by Laura Butterworth of Kennebunk and bird and landscape pieces by Rebekah Lowell of Biddeford. 

“One of the goals of the center is to highlight local artists whose work reflects the natural beauty and conservation story of coastal Maine,” said Tom Wall, visitor services manager and ranger. Visitors can now also see the 12 blue-ribbon winners of the 2026 Maine Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest, where students are invited to submit artwork of North America waterfowl species.

Visitors will also find a nature store on site. Run by the Friends of Rachel Carson, the volunteer-run store is made up of donated counters, shelving and merchandise displays. 

The Nature Store offers books, field guides, educational materials, wildlife-themed gifts, Rachel Carson-inspired items and conservation-focused merchandise. Proceeds will help support upcoming Friends internships, educational programming, exhibits, and visitor experiences at the refuge.

“The most exciting thing for me has been meeting local residents who have been supporting the Refuge and the Friends for years but this is the first opportunity to meet face-to-face at the new Center,” said Patti Gardner, vice president of The Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge.  

Established in 1966, the refuge was created in partnership with the state of Maine and later renamed for Carson, who grew up in Pennsylvania, in 1969.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service purchased the center’s new 15-acre parcel in 2019. Funding for the Center comes from private donations, government funds and partnerships that share support for its education and conservation efforts.

The original site of the visitor center at 321 Post Rd. has been leveled but the popular 1-mile loop trail remains open with expanded parking. That trail, built by volunteers and various conservation groups around 1988, remains a favorite for those wanting accommodations for wheelchairs and strollers. The trail at the new site is anticipated to open in 2027 according to Wall. 

The Rachel Carson Center for People and Nature is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

This piece was produced through the training and support of Journalism New England’s Career Lab