Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

Name: eRegulations
Price range: $

The Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (GBNERR) was designated in 1989 and is part of a network of 30 Reserves across the nation. The Great Bay Reserve is managed by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The program sets aside important estuarine areas for long-term research, education and stewardship.

The Great Bay Reserve includes all of Great Bay, Little Bay and the tidal portions of the Bellamy, Oyster, Lamprey, Squamscott and Winnicut Rivers. In addition, there are 2,935 acres of upland that comprise the boundary of the Reserve. All Reserve lands are open to the public for hunting and fishing. View maps highlighting conservation lands throughout the Great Bay area on the Great Bay Partnership website.

Reserve activities take place at the Great Bay Discovery Center and the Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center in Greenland off Route 33. The 50-acre site includes a 1,300-foot boardwalk, a high tide and cartop only boat access, and indoor and outdoor exhibits featuring the cultural and natural history of the Great Bay Estuary, as well as antique coastal hunting and fishing artifacts. The interpretive centers are open May to October and are free of charge.

Year round, the Reserve holds a number of special programs, including programs for children and adults. The Reserve provides technical assistance training for coastal decision makers and conducts coastal research and monitoring. The facilities feature a number of innovative technologies for managing stormwater and reducing energy consumption, including a porous pavement parking lot, composting toilets, and solar roofing.

The Reserve is also supported by a local friends group, the Great Bay Stewards. Learn more about their work on the Great Bay Stewards website, and explore all Reserve programs and initiatives on the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve website.

Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
N.H. Fish and Game Department
225 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824
(603) 868-1095

Great Bay Discovery Center/
Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center
89 Depot Road, Greenland, NH 03885
(603) 778-0015

Exterior view of the Great Bay Discovery Center entrance with a wooden building, directional signpost, and landscaped walkway. — The Great Bay Discovery Center welcomes visitors with exhibits and programs focused on coastal habitats, wildlife, and environmental education in New Hampshire.

The Great Bay Discovery Center serves as the educational headquarters for the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Volunteer for Great Bay!

Share your passion for the Great Bay and join the volunteer family at the Great Bay Discovery Center. Volunteers are needed to help implement the school programs, staff the exhibit rooms, work on special events, help with research projects, and keep the grounds and gardens looking great.

Call the Great Bay Discovery Center at (603) 778-0015 or visit the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve website for more information.

Biologists conducting field research by measuring vegetation inside a square sampling frame in a grassy habitat. — New Hampshire Fish and Game staff conduct fieldwork to study habitat conditions, using hands-on research to support wildlife and land management efforts.