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The South Alabama Regional Planning Commission presents . . . Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (WBNERR) 11300 US 98, Fairhope, AL 36532 Tel: 251-928-9792 Facs: 251-928-1792 L.G. Adams, Reserve Manager, ladams@surf.nos.noaa.gov GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SITE NAME: Official Name -- Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (WBNERR) Common Name -- Weeks Bay Reserve DESCRIPTION:The Weeks Bay Reserve currently encompasses over 6,000 acres of estuarine lowland swamp, marsh, and water bottoms in both freshwater and brackish water habitats. At the Interpretive Center is a small museum, library, classroom, meeting room, laboratory, and staff offices. Also on site is an auditorium and dormitory space for visiting researchers and students. The Reserve has boardwalks and other nature trails for unique access to habitats. DATE WHEN INFORMATION LAST UPDATED: 16 September 2002 LOCATION: Alabama; Baldwin County; near Latitude: 30.45 degrees N, Longitude: 87.85 degrees W. ECOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE HABITAT TYPES: : Saltmarsh, freshwater marsh, estuarine benthos, tidal flats, swamp, bogs, pine savannah, upland forest, sawgrass marsh, other estuarine, riverine, and palustrine habitats. RARE/ENDANGERED SPECIES: Endangered & Threatened Species include - West Indian Manatee, Marsh Rabbit, Eastern Fox Squirrel; Red-Cockaded Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Bald Eagle, Wood Stork, Least Tern; Alabama Red-bellied Turtle, Gopher Tortoise, Flatwoods Salamander, Eastern Indigo Snake, American Alligator; Alabama Sturgeon. Rare Species include but not limited to - Bobcat; White-topped Pitcher Plant, Crimson Pitcher Plant, Sphagnum Moss, Thread-leaf Sundew; White Pelican. BREEDING/NURSERY AREA: Weeks Bay is a prime nursery for multitudes of animals and plants in both brackish and freshwater habitats. Shrimp and many other commercial and non-commercial fishes and crustaceans are dependent on the excellent health of Weeks Bay with its enormous biological productivity and diversity. Common species seen include the Brown Pelican, Osprey, Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, American Alligator, aquatic Turtles, Largemouth Bass, Mullet, Water Moccasin, and many other species. MIGRATORY SPECIES: White Pelican, Loon, Cormorant, Monarch Butterfly, Warblers, Ducks, etc. ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION: Food source, breeding, nesting, & nursery grounds, flood control, water quality protection, water purification, riparian habitat, erosion control, ground water recharge. ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: Local Indian mounds and middens. Commercial history and early exploration by Spanish, French, and British. Civil War artifacts from campaigns and forts. CURRENT AND POTENTIAL USE OF SITE EXISTING OR POTENTIAL EDUCATIONAL USE: : K-12, adult groups, public visitation. Boardwalks through swamp, and bog. Grounds trails in uplands, swamps. Interpretive Center contains displays, exhibits, and other resources. EXISTING DESIGNATIONS: National Estuarine Research Reserve, Outstanding National Resource Water. MANAGEMENT STATUS:The Weeks Bay NERR is managed by the State of Alabama through the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, and through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association's Estuarine Reserves Division. The Reserve is managed for educational opportunities, estuarine research, and resource conservation. The Weeks Bay Reserve is one of 25 Reserves in the national system, dedicated to research, education, and resource management. The Reserve operates on funding from the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Association and the State of Alabama. MANAGEMENT NEEDS: Continued research and monitoring of resources to provide and ensure long term productivity and functions of the estuary. SITE VIABILITY THREATS TO ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY: : Sedimentation from urban, commercial, and residential development; and fecal coliform contamination from poorly operating septic tanks are primary impacts to Weeks Bay. MANAGEMENT POTENTIAL: Continue to manage as watershed model with estuarine and habitat research and monitoring. Continue to provide educational and research opportunities. SOURCES OF INFORMATION: CITE SUPPORTING LITERATURE, MAPS, OR FIELD DATA for above information: (DISL, GSA, EPA, USF&WS, and numerous universities and colleges. RETURN TO SOUTH ALABAMA GEMS HOME PAGE This information presented by: state and local agencies. Web Design & Hosting by Site One on the Internet. Copyright©, 2001, 2002