Weeks Bay Reserve, Fairhope

Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is part of a national network of coastal reserves established as living laboratories for long-term scientific research and estuarine education. The Reserve is a cooperative partnership between the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources/Lands Division and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The Weeks Bay ecosystem contains many freshwater and marine fish and invertebrate species. Collectively, these species support large commercial and recreational fishing industries. Weeks Bay is especially a critical nursery for shrimp, bay anchovy, blue crab and multitudes of other fish, crustaceans and shellfish. The Reserve lands also include upland and bottomland hardwood forests, freshwater marsh, submerged aquatic vegetation, and unique bog habitats. Many of these areas are especially important to the large number of trans-Gulf migratory birds as a resting and feeding area. Reserves, such as Weeks Bay, play an important part in preserving these precious coastal environments and natural resources.

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