WELLS, Maine — The Wells Reserve at Laudholm will mark Earth Day with a community celebration on Wednesday, April 22, inviting visitors to spend the day cleaning the coast, exploring nature, and stepping inside a life‑size inflatable humpback whale.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and begins with a beach cleanup on Laudholm Beach. Volunteers will meet at the campus gazebo before walking the Barrier Beach Trail to the shoreline, where they’ll help remove debris and learn about the impacts of marine litter.
Festivities continue back on campus from noon to 2 p.m. with a slate of hands‑on, nature‑themed activities. Participants can join Maine Master Gardeners for seed planting, create leaf prints, make earth pledges, and take part in a pollinator scavenger hunt designed to highlight the insects that keep ecosystems thriving.
One of the day’s biggest draws arrives at 1 p.m., when Within the Whale opens for exploration. The immersive exhibit invites visitors inside a life‑size inflatable humpback whale, offering a rare look at the anatomy and ecological importance of one of the ocean’s keystone species. Educators will guide participants through the structure, explaining how whales help maintain healthy oceans and support a balanced planet.
The Earth Day Celebration is free with site admission, and no preregistration is required. Additional details are available at wellsreserve.org/calendar.
