Petit Manan NWR

The Petit Manan Refuge is one of five national wildlife refuges contained in the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge complex which spans more than 250 miles of Maine coastline and is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System and managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The primary focus of the Maine Coastal Islands Refuge is restoring and managing colonies of nesting seabirds.

The Refuge’s four mainland properties are located in the Towns of Corea, Gouldsboro, Steuben, and Milbridge, Maine, and provide a diversity of habitat for a wide variety of species. The majority of habitat on all four parcels is dominated by mature forest, but the refuge also protects several saltmarshes, a diverse mix of freshwater wetlands, and several grassland and blueberry fields. The freshwater wetlands on Petit Manan Point are used by thousands of migratory waterfowl during the fall months.

The Petit Manan Point Division has two established trails, and offers exceptional views of the bold, rocky shoreline and adjacent bays. Additional trails are planned for the Milbridge and Gouldsboro properties.

Petit Manan NWR also includes 2,078 acres on 41 islands, stretching the entire coastline of Maine. The islands vary in size from 0.5 – 1,321 acres. Refuge staff monitor island resources and conduct biological surveys of the islands’ flora and fauna. Active seabird restoration projects are ongoing on Matinicus Rock, Petit Manan, Metinic, Ship and Eastern Brother Islands. 

The seabird nesting islands within Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge are generally open during daylight hours from September 1 through March 31, and closed to public use during the seabird nesting season: April 1 to August 31.

For more information you are asked to contact the refuge manager at (207) 594-0600 ex.2.