Weeks Bay Reserve

This important estuary in Baldwin County provides a critical nursery for fish and shellfish. Established in 1986, Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) is managed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Estuarine Research Reserve System. Comprised of 9,317 acres, Weeks Bay NERR contains upland and bottomland hardwood forests, salt and freshwater marshes, submerged aquatic vegetation, and unique bog habitats such as the pitcher plant bog. Visitors can learn about estuarine ecology and how water quality changes due to pollution, runoff, and alterations to the shoreline, which can harm the many plants and animals inhabiting the Reserve. Recreational opportunities include picnicking, hiking, fishing, canoeing/kayaking, bird watching, and wildlife observation.