Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Weeks Bay NERR, established in 1986, promotes estuarine research and education.
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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 ecosyst

em 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.

Join us on July 1 from 6–7 PM at Weeks Bay for a free Living Shoreline Workshop for Property Owners. Learn how native ma...
06/11/2026

Join us on July 1 from 6–7 PM at Weeks Bay for a free Living Shoreline Workshop for Property Owners. Learn how native marsh plants and other natural features can help combat erosion while benefiting local wildlife and water quality.

📍 Weeks Bay NERR
📝 Register: msucoastal.com/living-shorelines

This week’s Species Spotlight is on the Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica)! 🌿✨ The Eastern Carpenter bee is a na...
06/10/2026

This week’s Species Spotlight is on the Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica)! 🌿✨

The Eastern Carpenter bee is a native pollinator that is often mistaken for a bumble bee! You can tell the difference by looking closely: carpenter bees have a shiny, hairless black abdomen, while bumble bees are fuzzy all over. These large bees are found throughout eastern North America and play an important role in pollinating flowers, gardens, and crops. Carpenter bees get their name from their unique nesting behavior. Females use powerful mandibles to chew perfectly round tunnels into untreated wood, where they create chambers for their eggs. While this can sometimes damage wooden structures, these bees are valuable native pollinators that help support healthy ecosystems. You may notice carpenter bees hovering nearby in spring and summer. The males are often the most territorial and “aggressive” looking, but they can’t sting at all! Females can sting, but they are usually very docile unless directly threatened. Eastern carpenter bees are especially important for pollinating native wildflowers and many agricultural crops. In fact, native bees pollinate an estimated 15% of agricultural crops in the United States.

These buzzing backyard visitors may seem intimidating, but they are an important part of our coastal ecosystems and pollinator communities. 🐝

📸 Kathy Hicks

This week’s Species Spotlight is on the Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)! 🌿✨ The Common Bottlenose Dolphin...
06/03/2026

This week’s Species Spotlight is on the Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)! 🌿✨

The Common Bottlenose Dolphin is a familiar sight along the Gulf Coast and in coastal estuaries like Weeks Bay. These marine mammals are known for their curved dorsal fins, streamlined bodies, and incredible intelligence. Bottlenose dolphins use echolocation, a natural sonar system, to locate food and navigate through the water. By sending out clicking sounds and listening for echoes, they can detect fish, obstacles, and even differences in their environment. Living in groups called pods, dolphins work together to hunt and protect one another, each dolphin even develops its own unique “signature whistle” that works like a name. These dolphins play an important role in marine ecosystems as top predators, helping maintain balanced fish populations and healthy coastal habitats. But they also face challenges from pollution, marine debris, habitat degradation, and boat traffic.
If you’re lucky enough to spot dolphins in the wild, remember to give them plenty of space and never feed them! 🐬🌊

📸 Kathy Hicks

Weeks Bay Reserve offices will be closed Monday, June 1. Trails and the pitcher plant bog boardwalk remain open from daw...
05/31/2026

Weeks Bay Reserve offices will be closed Monday, June 1. Trails and the pitcher plant bog boardwalk remain open from dawn to dusk.

This week’s Species Spotlight is on the Lovebug (Plecia nearctica)! 🌿✨ Lovebugs are a harmless fly famous for traveling ...
05/27/2026

This week’s Species Spotlight is on the Lovebug (Plecia nearctica)! 🌿✨

Lovebugs are a harmless fly famous for traveling in pairs during mating season. Despite their name, lovebugs are actually a type of March fly, not a true bug. These tiny insects appear in large numbers across the Gulf Coast, especially during May and September. Lovebugs don’t bite or sting, but they are well known for swarming highways and covering windshields. Researchers have found they’re attracted to vehicle exhaust and light-colored surfaces, which is why they often gather near roads. While they can be a nuisance to drivers, lovebugs actually play an important ecological role as the adults help pollinate flowers, and the larvae break down decaying plant material and recycle nutrients back into the soil. Their adult lifespan is surprisingly short, only about 3–5 days, so they spend most of that time mating and laying eggs.

Nature’s tiny recyclers may be annoying at times, but they’re an important part of healthy ecosystems!

📸 Kathy Hicks

Happy Memorial Day from everyone at Weeks Bay Reserve! 🇺🇸🦅The Weeks Bay visitor center will be closed Monday, May 25th.
05/25/2026

Happy Memorial Day from everyone at Weeks Bay Reserve! 🇺🇸🦅
The Weeks Bay visitor center will be closed Monday, May 25th.

NOTICEBOARDWALK CLOSEDA Legacy of 30 YearsBuilt and in use since 1996, the Visitor Center boardwalk is an integral part ...
05/18/2026

NOTICE
BOARDWALK CLOSED

A Legacy of 30 Years
Built and in use since 1996, the Visitor Center boardwalk is an integral part of the Weeks Bay experience. Over the years it has endured many feats; extreme temperatures, floods, hurricanes as well as being trod upon by thousands of visitors. This frequented path is used by humans, snakes, lizards, squirrels, bobcats and more. Our boardwalk has served us well!

What to Expect
To ensure the boardwalk remains safe and sturdy far into the future, our beloved path is officially closing for a full renovation. The Visitor Center building, ground trails and Pitcher Plant Bog boardwalk will remain open.

Boardwalk Legacy
If you'd like, please share a memory, story or photo to celebrate the boardwalk. We'd love to hear from you!

Oakleaf hydrangea is in bloom at the Weeks Bay Visitor Center 🌿🌼 Native to the southeastern United States, this shrub is...
05/18/2026

Oakleaf hydrangea is in bloom at the Weeks Bay Visitor Center 🌿🌼

Native to the southeastern United States, this shrub is known for its striking oak-shaped leaves and showy, cone-shaped clusters of white flowers. You’ll often find it growing in moist woods and along stream banks, right here in our region.

Stop by and see this seasonal bloom while it lasts!

Everything went great with our controlled burn. Some small areas are still smoldering but are being monitored. The nat...
05/15/2026

Everything went great with our controlled burn. Some small areas are still smoldering but are being monitored. The nature trail at the visitor center will remain closed through the weekend, but we just now got the green light to open the boardwalk. And the pitcher plant bog boardwalk is also open.

Address

11300 US Highway 98
Fairhope, AL
36532

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12519289792

Website

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