Coastal Program Environmental Fact Sheet
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WMB-CP-18	2004

Salt marshes used as "reference" marshes for monitoring are generally as pristine as can be found today and/or include environmental conditions and biological diversity that are representative of a given region. Reference sites tend to be large expanses of salt marsh that are owned by conservation entities and are far from human development. Regional reference sites typically represent the best achievable condition for salt marshes in a given region. At present, these sites will be left unmanaged and used to determine temporal annual changes experienced at other sites. Two sites are used on Great Bay: Raynes Marsh in Exeter and Vols Island in Newmarket.

Raynes Marsh is located along the Squamscott River, just south of Great Bay, in Exeter. The Town of Rye owns this property. From Route 101 take the Route 85 exit (exit 10) toward Exeter/Newfields. Turn onto Newfields Road (Route 85 North) towards Newfields. Travel 1 mile and you will pass a red barn and field on the right. Turn left onto Sloan's Brook Road and park on Sloan's Brook Road closest to Route 85. Walk across Route 85 and make a left. Turn right at the dirt road that looks like a long driveway with a large metal structure at the far end. Follow the road until it intersects the railroad. Turn right and walk towards the silver building. Cross the railroad tracks here. There is a trail that is marked with flagging. Take this short trail to the marsh and make a left.
 
 

 
 

Vol’s Island salt marsh is located on Great Bay in Newmarket. The property is privately owned although The Nature Conservancy holds a conservation easement at the site. From Route 108 in Durham or Newmarket turn onto the loop road known as Durham Point Road (from the north end in Durham) or Bay Road (from the south end in Newmarket). There is a field on the right side approximately 7 miles from the north end of this road, or 1 mile from the south end.  Cross the field and the salt marsh is at the bottom of the hill.