Welcome to the Home of the Great Bay Stewards!

The Great Bay Stewards is a New Hampshire non-profit whose mission is the long-term protection and conservation of the Great Bay estuarine system by supporting education, land protection, research and stewardship of Great Bay.

Learn more about what we do

Open Water Acreage in the Great Bay Reserve

New Hampshire Wastewater Treatment Plants That Discharge into Great Bay

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New Hampshire Population Living in a Coastal Zone Municipality

Average Annual Winter Waterfowl Count on Great Bay

A Seacoast Treasure.

The Great Bay Reserve is part of the Great Bay Estuary, a complex embayment and New Hampshire’s largest estuarine system. Fed by the tidal waters of the Piscataqua River that forms the boundary between Maine and New Hampshire, the estuary offers a variety of diverse habitats including eelgrass beds, mudflats, salt marsh, rocky intertidal, and upland forest and fields. The Reserve begins at the General Sullivan Bridge at Dover Point, seven miles from the mouth of the Piscataqua River and the Gulf of Maine. The Reserve encompasses 10,235 acres, including approximately 7,300 acres of open water and wetlands. All of Great Bay and Little Bay are contained within the Reserve boundary as well as the tidal portions of five major river systems – Bellamy, Oyster, Lamprey, Squamscott and Winnicut. Great Bay’s cultural history is equally diverse, from paleo-Indian villages 6,000 years ago to early colonial settlements and industrial development. The effort to save Great Bay began in the face of a proposed oil refinery by Aristotle Onassis in 1973. The project was defeated by overwhelming public opposition. Today, people continue to be concerned with the long-term protection of Great Bay so future generations can discover and enjoy its natural resources.

Stewards Sponsored Programs and Events

Great Bay 5K

Great Bay 5K

The Great Bay 5K is an annual fundraiser for the Great Bay Stewards, in support of the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and the Great Bay Discovery Center.
Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

The Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (GBNERR) is part of a national network of protected areas and promotes long-term research, education and stewardship throughout the Great Bay estuary and is supported by the Great Bay Stewards, a non-profit friends group.
Great Bay Art Show

Annual Art of Great Bay

Each year, the Great Bay Stewards hosts an annual Art Show with proceeds supporting the Great Bay.

Miles of Tidal Shoreline

Endangered Species in the Reserve Habitat

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Decrease in Oyster Population 1997 thru 2009

Approximate Number of Square Miles Covered at High Tide

Acres of Eelgrass lost since 1996

Boat ramps providing recreational boating access to the Great Bay

Bird Species that rely on the Great Bay Habitat

Gallons of water filtered per day by a single oyster

Help us to conserve this important resource.

Support or Become a Member of the Great Bay Stewards Today!