Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is for research and education about estuaries. We have free classes, free admision to exhibits and fish tanks for all kinds of people and resources for scientists. We also have meeting rooms and other facilities for the free use by organizations with a similar mission if it's not a polical or money making activity. What is an estuary? That's where freshwater mixes with saltwater like at the mouth of a river. Puget Sound is a large estuary with many freshwater sources.