The Ecology School to Host Inaugural Governor’s Academy for Coastal Ecology
Saco, Maine (June 27, 2022) — The Ecology School is proud to announce the launching of the inaugural Governor's Academy of Coastal Ecology this summer, upon being selected as one of six recipients for new program funding from the State of Maine and Maine Department of Education. This funding is part of Governor Mill’s new Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative, a statewide initiative to increase student access to hands-on, outdoor learning experiences through educational organizations that specialize in coastal ecology and marine learning experiences.
As a recipient, The Ecology School has developed the Governor's Academy for Coastal Ecology, a new, immersive coastal ecology summer learning camp designed for Maine students entering grades 6-9. During week-long programs at The Ecology School’s River Bend Farm campus as well as numerous field trips to coastal ecosystems, up to 180 students will explore and connect with ecosystems that make up our state's unique coastline. Registration for students is free, with the goal of providing opportunities for students who do not typically have access to marine and coastal ecology learning experiences due to financial and geographic barriers. While the first and third weeks are currently at capacity, there are still a few remaining openings during the second week of the Academy, July 3-8.
Drew Dumsch, President and CEO of The Ecology School, shares, “Governor Mills’ new Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative Program is such a breath of fresh air for Maine kids and for innovative education throughout the state. Through the support of the Maine Department of Education, hundreds of Maine kids will have access to hands-on educational experiences this summer to get them outside exploring Maine’s amazing diversity of coastal ecosystems. The Ecology School is proud of be partnering with the Maine Department of Education to offer three sessions of the new Governor’s Academy for Coastal Ecology this July at our River Bend Farm campus in Saco.”
The Academy will combine the best of Maine summer camp with rigorous coastal ecology academics where the students and teaching staff live & learn together for six days and five nights, sharing field adventure, camp activities and meals together. The Academy is committed to modeling environmental stewardship as well as providing outstanding hospitality through comfortable lodging in a Living Building Challenge state of the art green dormitory building and serving delicious meals made from scratch with many items grown on our farm. The Academy’s field lessons will focus on our unique teaching style developed over our 23-year history of field ecology, ecosystem-based teaching. Academy students will develop close ties to their surroundings and each other, while engaging in the immersive study of Maine coastal ecology.
About The Ecology School
The Ecology School has made the study of ecology and the practice of sustainability accessible and enjoyable for over 188,000 children and adults since 1998. The school’s groundbreaking southern Maine environmental living and learning campus at River Bend Farm– the first of its kind nationally and globally– provides innovative programs where you can live, learn, and study on a beautiful 105-acre farm with trails, farm fields, and forests along the Saco River. For more information, please visit www.theecologyschool.org.