2021 Goals
Our River Bend Farm campus opens in Winter 2021! The Ecology School has embarked upon a $14.1 million construction project to transform our new home at River Bend Farm, a 105-acre farm located on a scenic bend in the Saco River. The move will propel our educational initiatives by increasing program capacity and providing “live what you learn” opportunities for participants through hands-on exploration of Maine’s ecosystems, sustainable living practices, direct connection to food systems and farming along with modeling conservation-in-action. The Ecology School at River Bend Farm will become one the most sustainable environmental learning centers in the country, modeling a community living in balance with nature.
- A 7,000-square-foot dining commons and 9,000-square-foot dormitory will be two of the most sustainable buildings in the United States.
- The buildings will use more than 200,000 board feet of local Maine Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified lumber, produce 105% net positive energy through 718 on-site solar panels, and house a combustion-free kitchen (the first of its kind in the country).
- A farming program based on ecological principles (agroecology including permaculture design and organic farming practices) will provide hands-on learning opportunities for youth and adults to farm, harvest, and eat.
- To support distance learning in 2020, our Program Team quickly adapted, funneling their programmatic excellence and energetic teaching styles into Nature Nuggets. These biweekly, easy-to-do outdoor activities are mini-lessons taken directly from our award-winning curriculum. We’ve been overwhelmed with the success of Nature Nuggets — over 25,300 views on the 18 short videos!
- The Ecology School stands as a ready partner and resource for schools. We are proven experts in outdoor learning with 20-plus years of experience in outdoor classroom management, nature-based curriculum development, and integrating NGSS standards into these initiatives.
Fundraising Events/Opportunities
The Ecology School will continue to monitor and follow the safety guidelines outlined by the State of Maine when offering opportunities for community members and volunteers to participate in environmentally-focused activities, classes, programs, and engagement events at River Bend Farm in 2020 and beyond.
Giving Opportunities
The Ecology School has $1.2 million left in our Capital Campaign to fund the construction of a Maine’s first Living Building Challenge certified structures—a dormitory and dining commons devoted to environmental and sustainable education. Design and construction adhere to the strict standards of the Living Building Challenge, the world’s most rigorous proven performance standard for buildings. This regenerative design framework was developed to create spaces that, like a flower, give more to the environment than they take. Upon completion, The Ecology School will be one of the most sustainable environmental learning centers in the country.
The Ecology School provides over $250,000 in scholarships and tuition subsidies through its annual campaign to ensure all students can participate in programming.
Help us teach people to thrive using the power of the outdoors! Make a gift to The Ecology School at River Bend Farm: TheEcologySchool.org/Capital-Campaign
Volunteer Opportunities
Businesses who seek to volunteer, partner, and collaborate with an innovative and community-focused environmental education non-profit should reach out to The Ecology School! We host on-site volunteer days at River Bend Farm where groups can participate in farming and gardening projects, ecological research, and assist in maintaining biodiversity on the property through stewardship work and conservation awareness.
