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Sponsored by: The Ecology School
Updated: September 23, 2019 2019 Giving Guide

The Ecology School

2020 Goals

Our River Bend Farm campus opens Fall 2020! The Ecology School has embarked upon a $12.56 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 Ecology School at River Bend Farm will become one the most sustainable environmental learning centers in the country and an ecological model that everyone will be inspired by. With financing from CEI, the USDA Rural Development, and a robust Capital Campaign, we are over 90% of the way to our funding goal. We are looking for friends and supporters to join us in raising our last $1.2 million over the next year.

  • A 7,000 sq. ft. dining commons and 9,000 sq. ft. dormitory will meet the most advanced and rigorous measures of sustainability in the built environment through the Living Building Challenge, including 105% renewable energy and use of Maine building materials.
  • 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.
  • A wide variety of new programs including conferences, retreats, overnight camps (for all ages!) and school programs will give local community members and visitors from afar the opportunity to experience sustainable living and learning in Maine.
  • Collaboration with other community organizations, institutions, businesses, professionals, and more as River Bend Farm serves as a hub for ecology and sustainability research and education.

Fundraising events/Opportunities

Opportunities for community members and volunteers to participate in environmentally-focused activities, classes, programs, and engagement events will be plentiful when River Bend Farm is completed in Fall 2020.

Keep up to date with progress and opportunities to engage with The Ecology School by visiting our website (TheEcologySchool.org), following our social media accounts, and subscribing to our newsletter.

Giving Opportunities

The Ecology School is in the midst of a $1.2 million Capital Campaign to fund the construction of a Living Building Challenge certified dormitory and dining commons at River Bend Farm. Building design and construction will 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.

Additionally, The Ecology School provides over $250,000 in scholarships and tuition subsidies through its annual campaign to ensure all students can participate in programming.

Please consider an investment in the future of environmental education by donating 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! The Ecology School hosts on-site volunteer days at River Bend Farm where groups can participate in ecological research and assist in maintaining biodiversity on the property through stewardship work and conservation awareness.

Leadership

Drew Dumsch: Founder, President and CEO
Mary Martin: Board Chair, RSU 16 School Board President, Retired Maine School Principal

Board officers

John Rooks: Board Vice Chair; President, The SOAP Group

Steven Grindle: Board Treasurer; Managing Partner, Grindle Robinson LLP

Linda Boudreau: Board Secretary; Planning Board Member, City of South Portland


Board Members

Robert Adkins: Board Director

Catherine Goodwin: Board Director

Mike Hansen: Board Director

Corey Hascall: Board Director

Abby Humphrey: Board Director

Amanda Magee: Board Director

Tom Merrill: Board Director

Amy Ouellette: Board Director

Susan Swanton: Board Director

Richard Mersereau: Board Advisor

At a glance

Established: 1998
Employees: 9 year-round and 16 seasonal
Annual revenue: $2,185,038

Top funding sources

Fundraising and Grants: 54%
Program Income: 36%
Other Income: 10%

Contact

River Bend Farm
184 Simpson Road,
Saco, ME 04072
(207) 283-9951

TheEcologySchool.org
www.facebook.com/EcologySchool
www.twitter.com/EcologySchoolME
www.instagram.com/TheEcologySchool

Awards/Accolades

Partner 2018–2019, Residential Environmental Education Partnership: A nationwide collaborative, organized by NatureBridge, to work through the question of how to most effectively incorporate Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) frameworks, research, and preferred practices into residential environmental education (EE) programming.

The Ecology School’s Director of Programs, Alex Grindle, elected as 2018/2019 Board President of the Maine Environmental Education Association

First organization in the country to submit a complete “Living Building Community” Master Plan to the International Living Future Institute

Mission Statement

The Maine Association of Nonprofits is a statewide, membership organization championing Maine nonprofits. Our mission is to enrich the quality of community and personal life in Maine by strengthening the leadership, voice and organizational effectiveness of our state’s nonprofits.

Service Locations

The Ecology School hosts over 13,000 program participants annually from around the United States for year-round environmental education opportunities including overnight and day programs for schools, outreach programs, conferences, retreats, professional development, and camps. The majority of school year programming is provided to school districts in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Vermont. In 2018, 75 New England schools partnered with The Ecology School to integrate experiential, innovative ecology and sustainability programs into their science curricula including 31 Maine schools and 8,377 Maine students.