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Sponsored by: The Ecology School
Updated: September 27, 2021 2021 Giving Guide

The Ecology School

Service locations

The Ecology School hosts program participants from around the United States for year-round learning experiences focused on environmental and sustainability education. These include overnight and day programs for schools; conferences, retreats, and professional development opportunities; and overnight summer camps for youth.

In spring 2021, The Ecology School’s Learning Experiences Team taught in-person programs to 688 students in grades 2 through 7 at Maine and New Hampshire schools.

Teacher Institute for Watershed Science and Conservation sponsored by Poland Spring, took place in August 2021, bringing 65 K-8 educators from 17 states around the country to The Ecology School’s River Bend Farm campus for four days of professional development.

This fall The Ecology School partnered with North Spore and MOFGA to host Mycology Outside, a weekend foraging cooking, cultivating, and learning about mushrooms.

In early 2021 The Ecology School gained a multi-national audience when it launched a free online learning platform—EcologyOnline, sponsored by Poland Spring. EcologyOnline is designed to take the student—no matter their age—away from their screens and engage with the outdoors. With lessons designed to meet Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), this online curriculum is crafted to give structure to time spent outside. www.EcologyOnline.org


2022 Goals

  • The Ecology School completed its $14.1 million Campaign to build the new River Bend Farm Campus in April 2021, thanks to the generosity and vision of donors from around the country and financing from USDA RD and CEI. River Bend Farm, home of The Ecology School, is now open! Early 2021 marks an incredible spot in the history of climate action for the state, as Maine becomes home to two of the most environmentally friendly buildings in the world, built to the rigorous standards of the Living Building Challenge.
  • Launch our 2022 Summer Overnight Camps! The Ecology School is pre-registering youth and families for its inaugural summer of overnight camps in 2022.
  • Invite businesses, organizations, and groups to live and learn at River Bend Farm. The Ecology School campus is now open to provide an impactful overnight experience (conference, retreat, professional development, etc.) at one of Maine’s most beautiful farms, River Bend Farm.
  • Expand AgroEcology farming operations. Produce grown organically on-site is used in from scratch meals for our program participants and staff. Surplus is donated to local food pantries.
  • Please note all programs adhere to COVID guidelines and protocols, TheEcologySchool.org/Covid-Safety

Giving Opportunities

By attending a workshop, organizing a retreat, registering your child for summer camp, signing up to volunteer, or advocating for your child’s school to attend a program, you are contributing to The Ecology School!

Leadership

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

Board officers

Tom Merrill, Board Vice Chair: Retired Attorney

Amanda Magee, Board Treasurer: CFO, Curtis Industries, LLC

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


Board Members

Robert Adkins, Board Director: Retired Attorney

Abby Humphrey Coit, Board Director: Entrepreneur and Educator, Morning at the Market

Catherine Goodwin, Board Director: Retired, Former State Office Representative for U.S. Senator Collins

Steven Grindle, Board Director: Managing Partner, Grindle Robinson LLP

Mike Hansen, Board Director: The Ecology School Educator Alumnus, Classroom Teacher/Environmental Educator

Corey Hascall, Board Director: Vice President of Alumni & Public Engagement, USM Foundation

Kristin Hunter-Thomson, Board Director: The Ecology School Educator Alumna, Owner at Dataspire Education & Evaluation LLC

Coleman Lapointe, Board Director: Strategic Planning Specialist, General Dynamics - Bath Iron Works

Amy Ouellette, Board Director: Retired Psychiatrist

Sanjay Patel, Board Director: CEO, Perpetuating, Inc

Susan Swanton, Board Director: Retired, Executive Director of Maine Maritime Trade Association

At a Glance:

Established: 1998
Employees: 12 FTE
Annual revenue: $2,540,000

Top funding sources

97.6% Fundraising and Grants
1.9% Other Income
0.5% Program Income

Throughout 2020, The Ecology School earned no revenue from programming due to COVID restrictions. Despite this, the organization proved highly resilient as staff built alternative options to accessible ecology education. They created online platforms (EcologyOnline.org & Nature Nuggets on YouTube) to reach quarantined students and parents and to provide curriculum assistance to teachers; taught “outreach” programs virtually; advised schools on outdoor classroom set-up; and provided direction for successful outdoor lesson applications.

Contact

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

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

Mission Statement

The Ecology School inspires stewardship of and connection to the natural world through experiential learning in ecology, conservation, farming, and sustainability.

Awards / Accolades

In March 2020, The Ecology School was recognized and honored as the first in the world to complete the Living Community Challenge Vision and Master Plan Compliance, a hard-earned official approval step in the process of becoming a Living Community, a program of the International Living Future Institute.

Drew Dumsch, The Ecology School’s President & CEO, chosen for Mainebiz’s 2020 Next List

Eco-Excellence Award Winner by ecomaine, 2021