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V O L . X X V N O. X X I G I V I N G G U I D E 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0 32 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 Established: 1998 Employees: 9 year-round and 16 seasonal Annual revenue: $2,185,038 CONTACT River Bend Farm 184 Simpson Road, Saco, ME 04072 (207) 283-9951 TheEcologySchool.org EcologySchool @EcologySchoolME @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 Ecology School inspires stewardship of and connection to the natural world through experiential learning in ecology, conservation, farming, and sustainability. The Ecology School 2020 GOALS Our River Bend Farm campus opens Fall 2020! e 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. e Ecology School at River Bend Farm will become one the most sustainable environmen- tal 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. f 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 envi- ronment through the Living Building Challenge, including 105% renewable energy and use of Maine building materials. f 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. f A wide variety of new programs including conferences, retreats, overnight camps (for all ages!) and school programs will give local community mem- bers and visitors from afar the opportunity to experience sustainable living and learning in Maine. f 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 e Ecology School by visiting our website (TheEcologySchool.org), following our social media accounts, and subscribing to our newsletter. GIVING OPPORTUNITIES e 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. is regenerative design framework was developed to create spaces that, like a flower, give more to the environment than they take. Upon completion, e Ecology School will be one of the most sustainable environmental learning centers in the country. Additionally, e Ecology School provides over $250,000 in scholarships and tuition subsidies through its annual campaign to ensure all students can partici- pate 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 e Ecology School! e 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 con- servation awareness. Fundraising and Grants . . . . . . . . . . . 54% Program Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36% Other Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10% TOP FUNDING SOURCES Mary Martin Board Chair, RSU 16 School Board President, Retired Maine School Principal Drew Dumsch Founder, President and CEO SERVICE LOCATIONS The Ecology School hosts over 13,000 program participants annually from around the United States for year-round environ- mental 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.