SACO, ME

Since 1998, The Ecology School has brought innovative ecology education programs to thousands of children throughout New England and nationwide. We accentuate the magic, mystery and wonder of nature so that students can better understand and care for the environment. The Ecology School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

River Bend Farm will enrich our food systems education program by replacing our current half-acre demonstration garden at our current rented Ferry Beach site with a 105-acre organic farm with fields of produce, livestock, and orchards. We plan to deeply expand programming in agroecology, the practice of ecology through the lens of sustainable agriculture and food systems.

We will weave the facilities at River Bend Farm into our curriculum and lessons on sustainability by adhering to the Living Building Challenge guidelines, “the most advanced measure of sustainability in the built environment possible today.” By these standards, our new campus will include Maine’s greenest buildings and will become the nation’s most sustainable residential environmental learning center. By design, our facilities will inspire students and visitors, and support conservation of the surrounding Saco River watershed.