Discretionary Education Grants

Coordinator

Theresa Torrent-Ellis, Coastal Educator and Communications Coordinator, (Theresa.Torrent-Ellis@maine.gov; 207-287-2351)

Goal

To fund educational efforts relating to Maine coastal issues and projects which relate to greater ocean literacy.

Benefits

Provides small grant funding for a variety of coastal education and outreach efforts.

Participants

2006

Rippleffect - Ocean Literacy Trail

2007

Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center - Oyster Gardening Program
Maine Island Trail Association - Island Cleanup and Data Collection Initiative
Gulf of Maine Marine Educators Association - National Marine Educators Conference sponsorship
The Lobster Conservancy - Lobster Literacy: Lobster Nursery Mapping Project
MDI Water Quality Coalition - Support for the Hancock Co Youth Watershed Forum

2008

Pemaquid Watershed Association - Enhance educational programming for the Beachcombers' Rest Nature Center
Medomak Valley Land Trust - Community based watershed education programming and water quality monitoring of the Medomak watershed.
Maine Island Trail Association - Support of Trail Guide and development of an Ocean Literacy education component.
City of Augusta - Support of the Spring Running Event and education of the community on watersheds and diadromous fish habitat
Oceans Wide

Funding

Is part of our NOAA grant. Approximately 10,000 is available each year for these grants.

Timeframe

Ongoing as available

Results

Supporting a diverse range of coastal education and ocean stewardship efforts.

For example, in 2007 Maine Island Trail Association used their grant to fund four separate island cleanups with the aim of gaining a better understanding of the make-up of shoreline flotsam. As a result, MITA gained a better understanding of the sources of waterborne trash along the Maine coast and plans a public education effort to reduce this pollution.

Further Information

n/a

Maine Coastal Program