Testimony in Support of LD 1682, An Act to Create the Maine Experiential Education Program Senator Ingwersen, Representative Pluecker, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, my name is Vanessa Berry. I am the Sustainable Maine Outreach Coordinator for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). I appreciate this opportunity Read More
education
From Strawberries to Oysters: Changing Priorities During Pandemic
Over the past year and a half, we have all been forced to rethink our life’s priorities, for better or for worse. Some got in touch with activities they had put aside years ago — music, art, reading, exercise, cooking — some picked up entirely new activities, some found a new love of working from Read More
Full Circle School Lunch: From Compost to Farm to Table
The Sebago Elementary School students had a very special Maine harvest lunch. The wonderful kitchen staff prepared roasted root vegetables made from locally sourced beets, carrots, and potatoes. For dessert, apples from Douglas Hill Orchard, owned by the Lucy family, were made into a delicious apple crisp. The most special part of this fantastic meal Read More
8 Great Kids’ Distance Learning Nature Resources by Maine Organizations
Let’s face it. It’s really not easy being a parent right now. Antsy children missing their friends and the stability of school combined with the pressure to home school compounded by what’s been less-than-ideal weather—it’s all adding up. As Mainers we get great pleasure from immersing our kids in nature, whether it’s showing them the Read More
All Saints Catholic School Students Study Salmon
The Natural Resources Council of Maine awarded grants to six Maine middle schools through our “Engaging Maine Middle School Students in Protecting the Nature of Maine” program, which we started in 2015. Each of the schools began their projects in early 2020, though due to the COVID-19 pandemic, schools, of course, have gone to online learning, Read More
“Let’s Find Out” about Green Crabs at Downeast Institute
The Natural Resources Council of Maine awarded grants to six Maine middle schools through our “Engaging Maine Middle School Students in Protecting the Nature of Maine” program, which we started in 2015. Each of the schools began their projects in early 2020, though due to the COVID-19 pandemic, schools, of course, have gone to online Read More
What I Learn by Watching Middle Schoolers Learn about the Nature of Maine
There are few classrooms that are as enthusiastic and as engaged as the Middle School students I have seen who are working together on their own environmental grant projects. The students who work on these projects are focused on a specific issue of importance to their school and within their community and are able to Read More
Maine’s Environment and Middle School Students: Thoughts from NRCM’s School Intern
As I wrap up my internship with the Natural Resource Council of Maine, I can’t help but to reflect on the incredible experiences I had while working as the School Project Intern. NRCM and this internship gave me the opportunity to not only meet and connect with 10 different middle school classes and teachers across Read More
Black Bear Nature Trail Open for Community Thanks to Strong Elementary Students
Before the school year ended, we have had a busy week on the trail. The weather was finally on our side. We ordered a two-yard load of crushed rock to hold the cedar posts. Logan and Max dug two different two-feet deep holes with a spade that Brandon’s family loaned us. Logan had to remove Read More
