Ferry Beach Ecology School (FBES), of Saco received the 2010 Poland Spring Natural Leader Award for cultivating environmental literacy among Maine’s young people. In 2010 alone, 4,300 Maine children from 26 schools experienced nature in the eight ecosystems identified by Ferry Beach Ecology School that are within walking distance of their campus. We believe that through hands-on environmental education, Ferry Beach is helping to raise a generation of Mainers who are engaged in the protection of local ecology and the practice of sustainability.
Poland Spring’s partnership with Ferry Beach Ecology School has spanned nearly a decade and, over that time, we’ve contributed over $155,000 to ensure that more than 800 6th grade students can participate in the Ferry Beach Ecology School three-day environmental education program. Like Ferry Beach, Poland Spring values Maine’s natural resources. We are excited to support organizations that promote environmental education, particularly for children.
Ferry Beach Ecology School wins 'natural leader' award
July 16, 2010 – Lewiston Sun Journal
More information on Poland Spring’s Good Neighbor Grant and other contributions can be found here.
Project WET (Water Education for Teachers), is a national nonprofit water education program for educators and young people ages 5-18. The program facilitates and promotes awareness, appreciation, knowledge and stewardship of water resources through classroom-ready teaching aids and the establishment of internationally sponsored Project WET programs.
Poland Spring supports Project WET in many Maine communities, using the curriculum to teach students about water, conservation and the environment. Our goal is to ensure that the next generation of Maine leaders will have the knowledge and the skills they need to protect our shared water resources.
Poland Spring’s water education team uses Project WET materials statewide:
• In the company’s Trout in the Classroom/Brookie Buddies grade school program
• With visiting groups of students, teachers and parents who tour the Poland Spring Museum in Poland
• At children’s water festivals held at the University of Maine in Orono and Portland
• At Poland Spring’s two annual “Make A Splash” festivals where 300 grade school students participate in hands-on water education activities
• Upon request from teachers statewide
This unique curriculum teaches students about the local watershed ecosystem and how water quality affects Maine’s aquatic life. Between January and May, students raise brook trout from the egg stage to fingerlings in large aquariums and then release the fish into a local, state-approved body of water.
From 2008–2010, Poland Spring provided 25 tanks, 8,400 eggs and staff time to make this program possible for more than 900 students in our host communities. To date, we have taught the Trout in the Classroom/Brookie Buddies program to 5th and 7th grade students in Poland, Minot and Mechanic Falls; Kingfield, Phillips, Stratton and Strong; Hollis and Buxton; and in Denmark, Fryeburg, Brownfield and Lovell.
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