Boothbay Sea & Science Center

The Harpswell Heritage Land Trust exists to preserve the natural and cultural resources of Harpswell; to educate and promote the study and understanding of local natural, architectural and cultural resources; to use all resources of the Trust for the benefits of the inhabitants of the Harpswell region; and to cooperate with other organizations dedicated to the achievement of the same purposes. As of the end of 2007, the Trust had conserved 256 acres of lands through its 11 preserves lands the Trust owns and 956 acres through its 18 conservation easements on privately owned lands. The Trust holds preservation easements on five historic structures. The Trust also sponsors a variety of educational and recreational events for the community, runs an annual Nature Day Camp for kids, and a Community Gardens Program. Operating with a volunteer Board of Trustees and a part-time Executive Director and supported by membership contributions and volunteers, the Trust continues to pursue new projects designed to protect Harpswell's special places and to provide public access to Harpswell's natural world. Harpswell Heritage Trust was incorporated in 1983 by the Harpswell Historical Society. Its initial purpose was to serve as a vehicle to acquire a preservation easement on the historic Tarr-Hackett House in Harpswell Center. That house, having been purchased by the Historical Society, was sold with facade easements. The money from the sale was dedicated to a revolving acquisition fund for the new land trust. For nine years the Trust played a supporting role to the Historical Society, which controlled the governance and the funds of the Trust through an interlocking Board of Directors. After the success of the Tarr-Hackett project in 1983, the Trust progressed steadily through the 1980's acquiring 5 new easements and 1 new preserve. As the land conservation movement in Maine and across the nation became more active, the directors realized that the missions of the two organizations were quite different. The decision was made to separate the two. The independent Harpswell Heritage Trust came into being in 1992 with its first town-wide membership drive. At first board members acted as staff, pursuing conservation projects and developing membership. In 1999 the word "Land" was inserted in the Trust's name to reflect its primary activity of preserving lands. With part-time administrative assistance, a membership database was set up and notebooks were developed for each Trust property. The conservation work of the Trust continued throughout this period with the acquisition of 4 preserves and 6 easements. In 2001 the Trust hired its first Executive Director. In 2002, after working out of private homes for many years, the Trust rented its first office space in Harpswell Center. Prevailing on the generosity of the Elijah Kellogg Church, board and annual meetings were held in the church's parish hall. In 2004, due to the sale of the rented office space, the Trust moved its headquarters to a rented room in the Homes and Harbors office building on Orr's Island. Conservation projects undertaken during this time included 4 new preserves and 3 new easements. In 2006, the Trust received a gift of a 1.5 acre lot in North Harpswell on which the Trust began construction of a permanent home. Besides an office and small conference room, the Trust building contains a community meeting room for Trust educational events and programs and for use by other community groups. In 2006, the Trust also acquired one new preserve and one new easement, and initiated its Community Gardens Program. In 2007, the Trust completed construction on its permanent home and converted one of its easements into its 11th preserve. Over the years Trust has undertaken a variety of educational events and programs. In 1998 the Trust opened the Explore Harpswell Nature Day Camp. Held annually for children ages 7 to 11, the camp uses Trust and other properties to introduce the campers to the

The Apprentice Shop, founded in 1972 by educator Lance Lee, serves as a community hub for traditional boat building and seamanship in Rockland, Maine. This educational nonprofit organization is dedicated to inspiring personal growth through craftsmanship, fostering skills that empower individuals to navigate an ever-changing world. Rooted in the philosophy of Kurt Hahn, The Apprentice Shop emphasizes the blend of thought and action in education, utilizing the transformative power of boat building as a means for students and apprentices to explore their personal potential. Over the years, hundreds of apprentices, interns, and volunteers have passed through its doors, leaving with enriched experiences and newfound skills. Generated from the website

Children's Odyssey in Falmouth, ME, offers a rich, engaging environment where children learn through active participation in hands-on, multimodal experiences and social interactions. With a focus on intentional and incidental teaching, the organization fosters individual growth while nurturing a sense of belonging within the group. The mission of Children's Odyssey is to provide high-quality, structured programming for children of varied developmental levels, emphasizing creativity in activities that cater to individual learning styles, needs, and interests. They celebrate diversity in culture, background, gender, and abilities, ensuring each child's potential is respected and nurtured. Generated from the website