As part of the 2018 Maine Audubon Grants for Teachers Program, Maine Audubon has awarded 11 classroom grants totaling $10,000 to Portland teachers. The Spring 2018 grants program was administered by the Portland Education Foundation, with whom Maine Audubon has partnered to expand funding available to schools and classrooms throughout Portland to study Maine wildlife and habitat.
Download the PEF press release (PDF).
Maine Audubon Grants for Teachers Invests $10,000 to Engage Students with Bringing Nature Home Initiative
Together with Maine Audubon, PEF has awarded $10,000 through the 2018 Maine Audubon Grants for Teachers Program. The 2018 Maine Audubon “Bringing Nature Home” Grants for Teachers Program provides funding up to $1,000 per grant to Portland Public Schools teachers who seek to engage students with Maine Audubon urban ecology programming during the 2018-2019 school year. The goal of the grants is to engage Portland students in the study and stewardship of the landscapes and habitats around them, especially as it relates to Maine plants, insects and birds.
The partnership between Maine Audubon and Portland Public Schools has spanned over two decades and the establishment of a grant program administered by PEF began in 2017. “Maine Audubon is thrilled to partner with the Portland Education Foundation to enable innovative new ways for Portland teachers and students to study wildlife and habitat, but also to practice authentic social and environmental responsibility,” said Eric Topper, Maine Audubon’s Director of Education.
PEF received 21 grant applications totaling nearly $18,000. 12 grant applications were awarded, totaling $10,000. Grants will impact students in Kindergarten through Adult Ed. Teachers at the following schools have received grants: Bayside Learning Community, Hall School, Longfellow School, Lyseth School, Ocean Avenue Elementary School, Presumpscot School, Reiche School, Lincoln Middle School, King Middle School, Deering High School, and Portland Adult Education.
Through the PEF Grant Programming, Portland educators are supported in their efforts to enrich education, innovate in the classroom, and engage the community.
“Anytime we can partner with a community organization that offers expertise and relevant engagement opportunities for our students, we are thrilled,” says Portland Public Schools Superintendent, Xavier Botana.
According to PEF Grants Committee Chair, Sarah Moran, “Partnering with Maine Audubon to bring resources to the school district aligns perfectly with the foundation’s mission.”
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For more information, please contact PEF Executive Director Kate Snyder at 207-842-4658 or kate.snyder@pefmaine.org.
