08/22/2026
*** Is it really possible that there are TEENAGERS in Maine that have NEVER visited our coast? ***
That's the question I asked myself after hearing this from teachers all around our great state. I just couldn't believe it. But it's true. There are not just kids - but TEENAGERS - who have lived here their whole life and have never visited our spectacular coast -- an amenity that, in my opinion, outclasses and outshines places like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone. (Don't tempt me, I will elaborate.) So why?! Why? Well, it's because we're blessed. We're luckier than we think. Many of these kids parents - if they're even around - can't afford food, let alone gas and travel. And we're not talking about Allagash kids (240 miles to the coast); we're talking about kids from towns like Rumford (just 80 miles, not even 2 hrs away from the ocean if you drive like I do!). Is this acceptable to anyone? Do we really think kids who haven't even seen our marine environment are going to protect it? What about all the amazing opportunities for careers that our marine environment presents - the most amazing marine environment in the world (again, happy to elaborate)? This is equally as crazy as 1-in-3 kids being 'food insecure' here. Not just totally unacceptable, but unfathomable for pretty much everybody reading this.
So this is why I write. To tell you about our effort to change this. Please read on and help me get this snowball headed even more downhill. Just by reading this, feel good; you're doing something. All any of us can do - and should do - is our part.
THE NORTH-SOUTH HERITAGE EXCHANGE PROJECT
We are introducing kids from "the north" to our magical marine environment - with kids from "the south" being the welcoming committee! To do this, we have partnered with the Department of Marine Resources (DMR), Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI), Southern Maine Community College (SMCC), Casco Bay Estuary Partnership (CBEP), Maine Maritime Academy (MMA), University of Southern Maine (USM) & others. Everyone is recognizing the massive opportunity this project is. Our marine environment represents endless learning, opportunities for careers, and is an opportunity to strengthen our heritage.
EDUCATION INCLUDES
* On-the-water introduction to the Calendar Islands (Casco Bay)
* The Complexity of Our Marine Environment
* Field education on our fishery - its history, challenges & opportunities
* Field education on the impact of climate change on the Gulf of Maine
* Introductions to career opportunities
* Visit sea farming operations
Getting kids off screens while strengthening communities, bringing people together.
