Nestled on a 313-acre property overlooking the Saco River, The Ecology School offers an educational experience unlike any other. Located on the traditional land of the Sokokis Tribe of the Pequawket people of the Wabanaki Confederacy, this unique institution immerses students in the wonders of ecology through hands-on, experiential learning.
Here, students don’t walk around with textbooks or glass beakers. Instead, they live the science they learn about, eating food harvested directly from the land, practicing water conservation, and sleeping in an environment powered by renewable energy. Every day, they breathe clean air, hear birds sing, and observe a bustling habitat that supports a myriad of life forms.
The school’s diverse programs cater to various age groups and interests, from day and overnight summer camps to immersive school programs. One of their standout offerings is the EcosySTEM program, a multi-year initiative designed to provide hands-on ecological education to students from kindergarten through eighth grade. This program culminates in a capstone overnight experience at River Bend Farm, where students can consolidate their learning through direct interaction with nature.
However, The Ecology School’s mission extends beyond educating children; they also offer a rich array of adult education programs and gathering spaces. Company retreats and educator workshops are especially popular, allowing groups to stay overnight in cozy yurts, kayak on the Saco River, take snowshoe walks in the woods, and most importantly, connect with one another. These opportunities bring more people to River Bend Farm, and help bring the lessons of regenerative science to classrooms across America.
Additionally, all programming – for students and adults – is done with sustainability at its core. Seven-hundred and twelve solar panels on-site provide 105% of the energy required, and the dormitories and dining commons are built to the specifications of the Living Building Challenge, just to highlight a couple of their key initiatives.
Also central to The Ecology School is its farm, a diversified vegetable production field that includes holistic orchards, productive hayfields, and woodlands. In 2022, the farm harvested 5,994 pounds of produce, providing over 27,000 meals in their Poland Spring Education and Dining Commons. Notably, one-third of the produce—1,770 pounds—was donated to feed the local community, in collaboration with the York County Shelters Program.
For more information about The Ecology School and River Bend Farm: https://theecologyschool.org/
As a Benefit Corporation, Androscoggin Bank is always looking for business clients who share our values and boast great cultures. The Ecology School exemplifies this tenfold, and our relationship with them shows how financial institutions can support meaningful and impactful work. Our 2022 contribution of $25k towards one of their Learning Yurts underscores this support and we pledge to sustain this relationship well into the future.
Androscoggin Bank Director of Corporate Impact, Chris Lyon, added, “Having The Ecology School as a client is incredibly meaningful for us here. Their commitment to sustainability, education, and community aligns perfectly with our core values. We are so proud to support an organization that is making a profound impact on students and educators and are honored to be a small part of their journey.”
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