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March 2025
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Educating students and communities about the connections
between the ocean, inland water, and economy of Maine.
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Dear Friends,
In a time of great uncertainty, please know that Herring Gut is determined to stay on the path of our mission; “Educating students and communities about the connections between the ocean, inland waters, and economy of Maine.” We are facing unforeseen challenges but will continue to provide the education and scientifically-based outreach we know our communities need.
Spring will be teasing us a bit this week, with gradually warming temperatures. We are staying warm at Herring Gut with a new tank for our horseshoe crab and a greenhouse that is overflowing. This past week we worked with students from North Haven on a new project investigating microplastics in the environment with the Farnsworth Art Museum's “Arts@the Intersection” program.
Upcoming classes include a six-week course with RSU 13 Oceanside Middle School Gifted & Talented on ocean plastics and “Anadromous Alewives” course originated by our Fresh to Salt: Flowing Together program with the Giving Tree Learning Center. We will be working with students in Warren, Rockland, Lincolnville, RSU 13 Elementary, and St. George MSU. Learn more about Fresh to Salt classroom and teacher development opportunities at https://freshtosalt.org/.
Our staff attended the Maine Fishermen’s Forum last week. This year they celebrated 50 years of creating a space for fishermen, scientists, policy makers, students, and the public to convene and discuss the many challenges and opportunities in the blue economy. We stand with the Maine Sea Grant program which supports everyone involved in the Maine marine world; federal plans to defund Sea Grant would have lasting impacts on fishermen and fisheries.
With spring comes our spring online auction. Support of local businesses and community members is critical to our success. We invite you to donate to our 4th Annual Online Auction: Sunday, April 13 - 27, 2025. If you have an item, service, or experience you would like to donate, please complete this form or contact us at info@herringgut.org and we will follow-up with you. The spring auction and any donations we receive this spring are especially needed to help offset the discontinuation of Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative funding which allowed us to offer free programs and summer camps to Maine Residents. This year we must charge to provide camps, and that means some students will be unable to participate. Please consider donating and designate “for camper support” in the comment section.
We wish to thank you for your support that will guarantee we succeed in 2025! There are many deserving non-profits across the state to choose from, in fact one out of every six Mainers works for a non-profit! Together we will explore our watersheds and connected coastal environments, share this knowledge with everyone, and solve our pressing challenges.
The Sea, the Future, and Us!
Sarah D. Oktay, PhD
Executive Director |
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SUMMER CAMPS |
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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS |
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Herring Gut had an exciting February! On Valentine’s Day, our ‘Wintern’ Hazel Ragozzine finished their internship strong, hosting a Love in the Ocean program. Participants made ocean-themed valentines while learning about the weird and wonderful ways animals in the ocean find love. Monhegan Island students popped in for a touch tank tour! Herring Gut was busy at the Winter Open House. Many folks stopped in for touch tank and greenhouse exploration, crafts, and hot chocolate. Remember–Herring Gut Coastal Science Center is open year-round for touch tank tours Monday through Friday, 8-4. Finally, we piloted new microplastics programming with North Haven students in the annual Arts at the Intersection program with Farnsworth Art Museum. Students surveyed and sieved South End Beach sand and water for plastics. They examined and identified samples in the lab. Students will integrate their new microfiber knowledge into creating a unique art piece with fiber artist Tori Marsh! Be sure to check out the exhibit at the Farnsworth once it’s up! We have some exciting school and community programs coming up at HGCSC!
March 13: Cabin Fever Series with deep sea researcher Dr. Lauren Rice: Join us for some pizza and pelican eels at 6 pm!
Spring: Keep an eye out for polar bears, corals, and octopuses at local libraries when Aquatots returns for spring programming (dates TBD)!
April 2: Needle Felting with HG aquarist Ava Travis. This needle felting workshop features colorful sea slugs. Learn about these nudibranchs from Maine and beyond while building a wooly one to take home!
April 23: Teachers: Learn how to collect data in the outdoors with your students at HG’s professional development workshop! Learn and earn a stipend for teaching kids outside. You can register and find out more at herringgut.org.
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COMMUNITY PROGRAMS |
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Needle Felting with Ava |
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Coming Soon! |
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HERRING GUT COASTAL SCIENCE CENTER IS A
501 (c) (3) MAINE PUBLIC CHARITY |
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59 Factory Road, PO Box 286, Port Clyde, Maine 04855
herringgut.org 207-372-8677
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