LibGuides: Community-Based Environmental Learning: Home

What is Community-Based Environmental Learning?

The Census of Community-Based Environmental Learning in Maine, a project of the Maine Math and Science Alliance (MMSA) and the Maine Environmental Education Association (MEEA) defines

Community-Based Environmental Learning as including any educational initiative, occurring in either in-school settings or out-of-school time settings, that works to educate youth about their environment while connecting them to their communities. These learning experiences do not necessarily have to take place outdoors, but they do need to connect to locally relevant content. There are numerous terms for this type of learning, including “Nature-Based Education,” “Environmental Education,” and “Place-Based Education.”

Community-Based Environmental Learning in Maine

In October 2022, The Maine Department of Education released the Maine Environmental Literacy Plan in collaboration with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, the Maine Environmental Education Association, Maine Audubon, and the Environmental Living and Learning for Maine Students (ELLMS) Project. The Maine Environmental Literacy Plan outlines a vision of environmental literacy for our state and a plan for a coordinated statewide effort to strengthen environmental education and outdoor learning as a critical piece of every youth’s educational journey. The Plan further explains that

"A healthy, sustainable Maine is dependent upon the intentional development and common understanding of environmental literacy as the ability to recognize the components of healthy natural and human built systems and to execute the actions necessary to maintain, restore, and improve them."

The Maine DOE also supports the development of place-based learning as a means to achieve interdisciplinary education. Outdoor learning is recognized as an innovative learning model supported by Rethinking Remote Education Ventures (RREV) program, with projects features on EnGiNE, an online hub designed to engage innovation in education across Maine.

Local Partners

Friends of Scarborough Marsh
The Friends of Scarborough Marsh is a nonprofit coalition of concerned citizens, landowners, businesses, state and federal agencies, environmental organizations, and others. We have in common our love for the Scarborough Marsh and our commitment to safeguard it for generations to come.
Scarborough Land Trust
Scarborough Land Trust conserves land for people, for wildlife – forever. With community support, SLT has conserved over 1,600 acres to date, including a 434-acre landmark farm in western Scarborough, lands along the renowned Scarborough Marsh, and the land and viewshed of the Winslow Homer Studio on Prouts Neck.
Maine Audubon
Since 1843, Maine Audubon has worked to conserve Maine’s wildlife and wildlife habitat by engaging people in education, conservation, and action. The oldest and largest Maine-based conservation organization, Maine Audubon has eight public centers and sanctuaries across the state, seven chapters, and 30,000 members, volunteers, and supporters, and connects with more than 250,000 people annually.
Portland Water District
Education is a critical part of protecting Sebago Lake, the source of drinking water for a sixth of Maine. The Portland Water District provides education and outreach to visitors and residents of the Sebago Lake Watershed and to our customers.

Scarborough Community

Wentworth School Garden

Photo courtesy Monique Culberston

Wentworth School Garden

Photo courtesy Monique Culbertson