Our Vision
“We bring the estuary alive for every child in the KELT region.”
As a land trust, we work hard to protect our home for future generations. You’ll find education is written right into our mission: to conserve, restore, and instill appreciation of the land and water resources of the Kennebec Estuary.
Photo by Lisa Francesca Gallo
Experiential Education
“We offer experiential programming in the classroom, and bring students outside for hands-on learning.”
We partner with local schools and community organizations to connect students to the wonders of the Kennebec Estuary. By the time they are in 8th grade, they have experienced the beauty of their local trails, local watershed, and best of Maine coastline – and learned how to protect it.
Outside of school programs, we offer public education in the form of outdoor events - so everyone, regardless of age or ability, can deepen their relationship to the Kennebec Estuary! Join us at our annual Clam Day, on a winter Owl Prowl, on a Salamander Meander, or at dozens of other events we host throughout the year.
Venues
“KELT educators are happy to join you inside your classroom, or even better - outside school walls! ”
We can host field trips to our local preserves, and have a close relationship with some pretty magical teaching spaces - Reid State Park and Popham Beach State Park are frequent outings.
We particularly love to use our Thorne Head Preserve, Whiskeag Trail, Merrymeeting Fields, Sewell Woods, Greenpoint Preserve, Lilly Pond Community Forest, and Segerstrom Preserve.
Photo by Lisa Francesca Gallo
Our Core School Curriculum
Parent and Baby in the Garden (summer)
Southern Maine Forest Playgroup (monthly, all year)
Storybook Trails on KELT Preserves (monthly, all year)
KELT Kids Summer Day Camp (summer)
1st grade: Garden Planting LOCAL Garden (spring)
2nd grade: Garden Harvest LOCAL Garden (fall)
3rd grade: Vernal Pools/Pond Explore Outdoor at your school/KELT Preserve (spring)
4th grade: SALTY Series In Classroom series at your school. Includes 2 dissections! (winter)
5th grade: Salamander Monitoring & Climate Change KELT Preserve (spring or fall)
6th grade: Trail Stewardship Outdoor at your school (spring or fall)
7th grade: What’s in the Water: Clams, Tidepools, Green Crabs Reid State Park (fall)
8th grade: Connection and Reflection at Morse Mountain Shortridge and Morse Mountain (fall)