Skip to content

THRIVE OUTSIDE Maine

The Thrive Outside Maine Community is led by the Nature Based Education Consortium (NBEC) together with a diverse network of partners strengthening an existing statewide network of nonprofit, philanthropic, and business partners. Maine is a rural state known to many as an outdoor oasis, and yet many of those living in the state are not accessing the outdoors on a regular basis. An expansive group of partners has planned an ambitious set of programs to connect more of the state’s children and families with nature. Two key strategies of this effort include creating Maine GearShare, an equipment lending system that will serve outdoor-based nonprofits; and further building out a Maine Outdoor Equity Fund. A goal of the Fund will be to increase the number of BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and differently-abled leaders able to start or grow organizations to serve more of their communities. The reach of these initiatives is broad and intended to support under-resourced communities in both rural and urban settings around the state.

Thrive Outside Maine Community Partners
KEY FOCUS AREAS
Stories for Change working group, Maine GearShare library, advocacy to regrant Outdoor Equity Funds, and outdoor education curriculum

Backbone Organization

Nature Based Education Consortium (NBEC)

Steering Committee Partners

Maine Environmental Education Association, Schoodic Institute, Maine Science Teachers Association, Maine Audubon,  University of Maine, University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H Camp and Learning Centers, The Nature Conservancy

Community Partners

Alphabet Alliance of Colo, Bates College, Bomazeen Land Trust, Bomazeen Land Trust, Brooksville School, Bryant Pond 4H Center, Center for an Ecology-Based Economy, Chewonki Foundation, Coastal Mountains Land Trust, Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust, Colby College, Compass Light Productions, Waterfall Arts, Torchlight Media, Cumberland County Public Health, ECO-BIPOC/The Third Place, Environmental & Energy Technology Council of Maine, ‬‭FoodCorps, Freedom Forever Solar, Friends of Acadia, Gateway Community Services, Glow, Bloom, & Thrive, Greely School, Gulf of Maine Research Institute, Intercultural Community Center, Journey ONEderland, Juneteenth Downeast, JustME for JustUS, Kennebunk Climate Initiative, Kennebunk High School, Khmer Maine, Kivulini Afro Yoga Project, Lead with Nature, Maine Ag in the Classroom, Maine Association of New Americans (MANA), Maine Association of New Americans (MANA), Maine Early Childhood Outdoors, Maine GearShare, Maine Initiatives,‬‭ Maine Math and Science Alliance, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Maine Philanthropy Center, Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition, Maine Soccer Development, Maine Teen Camp, Maine Trans Net, Maine TREE/Project Learning Tree, Maine Youth for Climate Justice, Mawita’nej Epijij: Welcome to the Gathering Place, More Women + Surf, Mount Desert Island High School, Mycorrising, National Park Service, Natural Difference, LLC, Nibezun, Niweskok: From the Stars to Seeds, Penobscot Nation, Portland Public Schools, Presente! Maine, Resources for Organizing and Social Change, RSU 26, RSU 89 – Katahdin Schools, Rural Aspirations, School Ground Greening Coalition, Sheepscot Valley RSU 12, Somali Bantu Community Association, Spoke & Feather LLC, Tanglewood 4H Center, Tender Table, The Ecology School, The Harriet Tubman Movement Coalition, The Sierra Club – Maine Chapter, The Village Nest Cooperative, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Wabanaki Commission on Land & Stewardship, Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness, Wabanaki REACH, Wabanaki Rematriation School, Wabanaki Youth in Science, White Pine Programs, Wild Seed Project, Adaptive Outdoor Education Center, CK Burns School, Maine Coast Heritage Trust‬‬

Ready to Thrive Outside?

Get In Touch

Lesford Duncan

Executive Director

lduncan@outdoorfoundation.org

Search

Search