Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) announced that the Ecology School in Saco has been awarded an $8,660,000 loan from the U.S. Department of Rural Development.  This investment will be used to construct an environmentally friendly 7,000 square-foot dining commons and a 9,000 square-foot dormitory as well as to convert the existing farmhouse into office space.  The Ecology School currently has 14 employees, and this project will allow for the hiring of an additional seven employees for administrative and educational purposes.

“For more than 20 years, The Ecology School has been committed to teaching future generations about our natural environment and the responsibility we all have to protect it,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement.  “This important funding will allow The Ecology School to improve and expand their campus and continue to provide meaningful environmental education opportunities to students from Maine and beyond.”

"The Ecology School is excited to begin construction this summer on the River Bend Farm project as we create the most sustainable residential environmental learning center in the country. We are incredibly grateful to Senator Collins' office for initially connecting us with the USDA Rural Development office in Scarborough, and for the strong support of Senator Collins and Senator King throughout the USDA RD Community Facilities Loan Program application process.  The Senators and their staff have been tireless advocates for The Ecology School in our mission to guide people in the development of authentic connections with the environment and local agriculture and to become empowered stewards of Maine's environment, “said Drew Dumsch, President and CEO of The Ecology School.

Last year, Senators Collins and King sent a letter in support of the ongoing projects at the Ecology School.

This funding was provided through the U.S. Department of Rural Development’s Community Facilities Direct Loans and Guaranteed Loans program. 

The Ecology School is a non-profit organization that was formed in 1998 to promote social welfare by providing education and training in the environmental sciences (part of the STEM curriculum).  The Ecology School inspires stewardship of and connection to the natural world through experiential learning in ecology, conservation, farming, and sustainability.