The Ecology School Receives $57,500 Donation

SACO, Maine (October 6, 2020) – Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution (SBSI) and Paquin & Carroll Insurance (P&C) have given a combined gift of $57,500 to The Ecology School to help fund the construction of two of the most sustainable buildings in the Northeast. The new buildings, located at River Bend Farm in Saco, will be centerpieces of the school’s new riverfront environmental education learning center.

The buildings will adhere to the strict guidelines of The International Living Future Institute’s Living Building Challenge, a green building certification program and sustainable design framework. “Living buildings” are designed to give more to the environment than they take, creating a positive impact on the human and natural systems that interact with them. With over 700 solar panels, locally-sourced lumber, permaculture landscaping and a working agroecology farm, the campus is leading the way in modeling sustainability and conservation practices in Maine and beyond.

To commemorate the generosity of SBSI and P&C, the school is naming the newly-constructed entryway to the 7,000-square-foot dining commons in their honor.

“Support from our neighbors at Saco & Biddeford Savings and Paquin & Carroll Insurance demonstrates a commitment to building sustainable communities right here in our hometowns,” said Drew Dumsch, President and CEO of The Ecology School. “The dining commons will be the central meeting place for all of our program participants, and the entryway is a connector between the quiet forest setting of our dormitories and the open riverfront farm fields. We’re honored to name this section after our great community partners.”

In addition to providing science and outdoor education to over 3,500 K-8th graders in the Saco and Biddeford school system, The Ecology School is a place for people of all ages to be immersed in outdoor conservation, farming and sustainability experiences.

“Having attended The Ecology School myself, it is impactful to see the changes made so that everyone can appreciate and enjoy the scenery while learning about stainability here in our community,” said Chad Boucher, Financial Operations Manager at Saco & Biddeford Savings.

“This project is a model of sustainability and efficiency for others to follow, and it’s great to see the plans for education coupled with sustainable farming at the stunning River Bend Farm,” said Josh Fearon, President of Paquin & Carroll Insurance. “The future is bright for participants at The Ecology School.”

About The Ecology School
The Ecology School is a nonprofit ecology education center that transforms how people think about nature and the environment. Through joyful, hands-on, experiential programming students of all ages learn to become stewards of the environment as they explore local forests, coastal ecosystems, and food systems. Since 1998, The Ecology School has hosted more than 187,000 students and teachers from across the country, educating about the environment and our collective impact on the planet. In 2019, The Ecology School broke ground on its new campus at River Bend Farm in Saco, Maine. Upon completion, The Ecology School will become the most sustainable building in the Northeast. Learn more at TheEcologySchool.org and follow The Ecology School on Facebook @EcologySchool, Instagram @TheEcologySchool and Twitter @ecologyschoolME.

About Saco and Biddeford Savings Institution
Founded in 1827, Saco & Biddeford Savings is Maine’s oldest bank. For over 190 years, SBSI has continued to meet the ever-changing needs of the customers and communities it serves. Fulfilling its commitment to mutuality and being In It Together, SBSI has contributed more than $4 million to area organizations over the last 10 years. For more information, visit www.sbsavings.bank, Instagram at @SBSavings, Facebook at @sacobiddefordsavings, or visit one of their locations in Saco, Biddeford, Old Orchard Beach, Portland, Scarborough, South Portland or Westbrook. Member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.

About P&C Insurance
Founded in 1928, P&C Insurance provides personal, business and financial insurance programs and advice, as well as providing employee benefits throughout Northern New England. The firm maintains the highest standard of service and is proud of its long-standing client relationships built on mutual responsibility and trust. Locally owned, with access to the finest national and regional insurance carriers and providers, P&C ensures customers have competitive products and pricing to fit clients’ budgets. For more information and locations, visit www.insurancepc.com.