Down East Institute
A marine research laboratory and education center featuring a large shellfish research and production hatchery that collaborates with community and industry partners to develop methods to adapt to the changing marine environment and create new opportunities .
Geology & Ecology
Coastal Maine Geopark
An initiative by College of the Atlantic to develop resources and promote experiences that highlight the unique geology of coastal Maine and it ’ s influences on natural and cultural heritage , and to promote sustainable development through geo-tourism .
Maine Ice Age Trail
A self-guided driving tour with 46 of the finest and most accessible sites along the margins of the last great North American continental ice sheet . Printed & online map , downloadable iPad app . An existing map of the trail includes extensive technical information about the geologic significance of each site – available only by purchasing it through the University of Maine at Orono bookstore . The Ice-Age trail comprises many remote and difficult to find sites , some of which are on private property . The sites are not marked .
Night Sky
Acadia Night Sky Festival
A 5-day event celebrating the dark , starlit skies of Downeast Maine through education , science and the arts . Workshops , internationally recognized speakers , tours , and hands-on experiences .
Opportunities for Open Space and Outdoor Recreation Natural / Open Space
• Strengthen Downeast Maine communities by restoring a strong and resilient ecosystem and our regional fisheries economy
• Host community wide Enviro-thons for all ages , family and friends teams , business teams , etc .
• Educate community members and work with community leaders to address climate change & sea level rise related to local industry and infrastructure . Redesign downtowns to include greenspaces as floodplains .
• Recognize and honor the region ’ s industrial past and support an industrial future within the context of natural resources heritage and coordinated with open space preservation and sustainable practices .
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