Alongside land preservation and stewardship, education is one of the most important areas of our work. CELT’s growing education programs are designed to generate a greater appreciation and awareness of our local natural areas. As a common resource preserved for public benefit, we depend upon our members and friends to help with the care and maintenance of our lands.

Supported almost exclusively by grants from private foundations and donor-designated gifts, our education programs are coordinated through CELT’s education committee. This committee is comprised of 11 local residents who attend several meetings each year to oversee the creation and implementation of new projects.

Schools:

• Using a curriculum co-developed by CELT and 4th grade teachers, the entire 4th grade class visits Robinson Woods three times (fall, winter and spring) to fulfill required components of Learning Results criteria utilizing local examples of ecology.

• During their spring semester rainforest module, each 2nd grade class receives a lecture from CELT volunteers about migrating songbirds passing through Cape Elizabeth from their wintering grounds in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America.

• Now a rite of passage, each eighth grade classroom participates in our annual service-learning trail project building bridges and learning about local ecology.

• At the Pond Cove Elementary School’s media center, CELT has created a hands-on Environmental Resource Center to provide the elementary school teachers access to resource materials on environmental education, field guides, nets and other materials that can be ‘checked out’ for use in the classroom, or on field trips.

• Over the years CELT has distributed over $2,500 in grants to Cape teachers in support of environmental education in their classrooms. These grants are available to teachers at all grade levels for classroom materials, professional training, subscriptions and field trips.

• CELT’s annual Scholarship Award is given to a graduating high school senior interested in pursuing environmental studies.

Community Services Programs:

Through our local Community Services office, CELT offers a variety of Nature Walks open to the community. Past programs have included:

• Seasonal bird walks for Migrating Birds, Winter Birds, Shorebirds, and Birding for Kids.
• Vernal Pool Walks (spring)
• Tree Identification Walks (spring)
• Wildflower Identification Walks (spring)
• 3-day Summer program for 1st and 2nd graders and 3rd and 4th graders (summer)
• After-school programs for 3rd and 4th graders (spring)
• Winter Snowshoe Exploration (winter)
• Annual Cross-town walk (fall or spring)
• Cape Lands presentation (spring and fall)

Do you know the difference between a black spruce and a balsam fir? Well now you can!

In coordination with the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust Education Committee, local elementary teacher Ogden Williams has provided a comprehensive self-guided tour for walkers in Robinson Woods. Designed to complement our existing 14-station tree guide available at the kiosk, this walk adds an additional 10 stations offering even greater insight to the biology and folklore associated with our many native tree species. Laminated copies of this self-guided tour may be available at the kiosk, or you can download and print the document here on our website.

Encouraging people to learn more about our local environment is one way we can foster an appreciation for our local natural areas that provide wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities. Through these efforts we hope to build a constituency of friends committed to protecting and preserving special lands that contribute to the town's rural character. To learn more about the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust or to join us as a member click here.

We would like to acknowledge Sara Lennon for donating her time to design this document. Thank you Sara!

Please contact Lisa Gent or Suzanne McGinn for more information about the CELT Education Committee. lisagent@verizon.net -- smcginn1@maine.rr.com