The Downeast Institute has an
incredible opportunity to improve the physical facilities at our
home at Black Duck Cove on Great Wass Island. Every dollar you
donate to DEI will be matched 1:1 by monies from the state of
Maine.
In August 2008, DEI received a $1.009 million grant from Maine’s
Technology Asset Fund (MTAF). To receive this grant, however,
we must obtain a similar amount in matching dollars (the
requirement is a 1:1 match).
We have an excellent and
well-equipped shellfish hatchery, and 20 years of experience
producing shellfish seed for community stock enhancement,
private aquaculture, and applied research projects that are all
conducted along the coast of Maine. The MTAF grant will enable
us to: 1) make improvements to our wharf and tidal impoundments;
2) purchase additional equipment to culture soft-shell clams,
sea urchins, sea scallops and lobsters for enhancement and
applied research projects; and, 3) plan for our vision of the
easternmost marine research laboratory and education center in
the United States.
We want to share our excitement
and expertise with those who have similar passions about
learning and doing new things. Our goal is to create an
education center on our 8-acre campus so that we can offer
summer courses to local youth, elderhostelers, college students,
in-service teachers, and others interested in learning about the
marine environment. Our physical location and array of
cold-water marine habitats is unique in the State of Maine. We
wish to invite marine scientists and their students to explore,
study, and research these habitats and organisms.
Your gift will help us create
the classroom and laboratory facilities that will promote the
diversity and scope of educational and research opportunities in
this region.
Please help us improve the quality of life for people of
downeast and coastal Maine by taking advantage of this wonderful
opportunity to have your donation doubled with funds from the
State of Maine’s Technology Asset Fund. Every dollar that you
pledge will be matched with state monies until February, 2009.
We greatly appreciate your gift at any level.
