Portland, ME – The Gorham Middle School was one of nine groups recognized by the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership (CBEP) with a 2023 Casco Bay Community Grants award. The awards were announced by Victoria Boundy, Community Engagement Coordinator of the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership. The Community Grants Program supports new partnerships and innovative projects that engage communities with Casco Bay and its watershed. Supporting new and existing partnerships centered on protecting our coastal resources has a positive ripple effect throughout Casco Bay.

CBEP awarded $30,000 to nine recipients, for their projects. Gorham Middle School was recognized for its project “Gorham Middle School Community Habitat Monitoring.” Funds will support the purchase of two monitoring stations that 7th grade students will use on public trails around Gorham Middle School. Students monitor the health of a local pond and the spread of invasive Japanese knotweed and this equipment will allow local citizens to monitor how these sites change over time.