Our Programs
Founded in 1989 to Improve and Protect the Environmental Health of Casco Bay
Education and Outreach
Our publications, webpage, news features, and field trips educate and encourage those who live, work, and play on Casco Bay to participate in its protection. In addition, we are developing a Casco Bay Curriculum, which area schools can incorporate into their studies in science, math, and social studies.
BayScaping
BayScaping is a grassroots outreach program to encourage homeowners, municipalities, and businesses to reduce their use of pesticides and fertilizers. Developed in partnership with the Maine Board of Pesticides Control, BayScaping recognizes the connection between your backyard and Casco Bay. Homeowners who follow a six-step plan of environmentally-friendly lawn care can become certified BayScapers. A water quality monitoring program documents the presence of pesticides and fertilizers in stormwater runoff. Access the BayScaping How-to Guide at http://www.thinkfirstspraylast.org.
Water Quality Monitoring
More than 100 volunteers each year help collect critical baseline data on Casco Bay. Supported by the Casco Bay Estuary Project and rigorously trained in EPA-approved water sampling protocols, they monitor at more than 80 shore-based stations and assist FOCB staff at another ten profile stations located throughout Casco Bay. They collect baseline data on salinity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, and water clarity. These stalwart Citizen Stewards have collected well over 130,000 measurements of water quality since 1992, making our data set one of the most comprehensive and reliable in Maine, if not in the nation. In the future, we hope to add nutrient sampling and chlorophyll a testing to our water quality monitoring.
Vessel Pumpout Services
Our vessel pumpout boat helps recreational boaters do the right thing by providing a convenient, legal way of disposing of vessel sewage from marine toilets. Our pumpout coordinator helps boat owners locate and operate shoreside facilities and can also pump out their holding tanks at their dock or mooring.
