Why The Ocean Conservancy & Sail Maine?
Two charitable organizations that my wife and I support are the Ocean Conservancy and Sail Maine. My support for these organizations is partly driven by my long-time interest in sailing. These organizations are important for improving the quality of, and deepening appreciation of our oceans.
About the Ocean Conservancy
The Ocean Conservancy has been working to revitalize our challenged oceans since 1972 as the “Delta Organization” before reorganizing into the “Center for Environmental Education” (CEE) with a primary goal of educating people and encouraging them to actively care about the animals we share our world with. Over time the CEE championed various endangered species, resulting in legislation that brought about international change. By the 1980s, the focus shifted towards protecting the habitats fundamental to all endangered species, with a particular focus on the rapidly polluted and overfished oceans. By 2001, they adopted their Ocean Conservancy moniker and continued to work to protect the oceans and the many species they are host to.
They’ve continued to focus on supporting the well-being of animals and the environment, keeping evidence-based science at the forefront of their actions. They’ve been global leaders in the ocean conservation effort, with tens of millions of dollars raised and put to work researching, cleaning, and protecting our oceans annually.
Ocean Conservancy’s mission statement is:
“Ocean Conservancy is working with you to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it.”
About Sail Maine
Sail Maine is a community sailing non-profit organization established in Portland, Maine. They offer low-cost sailing lessons and experiences to children, youth, teens, and adults. They also offer scholarships for junior sailors and payment plans to all participants to make sailing as accessible as possible to everyone in the community.
Sail Maine’s mission statement is:
“SailMaine is a community sailing center based on the Portland waterfront. Our mission is to provide affordable access to the water through community sailing and educational programming.
We offer Junior Sailing Summer Programs, High School Competitive Sailing, Adult Learn to Sail Programs, Community and Corporate Programs, Adaptive Sailing, Social and Family Sailing and Boat Rentals. We aim to offer something for our entire community!
SailMaine hosts several events throughout the year, including regattas, fun races, social events and special sailing events. Our events are meant to get more people out on the water and build community around sailing. Come on down, get involved and get sailing!”