The Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership has received a gift of $1 million from an anonymous donor to continue enhancing its island classroom to work with students, teachers and scientists.
The Hurricane Island Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization created in 2008 to hold stewardship of Hurricane Island in Penobscot Bay, according to its website, hurricaneisland.net.
“This generous gift arrives at an opportune time, allowing the Hurricane Island Foundation to continue in earnest the work of building a sustainable, off-the-grid island campus and at the same time further develop its research, teaching, and leadership programs,” according to a press release issued by the foundation on Monday.
The donation moves the organization substantially closer to its $2.5 million goal for capital and operating expenses.
According to the foundation, its principal program, the Center For Science and Leadership, works to engage students, teachers and scientists with field research experiences and leadership training in a remote offshore environment. The island is located off the coast of Maine, in Penobscot Bay 12 miles offshore from Rockland and 1 mile southwest of Vinalhaven Island. The Hurricane Island Foundation is not affiliated with the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School.