The South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) presents a new community environmental education and outreach initiative, Coastal Connections: Shared Shores, Shared Futures, launching in March 2026.
SOFO’s partnership with Chickadeeds, a Portland, Maine–based nonprofit organization, will provide hands-on, accessible environmental education and stewardship programs in both coastal communities. The initiative is made possible through the support of an anonymous donor.
Chickadeeds is dedicated to fostering community action by organizing family-friendly volunteer events for children and adults. Its mission centers on supporting local nonprofits with labor and supplies, empowering, engaging, and connecting individuals while building strong, compassionate communities through hands-on, accessible service.
Through The Coastal Connections Program, the two organizations will offer free workshops, environmental learning activities, volunteer-led conservation events, and neighborhood outreach programs for middle school–age children and young adults.
The partnership will officially launch with SOFO’s annual Amphibian Big Night Spotted Salamander and Wood Frog Search on March 28. Chickadeeds will host a similar Amphibian Big Night event in Portland on April 20.
This summer, SOFO’s Balloons for Sharks project will mobilize volunteers to remove plastic litter from beaches and coastal waters on the South Fork, while Chickadeeds will coordinate a comparable plastic litter awareness and removal effort in the Portland area.
“This partnership demonstrates the power of community-based conservation,” said Frank Quevedo, Executive Director of SOFO. “By connecting two coastal communities through shared environmental action, we are inspiring the next generation of stewards and strengthening our collective responsibility to protect our shorelines.”
“Our mission is to make environmental action accessible, family-friendly, and deeply educational,” said Jennie Coyne, Co-Founder of Chickadeeds. “This partnership allows two coastal communities to share resources, compare outcomes, and learn from one another. Coastal Connections: Shared Shores, Shared Futures is building a culture of collaboration, strengthening stewardship on both shores.”
Adds Lauren Glennon, Co-Founder of Chickadeeds, “At Chickadeeds, we believe environmental stewardship begins at the neighborhood level. SOFO is creating meaningful environmental conservation service opportunities in its community, just as we are up the coast. Connecting hyperlocal efforts compounds inspiration, impact, and collective action. We are grateful for our partners in South Fork and can’t wait to assess the results of this collaboration for both of our communities!”
Additional youth-focused programs are planned throughout the year in both locations.