Extension associates, who design and deliver local outreach programs, transfer information to and from the state's citizens. Through this process, communities gain the capacity to make informed decisions on the management of coastal and marine resources that promote ecological and economic sustainability.

Aquatic Invaders in Maine (AIM): Education, Exploration, and Stewardship
The Maine economy and way of life are intricately linked to our fresh- and saltwater resources. The Aquatic Invaders in Maine (AIM): Education, Exploration, and Stewardship program will use the emerging issue of aquatic invasive species as a vehicle to improve aquatic literacy and to promote environmental stewardship.

Beach Profile Monitoring
Since 1999, teams of volunteers have been measuring the erosion and accretion of sand on southern Maine beaches as part of the Beach Profile Monitoring Project. The data the volunteers gather is being used to create a long-term picture of coastal processes on the state's sandy beaches, and will help determine management actions on beaches where chronic erosion threatens critical wildlife habitat and public and private property.

Clean Water/Partners in Monitoring
This watershed program was developed for volunteer monitors.  Community-based groups monitor the environmental health of their coastal waters by collecting water samples and measuring temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, and bacteria using field test kits and equipment in their community laboratory.

Maine Healthy Coastal Beaches Program
Due to the new monitoring effort established through this program, Maine's coastal beaches will be safer places to recreate.

Maine Phytoplankton Monitoring Program
Community-based groups monitor toxic phytoplankton species in their coastal waters.

Marine Bioinvasions
Known as bioinvaders or nuisance species, marine invasive species are plants, animals, and other organisms introduced from other regions that spread in their new environment to the extent that they overtake native species and their habitats. Marine invasive species can cause significant economic and ecological impacts, and create a challenge for marine managers.

Microbial Source Tracking in Two Southern Maine Watersheds
The intent of this project is to further explore the use of microbial tracking to more closely identify the bacteria found in pollution source samples, and attempt to validate a tool that has been developed for differentiating the sources of fecal pollution in coastal ecosystems.
View the entire MST site

Recreational Island Monitoring
The Recreational Island Monitoring project is a three-year baseline project to develop the foundations of a long-range island-monitoring plan on various recreational islands on the Maine coast. The project includes the development of island-specific recreation ecology study methods, the implementation of methods useable by volunteer, student or recreational groups, and the gathering of baseline data on specific islands. Intertidal Zone Monitoring is a component of this project.

Silver Wake
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension (UMCE), Sea Grant, and the School of Marine Sciences (SMS) teamed up to develop an environmental education program for middle and high school teachers and students, called The Silver Wake.

Statewide Online Database
This database, developed to support water quality monitoring in Maine, is used by volunteer organizations and towns.

A Volunteer’s Handbook for Monitoring Maine Salt Marshes PDF 3.91 MB
Based on a similar manual focusing on New Hampshire salt marshes, the handbook provides an overview of the ecology, conservation and threats to Maine salt marshes, and details the field methods and techniques needed by volunteers to successfully monitor their local salt marshes.