The idea of intensifying conservation education efforts in Maine originated in the mid-1950’s and was spearheaded by Governor Edmund Muskie. At his direction, a legislative act permitted the inclusion of a full-time Conservation Educator on the staff of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Game. The first appointee was Lawrence Stuart, in July of 1956 (who served as the first Executive Director for MCS until 1959).

Also, in 1956, Governor Muskie called a conference of the commissioners and directors of natural resource agencies to discuss ways of working with the Department of Education on a program to emphasize conservation education. This working group developed the state’s first hunter safety program for young people. The objective of this program was to help young people enjoy the outdoors safely and develop a favorable attitude concerning the state’s natural resources. The group also realized that this objective could best be accomplished by first training school teachers. It was hoped that the teachers would return to the classroom and integrate this knowledge with the existing curriculum.

Later that year, through the efforts of the Maine Fish & Game Association (SAM’s predecessor), Mrs. Lillian Waterhouse donated her summer estate on Bryant Pond, to the newly formed non-profit Conservation Education Foundation of Maine. It was her intention that the property be used as a school devoted to the instruction of natural resource conservation… and the Maine Conservation School was born!

Early in 1957, with funds provided by Mrs. Waterhouse, Maine Forest Products Industries, and the Department of Inland Fisheries and Game, a log type dormitory capable of housing sixteen people was constructed and furnished. During the summer, two small groups of teachers participated in a pilot program at Bryant Pond. A resident staff, consisting of science department heads from Farmington and Gorham Teachers Colleges, with assistance from resource agency specialists, provided the instruction.

In 1958 a second log type dormitory was constructed and teacher workshops continued. In addition, 4-H clubs and the Maine State Grange participated in the program.

In 1959 Lawrence Stuart, resigned to become director of the State Parks Commission and Franklin Downie was appointed as MCS Executive Director. During the year additional 4-H clubs and Grange groups visited the campus. In the fall of 1959 a new building was designed in include a kitchen, dining hall, classroom and recreational area. Funds for this building came from the Fish and Game Department, Mrs. Waterhouse, and the Maine State Grange. This building was used for the first time in May of 1960 and dedicated as Rogers Hall in July of that year by Governor John H. Reed in honor of Mrs. Lillian Rogers Waterhouse.

With the addition of this new facility came an expansion of the program offerings at the School. During the month of May a class of eighth grade students from the town of Winthrop experienced the first school program for students. Instruction for this outdoor laboratory experience was provided by specialists from state and federal resource agencies. This residential experience proved so rewarding and informative that the following week a similar program was offered to a seventh grade class from Waterville.

Four school groups each spent a week at the campus in 1961; five more were accommodated in 1962 and seven groups in 1963. Curtailment of the 1964 spring program was necessitated by the death of Mr. Downie; however, the summer Teacher Workshops progressed without incident under the temporary leadership of Mr. William C. Mincher. Donald K. Christie was appointed successor to Mr. Downie in August, 1964. Four schools groups participated in the 1964 fall offerings. In 1965 six school programs and nine weeks of Teacher Workshops were held, as well as programs for 4-H, Maine State Grange, and a special workshop for students from Farmington State Teachers College. Work was also begun in 1965 on the rifle range with a projected completion date of summer of 1966. 1965 also marked the first discussion of winterization of the school and the programmatic advantages of such a move. Program utilization continued to grow under the direction of Mr. Christie in 1966, 1967 and 1968.

Mr. Christie was named Director of Planning and Coordination for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Game in 1968. During the 1969 season, eight school programs, three teacher programs and numerous one-day sessions were held. Mr. Christie was named Director of Planning and Coordination for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Game in 1968. He was succeeded by Mr. Grady Eugene Hocutt, who served as Executive Director during the 1969 season.

In 1970, Marshall T. Wierbe became Director of the School. Five school groups, five teacher programs and four other groups utilized the school’s facilities and programs. Extensive damage was incurred during the winter of 1969-1970 and opening was delayed that year.

1971 saw a significant change in the teaching structure at the School. The school program was modified from previous years in that two or three Conservation School teachers worked with each group. This format proved to be far superior to the former approach of one master instructor per group. The physical plant of the School was modified with the addition of an office space in the Stone Lodge. Mr. Wiebe resigned at the end of the 1971 season and was replaced by Mrs. Lorraine L. Stubbs.

Nine school groups and four teacher groups, as well as several special programs, highlighted 1972. The laboratory in the back of Rogers Hall was completed and Mrs. Stubbs proposed the implementation of a summer student program. The Mann property was added to the Conservation Foundation of Maine holdings in 1972. The 1973 school program was of 10 weeks duration and included a high school group and 11 student teachers. Several special programs and four teacher training programs filled out the schedule. During 1971–1972 the Executive Director’s position was moved from Inland Fisheries and Game to the Department of Educational and Cultural Services. The Hunter Safety Program was added in 1973 on a trial basis and has remained an important aspect of the program since that time.

In 1974 twelve weeks of school programs and an increased interest in the five teacher programs were the highlights. From 1974 through 1977 the programs at the School experienced growth and resurgence in interest. Mrs. Stubbs spent time and effort in researching and encouraging the maintenance of the physical plant. In 1977 the septic system was replaced for Rogers Hall and new showers were built in the dormitory. These much needed improvements, along with the addition of a walk-in refrigerator, were complete before Ms. Stubbs’ resignation in 1978.

Peter Dumont assumed the Executive Director’s position in August 1978. Under his direction the School continued to offer student and teacher programs and added, briefly, Elderhostel programs. For a short time a master teacher was hired, but the position was discountinued when funding was ended. Mr. Dumont resigned as Director in 1986 and was replaced by Mr. Leslie B. Gamble.

Since 1987 the programs at the Maine Conservation School have expanded to once again include Elderhostel. Community education and day use has increased dramatically, encouraging local community members to become aware of the resource that is nearby. Several projects were implemented to improve the facilities and the trail system during 1991. Improvements to the septic system are being actively pursued as is the potential year-round programming. With all the changes, the intent of the School remains much the same: to foster, through education, an understanding of Maine’s environment and to instill a sense of individual responsibility for conservation of our natural resources.

In 1991, Chaitanya York became the Executive Director. Under “C’s” direction MCS began aggressive fundraising and outreach efforts. C. was tireless in his efforts and did much to spread the Maine Conservation School’s mission and vision to all corners of the state. During this time period, the Safari Club International Foundation brought its American Wilderness Leadership School to MCS. This AWLS East program was modeled after their AWLS West program in Wyoming. This program offers teachers a rich academic atmosphere combined with generous amounts of outdoor fun and most importantly, curriculum materials and teaching ideas to bring home to their students.

In 1997, due in large part to the efforts of ME DIF&W Commissioner Ray “Bucky” Owens, the state instituted a scholarship program using money generated from the auction of five Maine moose hunting permits. Legislation directed that the proceeds from this auction be used as scholarship assistance to send Maine young people to a week-long conservation education program in a residential summer camp setting, where they would have an opportunity to complete their hunter safety certification. This scholarship program has assisted over 200 Maine young people to attend camp every year ince it's inception.

In 2001, C. resigned and Sandra Neily took over the position. It was during Ms. Neily’s tenure as Executive Director, that the Maine Conservation School leased property owned by the University of Maine at the Greenland Point Center, in Princeton Maine, to run additional programs. MCS withdrew from the lease agreement in 2004, when the University began to investigate sale of the GPC property. Ms. Neily also resigned in 2004 and Scott Olsen was promoted from Operations Director at Bryant Pond to MCS Executive Director. In 2006, Scott resigned from that position and now works as our part-time Development Director.  In January of 2007, Linda Walbridge took over the helm at MCS.

Presently, over 1000 participants, old and young, are introduced to a unique blend of outdoor fun, environmental education, and practical outdoor skills each year at the Maine Conservation School.