UNE to use donated island in Saco Bay for education and research
The University of New England plans to use a one-acre island off the coast of Saco that it was given as a site for research and education.
The university announced Tuesday that the family of Art Girard, a Portland real estate developer, had donated Ram Island. The island will be used by UNE’s Department of Marine Sciences and Marine Science Center for research purposes and to expand experiential education opportunities to students, the university said. Students, faculty and staff will be able to research marine ecology, geology, invasive species, mammals, fisheries and aquaculture.
"Our students have a very unique opportunity to study aspects of marine science and ecology, both in fully equipped classrooms and laboratories on campus, and, with a quick boat ride, in a university-owned, living, learning laboratory,” UNE President Danielle Ripich said in a statement. “The hands-on opportunities this presents to our students are tremendous.”
Girard said in a statement that the location and relatively unspoiled environment is the perfect match for the school’s studies.
The Portland Press Herald reported that Girard's family purchased the island in 1999 for $140,000, and the land was transferred to the Biddeford university in December 2014.
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