With the DOE Title II SEED (Supporting Effective Educator Development) grant administered through the National Writing Project, the Southern Maine Writing Project at USM will continue its summer-fall invitational institute for teachers K-University to develop their own writing and to share successful strategies for teaching writing across the curriculum and at all grade levels in southern Maine schools.

The information gathered as part of this grant will greatly enhance the collective understanding of the effectiveness of nonstructural best management practices in managing street dust impacts to Long Creek. The information collected as part of this study will be transferable to other watersheds throughout Maine, New England, and the US.

On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded resulting in an uncontrolled release of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. The rig was located about 50 miles offshore in more than 5,000 feet of water. By the time the well was capped and the oil flow stopped, approximately 200 million gallons of oil were released into the Gulf and the oil spill had become the worst in U.S. history and one of the worst in world history.

This project represents an exciting opportunity for the Justice Policy Program at the Muskie School of Public Policy and its partners to prioritize the expansion of civil representation and advocacy for sexual assault, immigrant/refugee, and rural victims - three traditionally underserved populations.