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BIDDEFORD, Maine

Owen Grumbling receives Espy Land Heritage Award from Maine Coast Heritage Trust

Owen Grumbling, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Environmental Studies, recently received the 2015 Espy Land Heritage Award from the Maine Coast Heritage Trust for exemplary conservation efforts in Maine.

Grumbling was one of the founders of the Wells Natural Estuarine Research Reserve, which is nationally recognized for spreading knowledge of coasts and estuaries, engaging people in environmental learning and involving communities in conservation. He has also served as chair of the Town of Wells’ conservation commission for 33 consecutive years and spearheaded the creation of a town land bank in 1984.

Upon receiving the award, Grumbling stated, "The real reward all of us receive for our conservation work takes place when we visit a parcel, enjoy its beauty and realize that its health and integrity will be there for animals and for people long into the future."

Recipients of the Espy Land Heritage Award bestow their award money to a conservation charity of their choice. Grumbling’s funds will be directed to the Town of Wells Land Bank.

51С»Æ³µ the University of 51С»Æ³µ

The University of 51С»Æ³µ is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.