Downeast Institute- The Coolest Place You’ll Never Visit!

Earlier this summer I was invited to return to a place that I had visited a couple of years ago- the Downeast Institute (DEI). I first learned of the Institute while researching a softshell clam restoration project that Sea Pact was funding where the DEI partnered with the Maine Clammers Association to find ways to restore soft clams to beds depleted by invasive species and climate related challenges. The DEI provided the spat (tiny juvenile clams) that the clammers nurtured and grew in upwellers and protected beds. 

The DEI describes itself as the “Easternmost Marine Research Laboratory and Education Center in the United States” and “Maine’s First and Only Public Shellfish Hatchery”. This is an accurate if somewhat sterile description of what the DEI does. When you go inside the building however, you are transported to another world. Walking through the entrance you are likely to be greeted by Dr Brian Beal, described as Director of Research (I would say heart and soul) of the Institute. He’ll be wearing flannel and dirty Jeans, smelling of the Ocean. Say hi, then let him talk. You’re in for a wild ride!   

Inside the premises you’ll encounter growing populations of at least 3 species of Clams and two species of Oysters, one of which is the European Belon. They’re growing a specially selected variation of mussels, too. What do they feed all of these bivalves? Why Algae, of course. And with that, Brian will take you to the Algae growout room with small, medium and large beakers and bottles all growing different species (and colors) or Algae that are transferred to over two dozen floor to ceiling cylinders which store the food for the shellfish. It’s a factory that never stops making this food, of course. 

Maybe you’re not that interested in traditional shellfish. Well, you’re not totally out of luck.  He’s working on Scallops at times, too. Still not interested?  If you happen to arrive at the right time Brian might be growing Lobster. They’re not commercially viable yet, but if anyone can crack that nut it will be Brian. And if it isn’t viable to grow them in the lab, Brian will figure out a way to ranch the Lobsters! Brian is a scientist, but he also has the entrepreneurial spirit.

There is one thing that separates Brian from a traditional entrepreneur. He has built a culture that shares what it learns and also provides opportunity for others to learn and to develop their own opportunity. One addition courtesy of their recent expansion is a rentable business incubator space has running seawater. It is a private, lockable 300 sq. ft. space with running seawater and room for tanks of various sizes.

The Downeast Institute is a tremendous teaching resource to the youth in its community. Schools from near and not-so-near have built the Institute into their curriculum. They have “Marine Science Days” where they utilize their “let’s find out” approach to learning with K-12 students and their educators, letting them get their hands (and cloths, shoes, faces, etc.) dirty while learning about the world they live in. They also offer Continuing Education training for educators through their Coastal Science Academy program. I met some of their staff during my visit. They are exceptional!

It's challenging to write about the Downeast Institute because there is so much going on that it’s impossible not to leave something out. For example- they grow out some of their juvenile shellfish in sites outside of their facility. They partner with communities for habitat restoration. They get involved in the political side of fisheries and coastal management as they pertain to our collective ability to retain or restore threatened species. I also haven’t even started talking about the other very special people associated with the Downeast Institute. I will mention one more person- Sara Randall, the Associate Director. She is the person you will most likely speak to if you do NOT set foot in the Institute which is REMOTELY located in Beals, Maine (6 hours north of Boston, at least 2 of which is spent driving through areas designated with numbers and letters, not town names!). She is engaged and passionate and works hard to make sure that much of what is envisioned by the scientists in the enclave of the institute is implemented. Check out the institute at https://downeastinstitute.org/; to learn more about it I suggest that you reach out to Sara at [email protected]/.