Dear Editor:

After 30 years, the time has come to leave my position as education director for the Department of Marine Resources. I am grateful to past and present administrators for the amazing opportunities that they allowed me to pursue in creating educational facilities and programs – building of the Maine State Aquarium, restoring the Burnt Island Light Station, fundraising and building the Burnt Island Education Center, creating Officer SALTY, bringing the Sea to the Classroom, and teaching teachers, children, and the public about the amazing Gulf of Maine.

What will stand out in my heart and mind are the incredible friendships formed with colleagues, teachers, fishermen, community members, staff, interns, Maine residents and professionals across the state and nation. It’s been a true pleasure working with them and serving their educational needs. I leave knowing that I have touched many lives as an educator and specialist in the field of marine science, and I know that I learned valuable lessons from them in return.

I assure you that I won’t be sitting still in retirement. I look forward to quality time with my supportive family and getting those home projects done. After spending next summer on Burnt Island to celebrate its bicentennial anniversary, I look forward to sailing off into the sunset with family and friends teaching them about the ocean and its resources along the way. I have passionately met my career goals, and now I hope that the gold in my “golden years” will be fair winds and following seas.

Farewell and thanks for the memories,

Elaine Jones

Department of Marine Resources

West Boothbay Harbor