Whiting, ME

Alan is a social ecologist with a career dedicated to leveraging education in its broadest definition, to contribute to personal, community, and environmental health.  He graduated from UM Orono in 1978 with a teaching certificate and a degree in Child Development. In 1984 he received an MS in Experiential Education from Lesley University.  He has taught at every level, from early childhood education through elementary, middle and high school in Washington County’s public schools, and at the undergraduate and graduate levels as a member of the leadership and faculty with Lesley University’s Audubon Expedition Institute.

In 1998, Alan was invited by community members from the Cobscook Bay region to explore the possibility of establishing an alternative education option for Washington County youth. Six months of weekly conversation, research, and exploration by this group led to the design of Cobscook Institute (then CCLC). Alan has held a leadership position within the organization ever since. In 2011, Alan was awarded UM’s Alumni Career Award for his leadership and innovations in effective education. Alan also serves as Vice President of the Association for World Education, International, and as a founding member of the Maine Fresh, LLC Advisory Board.

Alan Furth is a Co-Founder of Cobscook Institute, and was the Executive Director from 1999 to 2019.