David Shaw’s money will underwrite programs involving institutions such as the National Park Service, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He says the project will allow parks to offer more opportunities for scientific research and education.

Shaw announced the gift at Park Science Day on Saturday. He says the initiative will start with projects at Acadia and expand to other national parks.

Shaw told the Portland Press Herald (http://bit.ly/28YNziT ) he believes all parks can benefit from connecting scientists and their research with educators and the public. He lives in Scarborough, Maine.