
Island Institute Blog
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The Island Institute works to sustain Maine's island and remote coastal communities, and exchanges ideas and experiences to further the sustainability of communities here and elsewhere. Explore their blog to hear from artists and industry experts for insights about the importance of art and craft in Maine and the stories shaping the creative economy.
Island Institute Blog
2w ago
Walking along the fishermen's co-op dock, Sam Belknap says it is a model for what the Maine coast must do to build resilience in the face of climate change. "This is the type of investment all wharves need to be making," he explained. Belknap is director of coastal economy for the Island Institute of Rockland, a nonprofit organization that has been helping coastal areas with economic and community development for the past 40 years ..read more
Island Institute Blog
3w ago
In the wake of the recent storm, our Island and coastal communities are grappling with the devastating impacts of severe flooding and storm damage. To support the families and businesses through this difficult time, we want to share resources to access the help they need to recover from this storm and prepare for the next ..read more
Island Institute Blog
2M ago
In 2021, the city of Eastport, with support from Island Institute, was awarded an Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project grant from the Department of Energy with , which funded work to develop localized energy generation and storage. Now, a community-driven initiative is developing solar and tidal power to feed a microgrid. It would allow the island community to weather hours of outages, detached from the main electrical grid without the high costs and carbon footprint of diesel. The grant launched the feasibility studies and produced the plans for the transition that Eastport is in ..read more
Island Institute Blog
2M ago
Each fall, island schools in the Outer Island Teaching and Learning Collaborative (TLC) gather for unforgettable multi-day field trips that connect students, families, and communities. These trips are a core part of the TLC’s mission, enriching academic and social learning for Maine's smallest island schools and fostering connections that last through winter ..read more
Island Institute Blog
3M ago
Island Institute is pleased to announce that Jessica Reilly-Moman, Ph.D., will be joining the organization as the Director of the Center for Climate and Community. A dedicated social scientist, ecologist, and writer, Dr. Reilly-Moman brings over twenty-five years of experience and a deep passion for accelerating climate action for coastal communities ..read more
Island Institute Blog
3M ago
Nine months after damaging storms in January heavily impacted Maine's coastal communities, recovery is still top of mind. The issue is being put back at the forefront for state legislators. In Bremen on Tuesday, Island Institute hosted a roundtable between leaders from Maine's working waterfronts, Sen. Angus King, and Rep. Chellie Pingree ..read more
Island Institute Blog
3M ago
I grew up on Peaks Island and recently moved to Deer Isle to work as an Island Institute Fellow to support Deer Isle & Stonington’s Adult & Community Education. I'm helping people with career transitions and assisting those whose jobs, like lobstermen, require new technological skills for tracking and reporting. As I unpacked boxes in my new apartment, I saw the little trail of memories that have led me to this moment and to become an Island Institute Fellow ..read more
Island Institute Blog
3M ago
I grew up on Peaks Island and recently moved to Deer Isle to work as an Island Institute Fellow supporting Deer Isle & Stonington’s Adult & Community Education with those making career transitions or whose jobs, like lobstermen, require new technological skills for tracking and reporting. As I unpacked boxes in my new apartment, I saw the little trail of memories that have led me to this moment and to become an Island Fellow ..read more
Island Institute Blog
4M ago
Dylan Metrano, a multi-talented artist and co-founder of La Nef Chocolate, shares how he masterfully blends papercutting, chocolate making, and music into an inspiring and creative concoction ..read more
Island Institute Blog
4M ago
As the tide surged and the winds howled last January, our coastal communities were unduly reminded of nature’s destructive power. The storms struck the coast - lifting wharves, eroding infrastructure, and bringing the livelihoods of many communities to a halt. In the aftermath, however, these storms have offered valuable lessons about how we can better protect and design our coastal infrastructure and storm response.  ..read more