ROCKLAND – For the third year in a row, the Island Institute will host its annual Summer Lecture Series, a free lecture series focusing on the Maine coast. Speakers including authors, scientists, community members, and other experts will discuss life along Maine’s waterfront and offer their perspectives, reflections, and insights on everything from art and aquaculture to modern-day challenges and connections. The lectures will take place every Wednesday in July, from 10:30-11:30 a.m., at the Island Institute, 386 Main Street in Rockland, and are free and open to the public.
The schedule for the 2019 lecture series is as follows:
July 3 – A Photographic History of Maine’s Islands and Working Waterfronts: Exploring the Penobscot Marine Museum Photography Archives
Penobscot Marine Museum Photo archivist Kevin Johnson will give a photographic tour of the archives from the Penobscot Marine Museum. The Penobscot Marine Museum has the largest photography archives in the state, made up of dozens of collections and more than 300,000 photographic images spanning from the 1880s to the recent past. The slide show and talk will look at the various collections with a special focus on Maine’s Midcoast, islands, and working waterfronts.
July 10 – Our Future Coast: Climate Change, the Global Economy, and the Role of Community
Communities are largely absent from national discussions of how to address climate change. Every day our towns and cities take practical steps to solve global problems through community member choices and behaviors. Island Institute President Robert Snyder will discuss the skills communities must have and how the Island Institute is currently working with communities to build the muscle needed to deal with climate change.
July 17 – Advantages and Adversity: Teaching and Learning in a One-Room Island School
Mandy Metrano, teacher on Monhegan Island, and Yvonne Thomas, education specialist at the Island Institute will talk about Maine’s island schools and look at both the advantages and challenges of teaching in these remote environments.
July 24 – Tiny Plastics, Big Problem: An Investigation of Microplastics in the Aquatic Environment
Microplastic pollution is considered an emerging issue of international concern. Marine research scientist Abby Barrows will discuss the complex problem of plastic pollution—from behavior changes and diminished offspring performance in animals to the negative human and environmental health effects—and some of the solutions required to address it.
July 31 – An Energetic History of Maritime Maine: Tracing the Relationship of Water, Fossil Fuels, and Wind Energy to Maine’s Maritime History
Maritime historian, author, editor, and curator Lincoln Paine will take a look at the role energy has played in Maine’s maritime history, and the relationship of water, fossil fuels, and wind energy as a part of that story.
While there is no cost to attend, space is limited and pre-registration is highly recommended. Once a lecture fills up, a waitlist will be started for anyone interested. Coffee and pastries will be provided for each of the events.
For more information, or to register for one of the lectures, visit islandinstitute.org/events. Please contact the Island Institute at (207) 594-9209, ext. 113, or email events@islandinstitute.org with any additional questions.
