Island Institute believes in showing up and listening. A recent community visit took President Kimberly Hamilton, Chief Programs Officer Jennifer Seavey, Chief Policy Officer Nick Battista, and Public Policy Director Stephanie Welch to Mount Desert Island, Stonington, and Deer Isle.
Over two days, Island Institute staff made 15 stops, visiting with over 31 community members, gaining new insights to address economic, community, and climate challenges on Maine’s coast.
Through these conversations, it was clear that Maine’s small coastal communities and businesses are tackling big, complex, interconnected challenges and are doing so with attention to the maintaining the character and values that make these communities strong. However, it was apparent that existing support and resources fall short of adequately addressing these challenges. An extra set of hands from organizations like Island Institute and other partners can make a big difference.
The group met for lunch to fuel up for the trip. Around the table sat Island Institute Fellows assigned to community-based organizations: Alice Cockerham working with Hancock County Planning, Brianna Cunliffe working with A Climate to Thrive, and Morgan Karns Fellows working with MDI Biological Laboratory, both on Mount Desert Island
Their first stop led them to the Maine Seacoast Mission in Northeast Harbor, where President John Zavodny shared stories of the organization’s impactful work within coastal communities and their approach to supporting these communities. The discussion turned to strengthening the intentional collaboration between the two organizations. The stop ended with a tour of the Sun Beam, Maine Seacoast Mission’s boat that provides a variety of support to the outer island communities.
The journey continued to the College of the Atlantic’s Davis Center in Bar Harbor to meet with Todd Little-Siebold, Natalie Springuel, Galen Koch, and Laurie Baker. Story Frames were a topic of conversation. Made possible through the Fund for Maine Islands, Island Institute’s collaboration with College of the Atlantic, Story Frames are multi-media exhibits that preserve and amplify voices of rural coastal Mainers.
At the Bar Harbor Town Office, Valerie Peacock, Chair of the select board, and James Smith, the new town manager, welcomed the group and talked about the big issues like housing, clean energy transitions, and the effect of seasonal population trends on infrastructure and services.
As evening descended, the group shared dinner with Tremont Town Manager Jesse Dunbar and Mike Radcliff from Thurston’s Lobster Pound. They discussed the challenges facing the working waterfront and coastal community resilience. Jesse highlighted Tremont’s tremendous efforts in community resilience. Mike shared photos and videos of the storm’s impact on his family’s wharf and discussed investments in clean energy projects to power their wharf.
The following day the group departed Bar Harbor and set their course for Stonington. Arriving at the Town Hall, they were greeted by Town Manager Kathleen Billings, who shared thoughts and concerns about the effects of climate change and regulations on the lobster fishery. They also connected with Linda Nelson, Stonington’s Economic Development Director, who described challenges the community is facing in retaining a vibrant year-round population in the face of rising housing costs.
While in Stonington, they toured the working waterfront, visiting Isle au Haut Boat Co, Greenhead Lobster, Stonington Lobster Co-op, and Fifield Lobster. Conversations with these business owners primarily centered around the recent storm and its damage. They discussed preparations for the upcoming summer season and strategies for building greater resilience in the future.
The group gathered for lunch with Kim Hutchinson, Executive Director of Project Launch, to hear how they are helping local students successfully transition from high school to meaningful post-secondary learning opportunities.
The group gathered for lunch with Kim Hutchinson, Executive Director of Project Launch, to hear how they are helping local students successfully transition from high school to meaningful post-secondary learning opportunities.
Their afternoon unfolded at the Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries, where representatives Alexa Dayton, Carla Guenther, and Mike Thalhauser shared insights into climate change and its effects on community, a top concern for Deer Isle’s town manager. The town recently completed a comprehensive plan focused on making the town center more walkable and less car-dependent.
On the way to the last stop, the group visited 44 North’s coffee shop in Deer Isle for an afternoon coffee and cookie. While there, they check out the story frame that is hanging in the Cafe, a powerful storytelling exhibit and a tangible representation of impactful partnerships.The two-day tour concluded at Deer Isle’s Town Hall with Town Manager Jim Fisher before venturing home with many new insights to ponder and warm connections to reflect upon.
