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.
Category: Blog
Innovative Technology Drives the Efficiency of Aquaculture
Posted by Laura England & filed under Blog.
Located at the top of the Schoodic Peninsula, in the pristine waters of Frenchman Bay, Springtide Seaweed sustainably farms seaweed using minimal equipment and labor thanks in part to their internet connectivity and employment of state-of-the-art technology.
Electric Outboard Course Sparks Enthusiasm with Expert Instruction and Engaged Learners
Posted by Laura England & filed under Blog.
After 20 years as a K-12 island educator, I often experienced the joy of student learning. Now that I mostly work with adults, I find myself missing the outward display of happiness that young students exhibit in a learning setting. While adults certainly experience joy when they learn something new, it is often a more subdued response, especially in formal settings like classrooms and professional development sessions.
Maine’s Clean Energy Communities Attract Visitors from Across the Nation
Posted by Laura England & filed under Blog.
Maine is at the forefront of community energy transitions, with Island Institute serving as the Northeast Regional Partner for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP).
Retreating Together
Posted by Laura England & filed under Blog.
Three times each year, the full cohort of 10 Island Institute fellows meet in person for retreats. Our winter retreat this year was held on Vinalhaven where Kaylin Wu is living and working for her fellowship.
Charting a Course to Resilience
Posted by Laura England & filed under Blog, Uncategorized.
January’s storms tested the resilience of Maine’s coastal communities like no other time in recent history. During the weekend after the Jan. 13th storm, Island Institute’s team quickly decided to expand and redirect its Business Resilience grant program toward providing storm response grants to help rebuild critical coastal infrastructure. With these early grants, we wanted to help pick up those who were feeling knocked down and jumpstart the recovery process. In total, Island Institute awarded $250,000 in grants that were funded entirely by our donors and supported 52 grantees in 20 towns from Chebeague to Pembroke.
Building community through connectivity: 44 North Coffee
Posted by Laura England & filed under Blog.
This story is the first in a series about the impact of high-speed internet connectivity on Maine’s coast. To learn more about Island Institute’s investments in broadband infrastructure on the coast, visit our Broadband & Digital Equity webpage or reach out to cthorpe@islandinstitute.org. Have you ever wondered what it’s like to live in a place… Read more »
Electric Boat Course Ahead of the Curve
Posted by Laura England & filed under Blog.
As more electric outboard motors quietly emerge on Maine’s harbors, lakes, and waterways, a pressing question surfaces: who will maintain and repair them? As an organization dedicated to the long-term goal of electrifying Maine’s working waterfront, Island Institute convened a team of partners to develop a pioneering two-part education and training initiative.
Archipelago Artist Spotlight: Dylan Metrano, La Nef Chocolate
Posted by Laura England & filed under Blog.
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.
Municipal Digital Capacity – a Dirigo Moment for Maine
Posted by Laura England & filed under Blog.
This article is the first in a series by Island Institute exploring the topic of broadband and digital equity in relation to Maine’s municipalities. The series will celebrate many dirigo moments, but also reveal gaps in the funding and resources needed to support municipalities to achieve digital goals.
