How to be an Island Fellow

Posted February 17, 2017 by Neil Arnold & filed under Blog.

Island Fellows live and work in Maine’s island and remote coastal communities for one or two years. Each Fellow is placed with a community organization or municulapality, working on anything from after school programming to energy efficiency.
We’re looking for the next group of Island Fellows to start in fall 2017. Wondering what it’s like? Here’s what current and past Fellows have to say:
Step 1. Integrate into the Community:

Catching Fish and Growing Kelp: Learning outside the classroom

Posted February 16, 2017 by Neil Arnold & filed under Blog.

When we talk about ‘fishing’ on Vinalhaven, most people think of catching lobsters, but in Port Clyde, fishing means more than that. A group of Vinalhaven students who are part of the Eastern Maine Skippers Program (EMSP) recently spent a day at Herring Gut Learning Center finding out about other fisheries and their place in the ocean food web.

Sea Level Rise: Practical Tools and Community Implementation

Posted January 19, 2017 by Neil Arnold & filed under Blog.

What can coastal, estuarine, and tidal river communities do about sea level rise and storm surge in Maine? We hosted a forum with GrowSmart Maine to start discussing the answer.

7 Questions Island Students Have About High School

Posted January 18, 2017 by Neil Arnold & filed under Blog.

High school. Think piles of homework, jammed lockers, running late into class because you got lost, super competitive athletics, and the ever-intimidating seniors strolling the halls. While it’s certainly not all like this, these are some of the images that we associate with high school, thanks to movies and stories we may have seen and heard. In reality, the transition from middle school to high school is a time of marked change, which can be scary and intimidating to navigate, but exciting at the same time. High school brings new freedoms and responsibilities, as well

Commercial Currents: Getting online and direct marketing

Posted January 10, 2017 by Neil Arnold & filed under Blog.

It can be difficult for business owners to find time to think of creative ways to market their business, but taking advantage of existing online marketing and advertising resources can be a time-efficient and effective way to promote and grow your business.

Finding a place on Swan’s Island

Posted January 9, 2017 by Neil Arnold & filed under Blog.

Swan’s Island is quiet, but it is a quiet I have grown to cherish. The Maine coast is cold, but in that coldness there is so much beauty and emotion. And I have spent a lot of time alone, but have only a few times felt lonely.

Application Window Opens for Aquaculture Business Development

Posted December 27, 2016 by Neil Arnold & filed under Blog.

Have you ever thought about gaining a new source of income through growing mussels, oysters or seaweed? Now is a great time to launch your small-scale aquaculture business. Through our Aquaculture Business Development (ABD) program, the Island Institute is working to help fishermen and people from fishing communities diversify into shellfish or seaweed aquaculture.

Maine explores solutions to ocean acidification

Posted December 15, 2016 by Neil Arnold & filed under Blog.

On November 15th, the Maine Ocean and Coastal Acidification Partnership (MOCA) – a volunteer partnership of non-profit organizations, academic scientists, and state agency representatives – met in Augusta to discuss what we know about remediation strategies for ocean and coastal acidification in our state.

Mapping the way for island high school students

Posted December 15, 2016 by Neil Arnold & filed under Blog.

A GPS will chart out a route for you, and direct you which way to go as you travel, but with a map, you can chart the route you want for yourself. A map is a powerful tool that puts you in the driver’s seat. At the Island Institute, we have created a “MAP” for high school students navigating the transition to post-secondary education.

Commercial Currents: Innovating to succeed in small markets

Posted December 13, 2016 by Neil Arnold & filed under Blog.

Along the coast of Maine, general stores host the hustle and bustle in these otherwise tranquil communities. While some are closing their doors permanently, there are many others that are finding ways to not only survive but really thrive!