December 15, 2023
Stonington Talks Climate
125 community members joined the conversation in the first of a new series sponsored by Island Institute.
On Wednesday, December 6th, The Town of Stonington kicked off the first of a three-part series called “Talk of the Towns,” at the Stonington Opera House. Island Institute is sponsoring the series. The first talk: “Sea Level Rise, Warming & Storming: Navigating for Climate Resilience in Fishing Communities” featured a panel with Island Institute’s Dr. Susie Arnold.
November 14, 2023
Continuing Community Collaboration
Flagship Fellows’ Program receives Federal Funding Boost
The Island Institute Fellows program was recently awarded a USDA Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) grant for the support of three fellows including Grace Carrier who supports the Brooklin Climate Response Committee.
October 26, 2023
Island Students, Teachers, and Families Connect
Inter-Island Event tradition persists and continues to benefit island schools
The Inter-Island Event is a grass roots outer-island tradition that has taken place nearly every fall since the 1980s in which the children of Maine’s outer island schools convene on a host island for an opportunity to expand their social networks and connect with kids from other island communities. The schools that participate in the Inter-Island event have some of the smallest student populations—in fact, the children on most of these islands can count their classmates on one hand.
October 26, 2023
Supporting Coastal Entrepreneurs
USDA Rural Development Infuses Island Institute’s Loan Fund for Coastal Businesses
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an award on October 17 to Island Institute for nearly $87,000 from its Rural Business Development Grant program. These funds will go towards supplementing the Tom Glenn Community Impact Fund’s revolving loan fund.
October 12, 2023
Reflections on the Maine Climate Council Meeting
Maine Makes Progress on Several Fronts Toward Its Climate Goals
At a late September kickoff meeting for the next round of work by the Maine Climate Council, the Council and working group members heard from community stakeholders, legislators, students, and climate science experts about the how Maine has been doing in terms of implementing the 2020 Climate Action Plan, Maine Wont Wait as well as some of the latest knowledge about climate science and impacts to the State.
October 11, 2023
Policymakers Examine the Oyster Farming Process
Legislators Visit Bremen to Learn How Farmers Grow Oysters
Earlier this month, Island Institute hosted an aquaculture tour that showed local and statewide policymakers the lifecycle of how farmers grow oysters. This tour a variety of important legislators and others elected officials including state Sen. Cameron Reny, Reps. Allison Hepler, Victoria Doudera, Holly Stover, Lydia Crafts, and town officials from Newcastle and the Midcoast Council of Governments.
September 19, 2023
From Peaks to Penn
Emma Conrad of Peak's Island reflects on how Island Institute scholarships & grants helped her reach her goals
Emma Conrad grew up on Peaks Island and has been the recipient of multiple Island Institute grants and scholarships. Emma's reflection explores how she approached the college admissions processes, navigated the pandemic as a first-year college student, and utilized the resources available to her to build upon her interests and discover her passions.
August 28, 2023
Policy on the Pier
Legislators Visit Stonington to Learn about Innovative Aquaculture
As Maine's coastal communities navigate the challenges posed by a changing environment and shifting economic landscapes, one sector stands out as a beacon of opportunity: aquaculture. At Island Institute, we recognize the vital role that aquaculture plays in supporting our communities by allowing farmers small and large to find new forms of income and are committed to working with policymakers to ensure its continued growth and success.
June 15, 2023
Learning together on Cuttyhunk Island
TLC field trip connects students, parents, and educators from island communities
The Outer Islands Teaching and Learning Collaborative is a group of Maine’s one and two-room island schools that work together to support high-quality learning opportunities for outer island students. For 14 years, this Island Institute project has brought together students, teachers, and parents from these small island schools to share curriculum, learn together, and build social connections. Our field trips are an important component of this program, which is part of the Island Institute’s work to empower students, foster strong leadership, and create more resilient coastal communities.
May 30, 2023
The Ninth Artists and Makers Conference Brings the Creative Community Together
We were thrilled to bring back the Artists & Makers Conference this year and celebrate the theme, Together Again! With over 100 attendees, eight inspiring sessions, live music, Pecha Kucha-style (lightning fast, story-telling based presentations), and more, we considered the day to be a great success!
