First published in 1984, Island Journal, Island Institute’s annual print and digital publication, tells stories of life in Maine’s island and coastal communities, the character and livelihoods of the people who call the state of Maine their home, the history of how we got here, and the interactions between humans and nature.
- 2019
The Secret Soul of an Island Shoe
Was it a talisman warding off evil spirits? A replicated ritual from across the Atlantic?
- 2019
The Schoodic Story
Peninsula has fueled vastly different visions over the last 100 years
- 2019
‘Creators in Arms’ on Swan’s Island
The two Garys—Hoyle, the painter, and Rainford, the poet—support each other’s creativity.
- 2019
Whelmed in Key Largo
- 2019
Nantaska: The ‘Islands’ of Nantucket and Alaska
A surprising commonality around tourism and resource extraction.
- 2019
Taking Stock of a Downeast River
History, heritage, and commercial viability of the last smelt run hang in the balance.
- 2019
Othered: Displaced from Malaga
Excerpted from an exhibition and catalogue featuring paintings produced by Daniel Minter’s artist-in-residency at the University of Southern Maine, Gorham, in late 2018.
- 2019
Coalition Building at the Water’s Edge
Resilience to sea level rise and flooding must come from the grassroots.
- 2019
Resilience is the Response to Rising Waters
- 2019
Folio: Lines (57° 59' N, 7°16' W)
About Island Journal
Life in Maine’s Island and Coastal Communities
Island Journal was first published in 1984 by Island Institute founder Philip Conkling, a writer, and co-founder Peter Ralston, a photojournalist. An early and key supporter, the late Betsy Wyeth, urged the two to produce a publication that stood out from the field of nonprofit reports and newsletters. More than 40 years later, Island Journal continues to meet that standard, gathering stories, photographs, and art that illuminate the rich culture of life on Maine islands and in its coastal communities.
The annual publication features the stories of those who live and work on the coast and islands, and reflects our history, the lessons learned, and continually looks toward our shared future. Today, many Mainers and Island Institute supporters keep a bookshelf in their home for their Island Journal archives, which collectively, contain the larger story of the beautiful, rugged, independent, and precious way of life in our island and coastal communities.
“It is, at the very least, bad manners to care about any aspect of an island and its phenomena, without caring also about its people—past, present, and future.” – George Putz, editor Island Journal (1984-1991)
Browse by Issue
Browse each digital issue of Island Journal, dating back to the first issue published in 1984.
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