Press Releases

Senior leader Charles French brings 30+ years of community and economic development experience to Maine’s coast  

Island Institute is thrilled to announce the appointment of Bob Baines and Pamela Baker-Masson to its board of trustees.

Island Institute is pleased to announce the hiring of Charles Eichacker as Editor. Eichacker will lead Island Institute's signature publications: The Working Waterfront newspaper and Island Journal annual magazine.

Island Institute has awarded $214,000 in Glenn Fund Community Impact Grants to 56 projects advancing climate solutions, economic opportunity, and community resilience across Maine’s coast and islands.   This year’s awards reflect the grit, ingenuity, and determination of people who live and work in Maine’s island and coastal communities.

Island Institute is pleased to announce the promotion of Peter King to Chief Financial Officer. After seven years serving as Operations Coordinator, Budget Manager, and most recently Director of Financial Operations, King now joins Island Institute’s senior leadership team.

Island Institute is pleased to announce three new leadership appointments across operations, policy, and philanthropy that will strengthen the organization’s ability to deliver its mission: to boldly navigate climate and economic change with island and coastal communities to expand opportunities and deliver solutions.

Island Institute is pleased to announce that Jessica Reilly-Moman, Ph.D., will be joining the organization as the Director of the Center for Climate and Community. A dedicated social scientist, ecologist, and writer, Dr. Reilly-Moman brings over twenty-five years of experience and a deep passion for accelerating climate action for coastal communities.

Island Institute is proud to announce a $1.4 million award from the Small Business Administration to support Maine's lobster industry and enhance the economic resilience of the coastal communities dependent on this vital fishery.

Rockland, ME, August 13, 2024 – Island Institute proudly celebrated the 25th anniversary of its Fellows Program on August 8th at the Rockport Opera House. The event brought together a vibrant assembly of past, current, and incoming Fellows, advisors, community members, and supporters, all gathered to honor a program that has profoundly shaped both Maine’s coastal communities and the careers of its participants.

Rockland, ME – Island Institute recently appointed four new members to its board of trustees. Each member will support and guide the Institute’s mission to boldly navigate climate and economic change with island and coastal communities to expand opportunities and deliver solutions.