Distant Waves: Matinicus Island

Posted September 28, 2026 by Gerogia Howe & filed under Blog.

On Matinicus, an island located roughly 22 miles off of Maine’s coast, unreliable access to power has made day-to-day life more difficult for generations. This documentary, produced by CIC USA, follows the story of a community-led commitment to upgrading Matinicus’s energy system from a failing diesel generator to a microgrid primarily powered by solar and hybrid supercapacitor energy storage.

Word on the Wharf

Posted September 25, 2026 by Gerogia Howe & filed under Blog.

Bruce Doughty, a former commercial fisherman and Island Institute employee, shares what he’s hearing from candid conversations with Maine lobstermen.

Welcoming New Island Institute Fellows

Posted September 22, 2026 by Gerogia Howe & filed under Blog.

Meet the new Island Institute Fellows and catch up on the current cohort’s community-driven projects.

Reading the Shoreline

Posted August 24, 2026 by Gerogia Howe & filed under Blog.

ShoreCorps Steward Emma Polhemus worked with Island Institute staff and island communities in Casco Bay to assess shoreline erosion and offer potential paths forward.

Describe Maine’s Coast in 3 Words

Posted July 29, 2026 by Gerogia Howe & filed under Blog.

At a recent even on Peaks Island, we asked folks to describe Maine’s coast in 3 words! We compiled some of our favorite answers to celebrate our shared connection to place.

Innovation is Just a Ferry Ride Away

Posted July 24, 2026 by Gerogia Howe & filed under Blog.

What can Maine learn from Nova Scotia about electrifying a commercial boat? Island Institute’s marine electrification team traveled to Halifax to exchange ideas and bring home insights to advance the electrification of Maine’s working waterfronts.

On Kayaks, Community, and Collaboration

Posted July 22, 2026 by Gerogia Howe & filed under Blog.

Island Institute Fellows gathered in Stonington to celebrate successes, troubleshoot shared challenges, and recharge on the water. Emerson Wesselhoff, the Damariscotta Fellow, reflects on the theme of collaboration that framed the trip and her work in community.

A Coastal Maine Town’s Investment in Energy Reliability

Posted June 22, 2026 by Gerogia Howe & filed under Blog.

Brooklin sits at the southern tip of Maine’s Blue Hill Peninsula, surrounded by water on three sides and connected to the mainland by roads that cross saltwater bridges. Much of the town’s development is concentrated along the shoreline, where increasingly frequent and severe coastal storms threaten reliable access to power.

Boldly Navigating Change with State and Federal Agencies

Posted May 22, 2026 by Gerogia Howe & filed under Blog.

Maine’s island and coastal communities regularly grapple with climate and economic issues that originate from beyond their shores. Learn how Island Institute is elevating community concerns and leveraging key relationship with State and Federal agencies to tackle these challenges.

Nature-based Strategies 101

Posted May 21, 2026 by Gerogia Howe & filed under Blog.

As climate change impacts storm intensity and sea level rise, communities along Maine’s coast are facing extreme shoreline change. One way they’re tackling this challenge? Nature-based strategies