August 27, 2025
Investing in Resilience
Business Resilience Grants Help Lobster Fishing Families Build a Stronger Future
Rising costs, environmental changes, and shifting markets are reshaping the backbone of Maine’s marine economy: the lobster industry. Island Institute is working with fishing families to navigate these challenges by supporting small business diversification to create new sources of income.
August 25, 2025
Day in Community: Jack Sullivan, Multimedia Storytelling
Join Island Institute's multimedia storyteller, Jack Sullivan, for a day in his life of filming in Boothbay Harbor with the Maine Department of Marine Resources.
July 21, 2025
Telling Our Own Story
Building Local Support for Maine Lobster Harvesters Navigating Digital Reporting
Folks from across Maine’s fishing communities gathered in Stonington for a train-the-trainer workshop co-hosted by the Island Institute. The objective: to prepare trusted local volunteers to support harvesters as they navigate new digital landings reporting requirements in the lobster industry.
June 26, 2025
Takeaways From the Forefront of Energy Innovation
Island Institute reflects on National Renewable Energy Lab workshop
At the beginning of the month, several Island Institute team members attended a workshop put on by the National Renewable Energy Lab in Colorado. They share what they learned at the workshop, both from partner organizations and new energy systems.
June 25, 2025
These Are The Days in Maine
Island Institute's Susie Arnold reflects on the collective power of Maine's climate networks.
Island Institute's Susie Arnold reflects on the power of partnership at the 2025 Maine Climate Change Adaptation Providers Network meeting.
May 28, 2025
Energy Innovation Opportunity for Rural, Coastal, & Island Communities in the Northeast
Applications for ETIPP’s fifth cohort open now through July 27.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project (ETIPP) helps rural communities explore affordable, reliable, and locally driven energy solutions. Apply by July 27th to join the growing network of communities powering their own path forward.
May 22, 2025
Fellows Secure Major Grants for Island & Coastal Communities
Three Island Institute Fellows helped secure Community Resiliency Planning funds for host communities.
At the start of the month, Governor Janet Mills announced the award of $8 million in grant funding through the state's Community Resilience Partnership (CRP) to help communities protect people, businesses, and infrastructure from flooding, storm surge, and other climate effects. Three Island Institute Fellows––Claire Oxford, Thomas McClellan, and Alice Cockerham––helped their host communities apply for, and receive, thousands in Community Action Grant (CAG) funding.
April 16, 2025
Decoding the Future of Fishing
How Profit Decoder is Powering the Next Chapter of Maine's Lobster Economy
Island Institute is betting on fishing families—their knowledge, their adaptability, and their willingness to invest in their futures. The Future of Fishing project, in partnership with Profit Decoder, is not about abandoning tradition. It’s about preserving what matters by being smarter about how we operate.
April 11, 2025
Navigating Lobster Tariffs Webinar: A Resilient Industry Faces Uncertainty
Key Takeaways and Questions Answered
Following our April 3 webinar with industry experts, we unpack how potential lobster tariffs would impact Maine's lobster industry. This webinar was moderated by Island Institute’s Chief Policy and External Affairs Officer Nick Battista, the panel featured Luke Holden, Founder and CEO of Luke’s Lobster, Amanda Rector, Maine State Economist, and Eric Miller, President of Rideau Potomac Strategy Group.
April 11, 2025
Hopeful Persistence while Navigating Change and Uncertainty
A Policy Update From DC
Nick Battista, Chief Policy and External Affairs Officer at Island Institute, shares his reflections from a mid-March policy trip to Washington, DC.
