By Tom Walsh It seems there is no better time to be living in the middle of nowhere. In fact, Maine might consider rethinking its archaic “Vacationland” license plate slogan. Maybe instead, “Birthplace of Social Distancing.” Maine has a population of 1.3 million people scattered over 35,383 square miles, including its 3,000-mile waterfront and hundreds of uninhabited islands. You do…

By Laurie Schreiber Ocean explorer Allison Fundis has seen many amazing things on her journeys to the depths of the sea. Thousands of octopuses brooding along the warm-water vents of…

We conducted very random interviews with fishermen at the annual Maine Fishermen's Forum in March, asking them what evidence of climate changes they are seeing on the water. PHOTOS BY KELLI…

By Sandy Oliver Recently, three days spent on the mainland prompted ponderings about what it would be like to live and eat there. For 30-something years now, I’ve eaten three…

By Nancy Lloyd The joy of teaching lies in seeing the whole class come alive, with everyone on target and enjoying the work. Working with the Telling Room process makes…

By Courtney Naliboff Ah, staycation. That portmanteau word might seem like a consolation prize—a vacation born of a lack of funds or time, but it actually speaks to a period…

By Barbara Fernald Activity on the islands, at the end of February and into March, is like a mirror image of the action at the end of August into September.…

By Philip Conkling One of the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic is that the fates of humans across the globe are inextricably linked. Fifty years ago, the idea our lives…

Some of the staff at the Island Institute agreed to share their thoughts about Earth Day, on this, its 50th anniversary.  Robin ChernowCommunity Development Officer, Education My first Earth Day-specific…

Half-Hull Modeling: Step-by-step companion, from plans to finished model By Greg Rossel/Greg Rossel Boat Carpentry Reviewed by David D. Platt We’ve all admired half-hull models of ships and small boats.…