photo by Scott Sell
For Immediate Release: September 25, 2012
Contact: Nancy McLeod Carter, ncarter@islandinstitute.org or 207-594-9209 x133
ISLAND FELLOWS BEGIN WORK ALONG MAINE COAST
Rockland, Maine – The 10 members of the Island InstituteÕs 2012-2013
Island Fellows cohort have recently started working in their host communities
along the Maine coast. Six new
Island Fellows have joined four second-year Fellows to bring an Òextra set of
handsÓ to assist with local projects in year-round island and working
waterfront communities from Casco Bay to Down East. These talented, energetic college and masterÕs-level
graduates will help move efforts forward in schools, town offices, historical
societies and nonprofit organizations during the coming year.
In
the Casco Bay area, Celia Whitehead, the new Chebeague Island Sustainable
Agriculture Fellow, is working with the
island school and the community at large around the topics of local food,
healthy eating and natural resources. Erin
Crowley, the new Long Island Community Planning Fellow, and the 2012 recipient
of the Louis W. Cabot Island Fellowship award, is assisting the town
selectmen and other town departments with community planning and economic
development activities. On Peaks Island, Maggie Small, the new Environmental Action Fellow, is working with
the Peaks Island Environmental Action Team on initiatives and strategies related
to environmental issues.
Farther
east in the Midcoast region, Alexandra Hodges, the Islesboro School
& Town of Islesboro Technology Fellow, and the 2012 recipient of the James
and Joanne Cooney Island Fellowship award, is
starting her second year of helping the school and the town with various technology
projects. Andrew Dorr, the Vinalhaven Community & Economic Development Fellow,
and the 2012 recipient of the Willoughby I. ÒTobyÓ Stuart Fellowship
award, is spending one more year
assisting the town and the islandÕs chamber of commerce with many community and
economic development initiatives. On Isle au Haut, Megan
Wibberly, the new Community Planning Fellow, is working on expanding
affordable housing efforts and economic development efforts.
Down East MaineÕs island and
coastal communities are hosting three Island Fellows. Kaitlin Webber, the
SwanÕs Island Fellow, and the 2012 recipient of the SwanÕs Island Fellowship
award, is beginning her second year with the SwanÕs Island community to
preserve island history while making it more accessible. Wesley Norton, the Deer Isle-Stonington
Elementary School & Historical Society Fellow, and the 2012 recipient of
the William Bingham Island Fellowship award, is working on
school-based technology projects and historical society events and initiatives.
Maria McMorrow, the new Downeast Salmon Federation and Washington Academy
Fellow, is working on a multi-faceted community-based fisheries
conservation effort in eastern Maine.
Based out of the Island
InstituteÕs Rockland offices, Hannah
Tannebring, the new Service-Learning Fellow, will work closely with all of
the Island Fellows to implement service-learning activities in their host
communitiesÕ schools.
Since 1999, more than 90
Island Fellows have spent their one to two-year placements helping island and
working waterfront communities remain vibrant places to live, work and educate
children. They are funded in part through a grant provided by the Corporation for
National and Community Service and the Maine Commission for Community Service.
For more information about
the Island Fellows program, please visit www.islandinstitute.org/fellows or
contact Christine Wolff, Community Service Director, at 207-594-9209 x102 or cwolff@islandinstitute.org.