Stephenie MacLagan, Senior Community Development Officer, Sustainable Community Infrastructure, Island Institute Suzanne MacDonald, Chief Community Development Officer, Island Institute Working alongside Maine's island and coastal leaders, the Island Institute catalyzes community sustainability and shares what works among these diverse communities and beyond. Maine island residents pay some of the highest energy costs in the nation. Our Affordable […]

Navigating the Second, Third, and Fourth Lives of Organic "Wastes:" Circular Food Systems and Curbside Compost Scrapdogs Community Compost According to a 2011 study by the University of Maine, approximately 40% of Maine's municipal solid waste (MSW) is compostable. What's the best way to divert food waste currently disposed as MSW? How can curbside compost […]

Six students will present seven-minute talks on their sustainability research in Maine. PowerPoint presentations are allowed but will be limited to 10 slides. Schedule 3:00pm-3:02pm Welcome – Linda Silka, Interim Director, Mitchell Center 3:03pm-3:10pm Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Teams: Challenges and Solutions Tony Sutton, PhD candidate, Ecology & Environmental Sciences 3:11pm-3:18pm Improving Weed Management for Organic Vegetable […]

Brainstorming and Pizza Dinner Where would you like to see UMaine sustainability efforts go? How can students be a voice of change? Meet student sustainability leaders on campus Discuss needs and the role of student leadership Brainstorm sustainability priorities as a student group Meeting attendees will include: Green Team student leaders Sustainability and Environmental Action […]

Speakers: Vicki Rusbult and Lee Umphrey, Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC) Eastern Maine Development Corporation, a Maine designated economic development district, has developed a new model of economic development. Economic Opportunity Response Teams (EORT) components enhance traditional technical assistance services by fostering fully integrated, collaborative relationships with businesses, communities, and individuals. The process is enhanced by creating […]

Speaker: Sam Roy, Research Assistant Professor, Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions Dam removal is now common practice for restoring natural flow connectivity in rivers, with significant benefits for migratory fish and their freshwater/marine ecosystems. However, dams are only one of several types of infrastructure fragmenting aquatic habitat. Though dams generally have greater impact, other man-made […]

A Power Point of Ted's talk is available. Speaker: Ted Koffman Affordable housing for low- and middle-income employees is nearly out of reach in some Maine communities. Mount Desert Island (MDI) is one community struggling with affordable housing for its year-round workforce. Data from the US Census Bureau indicates a growing trend for MDI’s workers […]

Speaker: Carly Sponarski, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Wildlife, Fisheries & Conservation Biology, Faculty Fellow, Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions Resilient agroecosystems have both healthy forests and healthy forest workers. This study will integrate natural and social science research, extension, and education to develop and test adaptive land management practices to protect private forest landowners, foresters, […]

Shifting paradigms to manage for change in Acadia National Park: Our approach and where we need your help Speaker: Abe Miller-Rushing, Science Coordinator, Acadia National Park Agencies charged with protecting natural and cultural resources can no longer simply work to maintain historical conditions. Rather, these agencies must manage resources in a rapidly changing environment. They […]

Given the current situation with the COVID-19 virus, and following guidance from the University of Maine System and the Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this talk has been cancelled. We will try to reschedule for a later date. * This talk is scheduled for 12pm in the McIntire Room, Buchanan Alumni House. Speaker: […]