The Genesis Community Loan Fund has released a new video that highlights several islands’ efforts to halt the erosion of year-round communities. The Damariscotta-based organization has also launched the Genesis Islands Fund at the Maine Community Foundation to support island based community development initiatives.
The very existence of year-round island communities is being eroded by escalating property values, a scarcity of affordable housing and facilities, and uncertainty about the future of fishing in the Gulf of Maine. “I feel like this is a crucial period in history, about whether islands are going to be able to continue. There is enormous change going on,” comments Maine State Rep. Hannah Pingree (D-North Haven).
Initiatives on the Cranberry Isles, Frenchboro, Monhegan and Vinalhaven are featured in the video and may offer important lessons for island residents as well as coastal communities struggling with similar issues. As Doug Boynton of Monhegan states, “Islands are unique laboratories to see how man and nature can work things out together.”
Despite their successes, island projects often have funding gaps that cannot be met through local fundraising alone. In response, Genesis has established the Genesis Islands Fund at the Maine Community Foundation to be launched in conjunction with the release of the video. Through this fund individuals and foundations may make contributions that will provide matching funds for local island projects.
For more information about the video, “Against the Tide: Halting the Erosion of Year-Round Island Communities” or about the Genesis Islands Fund at the Maine Community Foundation, contact Garrett Martin at 207-563-6073 or visit the website at www.genesisfund.org. Information about screening times and locations may also be found on the website.
Following is a list of scheduled screenings:
Aug. 4 – Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, 2 to 3 p.m.
Aug. 5 – Curtis Memorial Library, Morrell Meeting Room, Brunswick, 7-8 p.m.
Aug. 6 – Camden Public Library, Jean Picker Room, Camden, 1-2 p.m.
Aug. 10 – Blue Hill Library – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 11 – Islesford Neighborhood House (co-sponsored by Cranberry Isles Realty Trust) – time TBD
Aug. 11 – Northeast Harbor Neighborhood House (co-sponsored by the Seacoast Mission) – 7 to 8 p.m.
Aug. 12 – Friend Memorial Library, Brooklin – 7 to 8 p.m.
Aug. 15 – Monhegan (co-sponsored by Monhegan Island Sustainable Community Association) – time to be determined.
A brief discussion will follow each screening with representatives of island communities in attendance pending availability. Additional screenings on Frenchboro, Swan’s, Isle au Haut, Vinalhaven, Islesboro and North Haven are being scheduled.