Canaries in the Mine

For birds and those of us who regard them as environmental indicators, the news isn’t good. This summer we heard from the National Audubon Society that out of 600 species of common birds in North America, about one-third lost population in the last 40 years. Some species declined by 50 percent or more. The declines

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MOOOOOOO…

The Belted Cow Company of Yarmouth has joined with North Haven painter Eric Hopkins to produce an “Islands” belt design. Online at www.beltedcow.com. A percentage of the sales is donated to the Island Institute to support programming that helps sustain island communities in the Gulf of Maine. The belts (and matching flip-flops) are for sale

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“The Coast is Clear”

Children use the phrase when playing war in the backyard. If one in the group says that “the coast is clear” it means that it is safe for the group to advance. No enemies threaten. Whether or not a coast is nearby is irrelevant. The message suggests that the group can change position with minimal

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Grounding Charts and Ourselves

Two hundred years ago this year, President Thomas Jefferson initiated a project that’s still informing us: mapping the coasts of the United States. Like other well informed people of his time, Jefferson recognized that good geographic information was essential to commerce, safety and general well-being, and so he established the Survey of the Coast. Over

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Maine Island Students Receive Scholarships

The Island Institute has announced the recipients of the 2007 Maine Island Higher Education Scholarship, with more than $66,000 in grants — a record amount — awarded to 57 island residents who will be attending post-secondary institutions this fall. Awardees were honored at a luncheon on June 28 at the Samoset Resort in Rockport. Scholarship

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Islesford to hold annual fair Aug. 7

The Fourth Annual Islesford Fair on Little Cranberry Island will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 7, from 10am to 5pm. All proceeds from the community fair go directly to island organizations, including Islesford Volunteer Fire Department, The Nathan Bright Keegan Memorial Fund, Julie’s Garden, Islesford Historical Society, Islesford Boatworks, Islesford Neighborhood House Association, and the

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