by Margaret Snell
On May 13, as part of AmeriCorps week, four island fellows will work with Isle au Haut community members to clear trails and clean beaches in Acadia National Park on Isle au Haut. Isle au Haut is located in eastern Penobscot bay, seven miles from Stonington, and has been my home since mid September. I came to the island as a fellow with the Island institute after I finished graduate school. Island fellows live in year round island or coastal communities for one or two years while working on projects related to the sustainability of the communities.
These projects include town planning, economic development, artistic outreach, educational programs, and historic preservation. My project focuses on developing and writing , along with the Comprehensive Planning Committee, the comprehensive plan for the town of Isle au Haut. The plan will provide a basis for town ordinances and help fulfill the community vision: To build a sustainable year round island community and preserve the natural beauty and unique character of the island.
About 50 people live on Isle au Haut year round, and there are six students in a school that serves grades K-8. The year round population is decreasing and school enrollment is at a critical level: next year’s enrollment is projected to be three students. In the summer, the population grows to around 300. Many residents lobster, but carpentry and other enterprises also provide important income. The Isle au Haut Boat Company provides passenger, freight and mail service to the island, but there is no car ferry. The natural environment and remote location create a particular quality of place, and is one of the Islands greatest strengths, as well as a weakness. More than half of Isle au Haut is within the boundaries of Acadia National Park. Trails lead to rugged mountains, dramatic coastal cliffs and serene bogs. Community members depend on each other for safety, entertainment and success.
Winter storms took a toll on the spruce forests, leaving blow-downs on trails. In addition, the sea deposited mangled lobster traps, buoys, and other random items on the stony beaches. I will be joined by Emma Miran, Stonington Fellow, Jessica Bellah, Frenchboro fellow, Meghan Vigeant, Swans Island Fellow, and community members to clear blow downs and pick up beach debris. This project will help maintain outdoor recreation opportunities for the Isle au Haut community and visitors to the National Park and also provide an opportunity to enjoy Isle au Haut’s natural landscapes while working with others toward a common cause: a true island experience.
Margaret Snell is an Isle au Haut Fellow with the Island Institute and is a guest blogger.
Editor’s Note: AmeriCorps Week is a recruitment and recognition event designed to bring more Americans into service, salute AmeriCorps members and alums for their powerful impact, and thank the community partners who make AmeriCorps possible. The fourth annual AmeriCorps Week will take place May 8-15, 2010. Click here for a list of volunteer opportunities in Maine.
