Volunteer Day #3

August 25, 2013 was our last volunteer day of the season, and our most well-attended,  with over 30 extra pairs of hands on Hurricane in addition to our staff.

This team created an elaborate litter for the water tank to help them get it up the hill!

Tasks completed include:

• Hauling two 500-gallon water tanks up to the high cliffs.
• Sheathing the shed frame that protects our water storage tanks.
• Drywall mudding and sanding upstairs in the galley.
• Painting window trim around the galley.
• Tenting caterpillar removal.

It was a wonderfully successful day and tremendous fun–a great way to wrap up a fantastic volunteer season. Thank you all!

If you are interested in volunteering out on Hurricane, email info@hurricaneisland.net, or check here for our 2014 volunteer schedule

Cutting boards for the shed

August 16th Friend-raiser

We were excited to work with Chef Ladleah Dunn for a second time this summer for a farm-to-table celebration on Hurricane Island! 

Ladleah puts the finishing touches on the Goat Cheese Panacotta

The Menu

West side of the Galley finally complete!

Jumping for Joy! We're DONE!

We are so excited to report that we FINALLY finished shingling the West side of the Galley!! It was a great collaborative effort-- volunteers during our June Volunteer day stripped old shingles, and since then we have been picking away at the project.

June 25th Volunteer Day, stripping old shingles

Outward Bound Service Learning

Despite heavy rain leading up to their arrival on Hurricane, this crew of Outward Bound students brought a ton of energy to the island and helped us expand our water-diversion ditch down the hill from the ice pond. Thanks for all of your help!

This motley pulling boat crew arrived on Hurricane near the tail-end of their 22 day course. The sun peaked through for just a few days of their trip

Island Institute Fellows Visit HI!

10 Island Institute Fellows brought a ton of enthusiasm and help to Hurricane yesterday for some service learning. They helped us paint out 42nd street cabin and the back of the lab. They were so efficient they used all our remaining white paint!

Hannah Tannebring, one of the fellows, painting out 42nd street.

Wilderness First Responder Course

Our Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course is well underway, which means there are frequent screams from "victims" and many people that have gotten some moulage treatment and... aren't looking their best as a result. The WFR programs are always a blast, and what better wilderness to choose than Hurricane? Interested in taking part in a course similar to this? check out our programs and see when the next one is available!

WFR's learn how to properly assess and stabilize a patient when they first arrive on the scene of an accident

11th Annual Vinalhaven Race

Hurricane Island had a strong contingent of athletes at this year's 11th Annual Emergency Services Benefit Challenge. The race is a 2.8 mile run, 9 mile bike that can be completed as a team or solo.  Here are the results:

Mixed 11.8 Mile Run & Bike Total Time

1. Oakley Jackson, M24  Solo Male, 46:032
2. Sam Hollowell & Carson Cornbrooks, M35  Team Male, 46:53
3. John Dietter & Addison Godine, M47  Team Male, 47:48  

Come out and cheer for us next year! July 27, 2014!

Oakley wins! First place male and first place overall.

Science Advisors Meeting

The Hurricane Island Foundation conducted a planning meeting of more than 50 scientists, lobstermen, educators, public policy experts, environmental architects, and residents of the greater Penobscot Bay island community. 

A breakdown of the day:

• Welcome address (Barney Hallowell)
• A brief history of Hurricane Island (Cecily Pingree)
• A vision for the future of Hurricane Island (Barney Hallowell)
•  Island Facilities Tours – creating a sustainable campus
• Talk by Rick Wahle (UMO Darling Marine Center) on Lobster Populations in a Changing Environment – report from the USA-Canada Symposium held in Portland (November 2012) with lessons for the Hurricane Island Center for Science & Leadership
• Statement of purpose for the afternoon (Stan Cobb)
• An example from the field – Noah Oppenheim/Cannibal Lobsters Caught on Tape: the graduate research scientist’s role
•  Brainstorming: Community-identified Research Themes:

1. Key research questions (monitoring the ocean climate, key species, etc.)
2. The care and feeding of graduate research students
3. What infrastructure/equipment is required to make Hurricane Island into a functional field station? 
4. Art, Science, and the Human Endeavor: the place for the humanities in science at Hurricane Island
5. Getting Their Hands Wet: Involving high school students in ongoing science on Hurricane Island 

• Breakout discussions on topics and priorities
•  Groups Reports: “Major Findings”
•  Finishing Up: synthesis and recommendations