A big island welcome to our new Fellow from Island Institute! Learn a bit more about Lorren and her projects and goals while she's here on Chebeague for the next two years!

 

Hi! I’m Lorren Ruscetta, the new Island Institute Fellow on Chebeague Island. For the next two years, I will be living and working with you all on Chebeague to support community-led actions to promote the resilience of the island for future generations. Before arriving here, I was a graduate student and researcher at the University of Delaware studying Marine Policy. My research focused on developing policy recommendations to promote stronger community engagement practices in the context of marine renewable energy development, like offshore wind. I engaged coastal communities throughout the Northeast and West Coast through surveys and in-depth interviews to understand local impacts and experiences of energy development, with a focus on effects to commercial fisheries and communities hosting project infrastructure. My work is informed by the belief that communities should have opportunities to benefit from the necessary energy transition we face, can offer essential perspectives to decision-making processes, and that their lived experiences and connection to places they love are essential grounding points for policy. When I’m not at work, you will likely find me exploring the island on foot or bicycle, jumping in the ocean, or reading a book. If you see me out and about, please don’t hesitate to say hello! 

 

The first project I will be diving into is a shoreline access inventory. The ability to access the shore is one of the many amazing parts of living on or visiting Chebeague Island. However, accessing the shore has become confusing and at times dangerous due to the shifting sands on the coastline from erosion, damage to infrastructure from storms, and dynamic understandings of private property lines. This project looks to provide clarity and an opportunity for collaborative understanding of shoreline access through engaging in mixed methods data collection and community engagement. These actions will inform the creation of a shoreline access inventory along with literature and signage to promote continued understanding of shoreline access for future visitors and new community members. The most important thing to me is making sure that this inventory is co-led by the community of Chebeague Island, so I would love to hear from you! Whether it is a beach walk-and-talk at your favorite place that you may be worried about the future of, a visit to the town office, a phone call, or coffee at your place, I’d love a chance to understand your perspective.

 

Visit the Town office Monday’s between 9:00-11:30AM and 3:00-4:00 for Fellow Office Hours to chat with or ask Lorren any questions you may have! 

Or send Lorren an email at lruscetta@islandinstitute.org