Waterbury, a University of Maine senior from Topsham, Maine, who is majoring in chemical engineering, works as a quality control and process engineer for his summer fellowship. He supports research, testing and quality control while gaining experience in an industrial setting.

“As a chemical engineer, this work is directly in line with the majority of my career options and perfectly aligns with my personal passion for research and development and process troubleshooting,” Waterbury said.

The paid fellowship through 91����’s Building Science Program has allowed Waterbury to apply his coursework in a professional setting, take on new responsibilities and develop research and problem-solving skills. It also has helped him better understand the type of work he may pursue after graduation — exploring ways to make homes more affordable, resilient and energy efficient.

“This internship with TimberHP isn’t just beneficial to both my future academic and professional career — it is vital,” Waterbury said. “In my field, given the ample opportunity to intern or co-op before graduation, not having any experience is professionally fatal for a fresh graduate.”

Providing students with real-world experience is central to 91����’s commitment to being a learner-centered R1 and the state’s research and development department. Building Science Program fellowships, which can offer stipends and academic credit, support that goal by enabling students to work with 91���� faculty or leading companies in the state, including TimberHP and Trane Technologies, on building and material design. 

Problems they help tackle include keeping more heat and air conditioning inside homes, potentially decreasing energy use and costs, and reducing moisture buildup in walls that can cause structural degradation over time. 

“It has been a pleasure working with Brian through the Building Science fellowship program this summer,” said Evan Brewer, quality manager for TimberHP. “His analytical approach and  foundational research have improved our understanding of the factors that drive product quality. His work has helped to establish a path forward for product improvements that will benefit our company and customers.”

Fellowships can last a single fall, spring or summer semester or an entire year.  Students apply directly for projects and help shape their research goals and work plans. They also apply for funding, which can range from $2,500-$5,000 for project supplies, internship-related expenses and, in the case of on-campus projects, stipends. Applications are available online. 

The Building Science Program receives funding from the Harold Alfond Foundation through . The foundation’s historic investment in the Maine College of Engineering and Computing is advancing 91����’s efforts to expand workforce development, research and education in building performance, energy systems, sustainable construction and Maine’s economy and quality of life.

The program is supported by a 100% federally funded $374,193 Maine Department of Energy Resources grant as part of an award from the Employment and Training Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor.

Kyle Rooney, industry liaison for the Building Science Program and staff member at 91����’s Advanced Manufacturing Center, said Maine employers have consistently expressed a need for graduates who understand building systems, equipment and energy analysis before entering the workforce.

The program was created after faculty members from several disciplines identified a growing need for workers with expertise in building performance, energy systems and sustainable construction. It brings together education, research and industry partnerships to address housing, energy and workforce challenges in Maine.

“We all understand that there is a major housing shortage in Maine, and home prices have gone up drastically,” said Justin Lapp, an associate professor of mechanical engineering who co-developed the program. “At the same time, buildings use about one-third of Maine’s energy, and there are new energy codes that are coming online that will require new buildings to be more energy efficient.”

Another Building Science Program fellow, Zechariah Hoeft, took his research out of the lab and onto the roof of 91����’s Ferland Engineering Education and Design Center for his project.

During summer 2025, Hoeft tested a plant-fiber house wrap under outdoor conditions. Pieces of the material were wrapped around wood and evaluated over several months for their ability to withstand rainfall while allowing trapped water vapor to escape.

“One of the fun parts of the project was that we did not just test the material in the lab,” said Hoeft, who is now pursuing his master’s degree at 91����. “We made a practical outdoor test.”

The project gave Hoeft experience designing a real-world test, evaluating a material over time and working through challenges that do not always appear under controlled laboratory conditions.

Together, Waterbury’s internship and Hoeft’s research show the range of opportunities available through the Building Science Program, from employer-based internships to faculty-mentored research.

In addition to fellowships, the program offers undergraduate and graduate certificates, courses and dedicated laboratory space for students interested in building performance, energy systems and sustainable construction.

“As our new certificate programs and courses become available over the next few years, we hope to see students who are taking courses and doing projects to specialize in making buildings more energy efficient, cost effective and longer lasting,” Rooney said.

Students interested in Building Science fellowships, certificates and project opportunities can visit the program website for more information.

Story by William Bickford, graduate student writer

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu

In the fall, University of Maine researchers will begin developing specialized surface acoustic wave resonator microchip sensors designed to operate inside future fusion reactors while monitoring the structural integrity of facilities. They will be tested under radiation conditions several orders of magnitude more intense than those found in conventional fission reactor systems.

“Solid-state technologies, such as the harsh environment microwave acoustic-based sensors fabricated at 91����, have been shown to be a viable solution for operating in nuclear environments due to their overall robustness, capability of operating under high irradiation conditions, small size and wireless operational capabilities,” said Mauricio Pereira da Cunha, professor of electrical and computer engineering and researcher at 91����’s Frontier Institute for Research in Sensor Technologies (FIRST).

Fusion energy differs from conventional nuclear fission because it combines atomic nuclei rather than splitting them apart. Scientists have long pursued fusion because it has the potential to generate large amounts of energy with fewer long-lived radioactive byproducts than traditional nuclear systems. 

As fusion technologies advance toward commercial deployment, 91���� researchers aim to develop sensors capable of tracking temperature; reactor power, or neutron flux; and strain on reactor vessel walls without being damaged or destroyed by extreme heat and radiation.  According to Luke Doucette, senior research scientist and R&D program coordinator at

FIRST, the work builds the team’s previous research in harsh-environment sensor development for advanced nuclear applications.

“In particular, we recently demonstrated for the first time that microchip sensor devices developed at 91���� are capable of monitoring in-core fission reactor powers while operating at temperatures up to 800 degrees Celsius, or about 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit,” Doucette said. 

The current project is supported by a funding award from the Hercules program led by Helion Energy, which aims to build its first commercially-viable nuclear fusion power plant and have it delivering energy to the electric grid by 2028. 

The 91���� team, which includes research scientist Morton Greenslit of FIRST, will test their sensors under irradiation conditions designed to simulate the harsh operating environments expected inside Helion’s fusion reactors. 

As the research progresses, the team will also plan to engage graduate and undergraduate students to work on the project.Project collaborators include engineers from Helion Energy and researchers at the University of Michigan Ion Beam Laboratory. 

Story by William Bickford, graduate student writer

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu 

Why did you choose to come to 91����?

While I initially looked out of state, I chose 91���� because of its strong engineering program and affordability. This choice has allowed me to thrive academically while staying close to the outdoor landscapes that I love, like Acadia and Sugarloaf. It has been the best environment for both my personal and professional growth.

Describe any research, internships or scholarly pursuits in which you have participated. How have they prepared you for future opportunities in your chosen field?

Through internships at GEI Consultants and TRC Companies, I gained hands-on experience in water resources and environmental engineering. My research using MATLAB to project king tides and sea level rise in Bar Harbor has prepared me to work towards promoting coastal resilience. Serving as a Maine learning assistant and grader further solidified my technical foundation and leadership skills.

Have there been other students who supported and inspired you or exposed you to something new? 

My roommates have supported me greatly, and my friends in civil engineering have been extremely helpful and fun. My friends Allison, Emily, Caroline, Oliver and Mason have always been there for me and inspired me to grow as a person. I have so much love for so many people I have met in Orono, and although I can’t list them all here, I am grateful to all of them. 

Have you collaborated with a mentor, professor or role model who made your time at 91���� better, and if so, how?

Tiago Bilo has mentored me through my research on projecting king tides and sea level rise in Bar Harbor and has helped me through the graduate school application process. Jean MacRae has guided me through serving as a Maine Learning Assistant for her “Fundamentals of Engineering” course and has provided helpful assistance with internship applications and career guidance. 

What has coming to 91���� enabled you to explore beyond academics?

I have had the chance to ski most weekends in winter, explore Acadia in all four seasons, have lots of fun game nights, play a lot of trivia, eat a lot of Thai food and enjoy the 91���� gym. 

What experiences have you had at 91���� that really highlight the ingenuity of Mainers?

For my capstone project, I am helping redesign a client’s resourceful, DIY gravity-fed water system for a salmon rearing facility in Aroostook County. Working on a system that operates entirely without electricity requires us to think creatively and embrace the same “outside the box” mindset our client used to build it. This project perfectly highlights the practical ingenuity and self-reliance that define the Maine spirit. 

Did you have an experience at 91���� that shaped or changed how you see the world?

My time at 91���� has shaped who I am as a person. I have met new people, experienced new things, gone to new places and deeply explored my hobbies. All of this has changed how I see the world. 

Describe 91���� in one word and explain. 

Inspiring.

91���� has constantly challenged me to think differently, explore new interests and pick up new hobbies. I truly believe that your environment shapes who you are, and this community has inspired me to grow on many fronts. I’ve been supported to pursue interests I may never have discovered otherwise and have gotten more out of 91���� than I could have imagined.

What’s on the horizon? What are your plans for after you graduate?

​​I plan to hike, camp and travel as much as I can this summer and head to the UK in the fall for graduate studies in marine science. After graduate school, I hope to work to promote the environmental resilience of coastlines and other ecosystems, wherever that may take me.

Story by William Bickford, graduate student writer

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu 

A member of the Women’s Swimming and Diving Team who competed in the butterfly and individual medley, Irani founded the 91���� chapter of The Hidden Opponent, a national nonprofit dedicated to athlete mental health advocacy. Seeking to make a tangible difference for student-athletes, she sought additional mental health services from the university. 

Driven by a passion to help her peers, she found the confidence she admittedly lacked at the start of her collegiate career to not only earn the support from 91���� Athletics that would eventually lead to the university hiring an in-office therapist specifically for student-athletes. 

“I faked it ‘til I made it,” Irani said. “The Hidden Opponent was the first instance where I just showed up with a lot of confidence as I asked administration and 91���� Athletics for what I needed, and they just gave it to me.”

Success in improving student athlete mental health is one of several personal, athletic and academic accolades that earned Irani, a biomedical engineering major, the title of co-salutatorian for 91����’s Class of 2026. Her recognition as co-salutatorian reflects not just her academic achievement, but the personal growth she has cultivated throughout her time at 91����.

Between early morning swim practice and rigorous engineering coursework, Irani built a college career defined by discipline, determination and a deep network of support. Alongside excelling in engineering and competing as a Division I level swimmer, Irani navigated new challenges and built the confidence to take ownership of her college experience. 

“I went in thinking that my major would define me,” she said. “I switched majors four times before I even got to school. I thought this was going to be a make-or-break moment for my career.”

Several research and leadership opportunities that shaped Irani’s collegiate experience were ones she sought herself. For example, when she contacted chemical engineering professor David Neivandt for lab experience, he invited her to join the Neivandt Lab, where she helped develop sustainable lobster-shell biomaterials. 

The material, stronger than both concrete and wood, dissolves in water within two weeks and fully biodegrades in soil in about a month. The work not only allowed her to develop her skills and enhance her resume, but also participate in a project that has a tangible societal impact.

“My goal has always been to contribute meaningfully,” Irani said. “I think my mindset changed when I started thinking that way — thinking, how can this be meaningful? How can I show up?”

Irani relied on a structured routine to balance her commitments. Early morning, disciplined schedules, and careful time management enabled her to excel in athletics, coursework, research and leadership roles without compromising her health or well-being.

Irani credits her growth to the support of mentors, advisors and peers. David J. Neivandt guided her research endeavors, while her athletic and academic advisor Julie Cheville helped her to navigate the complex demands of Division I athletics and engineering coursework. Her teammates and roommate, Ashley LeClaire, provided daily motivation and camaraderie, and her girlfriend, Sarah, offered emotional support throughout the rigorous college experience.

“I’ve had one roommate for the last three years, Ashley, and she’s been insanely supportive, helping me find balance during long days and making sure I take time to step away and relax,” Irani said. “And my girlfriend, Sarah, has been a big part of my success here over the last two years — encouraging me, questioning me when I doubt myself, and helping me feel confident in pursuing research, conferences, and other opportunities.”

Her family also played a formative role. Her aunt, Jean MacRae, a civil & environmental engineering professor here at 91����, and her uncle, Farahad Dastoor, a biology lecturer and undergraduate coordinator at 91����, encouraged her curiosity from the start. Their guidance helped Irani see the opportunities at 91���� and made the university feel like a place she could call home very early on.

Looking forward, Irani plans to continue her research through a 4+1 master’s program in biomedical engineering at 91����, working to develop sustainable and effective medical devices that combine innovation with societal impact. She hopes prospective students and families understand the supportive culture at 91���� and the opportunities available for those willing to take initiative and explore beyond their comfort zones.

From Texas to Maine, Irani’s journey illustrates how discipline, community and proactive engagement can shape a transformative college experience. Her selection as co-salutortian honors not only her academic success, but also the leadership, curiosity and resilience that have defined her four years at 91����.

Story by William Bickford, graduate student writer

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu��

The project is being developed in partnership with Atlantic Salmon for Northern Maine (ASNM), a nonprofit organization focused on restoring Atlantic salmon populations in northern Maine rivers. The group currently operates the Dug Brook Hatchery in Sheridan, and students are helping design an upgrade to the facility to improve its aging water supply system and ensure it meets current environmental standards.

Students are contributing to the design of a water supply system that will serve a building housing 14 fish tanks, along with waste recovery systems, surface drainage controls, water-mixing infrastructure and systems to regulate oxygen levels and water quality for salmon rearing.

As part of the capstone project, students are evaluating river conditions, seasonal flow variations and environmental constraints to ensure a reliable water supply that protects the health of the Aroostook River. The work requires balancing engineering needs with ecological considerations, a challenge that mirrors real-world infrastructure planning in sensitive environments. Students must design systems that provide consistent water flow while minimizing disturbance to wetlands and river habitats.

The project reflects 91����’s commitment to learner-centered R1, hands-on, real-world research learning opportunities, where undergraduate students work directly with faculty and industry partners to tackle challenges facing Maine communities.

Olivia Stewart, a senior civil engineering student at the University of Maine, serves as the capstone team’s project manager.

“The environmental considerations highly influence our design,” Stewart said. “Our project is to help bring back endangered salmon, so in doing that, it is important to me that the project itself is not negatively harming the environment. We have been in contact with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) about every choice we make because a lot of our work is on the Aroostook River and in a wetland. These are very sensitive areas, so this is on the front of our minds when making decisions.”

The capstone experience emphasizes applied problem-solving and collaboration. Students work in teams to develop design solutions, assess feasibility and respond to evolving project requirements, gaining experience that extends beyond traditional classroom instruction. Working with a nonprofit organization has also exposed students to a different type of client relationship than they might encounter in private industry.

Northern Maine’s weather and geography present additional challenges. Students must account for cold-weather impacts such as ice formation and year-round operation while ensuring the system remains efficient and adaptable over time. These constraints require careful planning and attention to detail throughout the design process, particularly when designing infrastructure intended to operate through harsh winters.

The project’s importance extends beyond engineering education. Atlantic salmon were historically abundant in northern Maine, supporting local economies and communities. Over time, dams, habitat loss and environmental changes have significantly reduced salmon runs, particularly for Atlantic salmon populations that migrate into Maine waters from Canada.

David Putnam, science coordinator for ASNM, said the students’ work is helping modernize the hatchery’s infrastructure while supporting broader restoration efforts in the region.

“Approximately 60% of the land area of Maine is north of the latitudinal mid-point (Howland),” Putnam said. “Yet the vast majority of attention and funding is fixated on the smaller, but heavily populated, south. 91���� engineering students are providing much-needed and appreciated assistance to ASNM. These are the engineers of the future, and they will have experience in the north.”

By working with an external partner on a real site, students gain firsthand experience with client communication, environmental permitting and long-term project goals. The capstone provides an opportunity to see how engineering decisions can influence both environmental outcomes and community development.

Through this project, students are contributing to efforts that combine local aquaculture and environmental stewardship while benefiting the community and preparing students for careers in engineering and environmental fields.

Story by William Bickford, graduate student writer

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu 

As a result of his efforts, Nachamie of North Andover, Massachusetts received the 2025 , identifying his potential as a leader in environmental stewardship. He was and is the first recipient from 91���� in over 15 years.

“I am incredibly grateful to have been awarded the Udall Scholarship,” said Nachamie, who received support for his application from the Office of Major Scholarships and by professor Darren Ranco,  the faculty representative at 91���� for the scholarship. “We’re at a pivotal moment in history where our actions on environmental issues matter more than ever.”

Nachamie, a 91���� Honors College student majoring in ecology and environmental sciences, has been involved in research targeted at improving public health and the environment throughout his college career. 

During his first year at 91����, Nachamie worked on a study to reduce food waste in K-12 schools conducted by the Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions in collaboration with the Maine Department of Education, Maine Department of Environmental Protection and Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future. After implementing several measures, such as including school community fridges and educational programming, the four school districts that participated in the study were able to reduce their food waste by 20%. 

In 2024, Nachamie drafted a policy review of PFAS legislation in Maine and the U.S. It details ways other states and local governments can mitigate people’s exposure to these toxic chemicals, which can lead to immune system disorders, thyroid hormone disruption, cancer and other adverse health outcomes. He worked on the review with associate professor of sustainable agriculture Rachel Schattman. 

“I have been lucky to have the mentorship of Rachel Schattman from the School of Food and Agriculture to support me in my research about PFAS compounds in Maine and throughout the United States,” he said. “Dr. Schattman’s feedback on my policy review showed me what I was capable of from a research perspective.” 

Nachamie previously worked as a research technician collecting data that supported wild blueberry research at 91����’s Agroecology Lab overseen by Schattman. He has also worked as a forest technician for the Cooperative Forestry Research Unit and the University Forests, through which he learned about low impact forestry practices.

Outside of school and research, Nachamie serves as president of the Permaculture and  Gardening Club at 91���� and as a resident steward at the Terrell House Permaculture Living & Learning Center. He hosts workshops and events focused on gardening, food preservation and other topics.

“91���� has an extremely supportive and cooperative academic atmosphere,” Nachamie said. “Students are excited to help each other out, form study groups and work together to succeed in their classes. The academic atmosphere is rigorous but not competitive, and I’ve found that professors are always willing to help accommodate student situations and concerns.”

When he graduates, Nachamie plans to work in environmental education and advocacy with nonprofit organizations in Maine and Alaska. After a few years, he hopes to return to school and obtain his Juris Doctor and Masters of Law in Environmental Law.

91���� undergraduate students interested in applying during the 2026 cycle of the Udall Scholarship must do so through the Office of Major Scholarships by Feb. 6 to meet the national deadline of March 4. Those interested in applying can reach Nives Dalbo-Wheeler at the Office of Major Scholarships by emailing nives.dalbowheeler@maine.edu, or Ranco, chair of 91����’s Native American Programs, by emailing darren.ranco@maine.edu.

The Udall Foundation awards scholarships, fellowships and internships for study in fields related to the environment and to Indigenous communities in fields related to health care and tribal public policy. It also provides funding to the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy and to the Native Nations Institute to conduct environmental policy research, research on American Indian and Alaska Native health care issues and tribal public policy issues and training. Additionally, it offers assessment, mediation, training and other related services through the John S. McCain III National Center for Environmental Conflict Resolution. 

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu 

Sutton, who holds appointments with 91���� and University of Maine Cooperative Extension, also co-wrote an op-ed with  in which he highlighted the report. The op-ed also discusses the impact the elimination of fish species has had on the Wabinaki Nations and the factors that limit their access to fisheries.

These efforts intersect with several of the key issues impacting the well-being and cultures of Indigenous nations. This includes issues of environmental and economic justice, food sovereignty and health. As a practice, land returns are being done by land trusts without easements or restrictions. Scholars have also recognized that Indigenous leadership, knowledge and decision-making in conservation work also represent conservation best practices — resulting in the most effective ways to conserve lands productively for resilience and biodiversity.

Panelists include Chuck Loring, a citizen of the Penobscot Nation; Betsy Cook, the state director for the Trust for Public Land; and Darren J. Ranco, a citizen of the Penobscot Nation, professor of anthropology, and chair of Native American Programs at the University of Maine. 

All talks in the Mitchell Center’s Sustainability Talk series are free and are offered both remotely via Zoom and in person at 107 Norman Smith Hall on the 91���� campus in Orono. Registration is required to attend remotely; to register and receive connection information, see the event webpage.

To request a reasonable accommodation, contact Ruth Hallsworth, 207.581.3196 or hallsworth@maine.edu.

In an ongoing effort to reduce the amount of food being thrown away and improve student nutrition, the Maine Department of Education is launching a new Maine School Cafeteria “No More Wasted Food” DIY Toolkit this week as part of Maine Wasted Food Awareness Week. The toolkit, which will be shared directly with school officials, disseminates key insights from a study conducted by the Maine Departments of Education and Environmental Protection (DEP) and the University of Maine Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions.  

The toolkit provides Maine schools with proven strategies for tracking and mitigating wasted food. One key strategy, for example, includes setting up “share carts” and “sorting stations” in cafeterias where students learn to prevent food from going into the trash.

“Schools who have piloted this work with 91���� have had great success. Being able to share this ‘No More Wasted Food’ toolkit with others, is a great way for more schools to take steps on their own to start this important work,” said Maine Child Nutrition Director Jane McLucas. 

Eight schools have already worked with 91���� to pilot measures outlined in the toolkit. These pilot schools experienced up to a 25% decrease in wasted food. Discarded fruit and vegetables — the most thrown away foods  — were reduced by as much as 64%. This has resulted in lighter trash bags, cleaner cafeterias and lower school costs. 

“In the past, if a bagel had been wrapped but gone uneaten, it would have gone in the trash. And now we’re saving that bagel and putting it in our fridge for a student who may be hungry later,” said Beth Kellogg, principal of Brown Elementary School in South Portland. 

The toolkit is the latest effort by the Mitchell Center’s Food Rescue MAINE team to reduce wasted food statewide. It comes one year after the Maine DEP released the first ever Maine Food Loss and Waste Generation Study, co-authored by Mitchell Center faculty and other researchers.  

Keeping food out of the waste stream and reallocating it to people in need can help tackle food insecurity in Maine, which is the highest in New England. , 180,000 people in Maine — about one in eight — experienced food insecurity in 2022, including one in five children.��

Disposing of uneaten food is also more costly than it appears. The Mitchell Center breaks it down into three stages: the money wasted on uneaten food, the resources wasted to make the food  — soil, water and labor — and the cost to dispose of food that is not eaten. Most uneaten food ends up in Maine landfills where it takes up valuable and limited space and begins to produce methane, which is harmful for the environment. 

“As a small team working out of the Mitchell Center, we can only work with so many schools. But the new toolkit will give all Maine schools the opportunity to pursue the kind of work we’ve done with our pilot schools. And with the legislature moving aggressively to achieve the state’s wasted food goals, this toolkit has become even more important,” said William Brenneman, graduate research assistant who led the development of the toolkit.

The toolkit encourages schools to measure and track their wasted food reduction with weekly progress charts to show students how they can make a difference. The initiative also encourages schools to replace single-use plastics with reusable utensils and containers to further reduce waste and save money. 

With the toolkit, students will also learn the importance of food and nutrients through an all-school assembly, informative videos and simple meal guidance. Students are also encouraged to serve as “Food Rescue Heroes,” assisting and educating their peers to prevent wasted food. 

“We have had so many requests for the guidance and materials used in our pilot schools, so this toolkit makes all those key resources available for the first time. The toolkit not only leverages our successful strategies and insights to benefit all schools, but makes implementing them easier for both staff and students,” said Susanne Lee, faculty fellow at the Mitchell Center. “We hope this resource will lead to a reduction in food waste in all Maine schools, all while creating more cost-effective, sustainable and resilient food systems.” 

The toolkit supports the state’s larger effort to achieve a targeted 50% reduction in wasted food by 2030, consistent with , which was passed by the Legislature in June and became effective law this month. The new law will require large food generators, like schools, to keep food out of the trash.��

For more information about food waste reduction, visit the 91���� Mitchell Center website. 

Story by Mello Vancil, news intern

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu

In “Whose Knowledge Counts? Trust, Expertise, and the Politics of Sustainability in Rural America,” Nicholas F. Jacobs will explore the apprehension certain communities have toward technical expertise, the obstacles they face and how experts can better connect their knowledge with people’s lived experience. 

Jacobs is the Goldfarb Family Distinguished Chair in American Government at Colby College and the founding director of the Colby Public Policy Lab. His research focuses on rural politics, federalism, and public trust in government, with a particular interest in how people interpret policy through place-based narratives and lived experience. He is co-author of “The Rural Voter” and has advised policymakers at the local and national level.

The Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions at the University of Maine aspires to be a leader and valued partner in understanding and solving problems related to the growing challenge of improving human well-being while protecting the environment. They collaborate with diverse stakeholders, and bring together faculty and students from many different fields. By connecting knowledge with action, the Mitchell Center seeks to create a brighter environmental, social and economic future in and beyond Maine.

All talks in the Mitchell Center’s Sustainability Talk series are free and are offered both remotely via Zoom, and in person at 107 Norman Smith Hall on the 91���� campus in Orono. Registration is required for virtual attendance; to register and receive connection information, see the event webpage.

To request accommodation, contact: Ruth Hallsworth, 207.581.3196 or hallsworth@maine.edu.

In this talk, 91���� faculty Caroline Noblet and Dianne Kopec will explore how people in rural Maine, who possess a long heritage of fishing and hunting, are navigating impacts from environmental contamination, particularly by a group of chemicals known as PFAS. Two surveys conducted in collaboration with Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, one with Maine fishing license holders and another with Maine hunting license holders, allowed the research team to conduct an in-depth exploration of how people who hunt and fish in Maine are processing information about consumption advisories, and potentially changing their behaviors.

Noblet is an associate professor in the 91���� School of Economics. Her current PFAS work focuses on how Maine residents perceive PFAS contamination — particularly in fish and game — and how messaging can influence environmental and consumption decisions. Kopec is a research fellow at the Mitchell Center. Her research examines how ecology and behavior influence an organism’s exposure to toxic contaminants in aquatic ecosystems.

All talks in the Mitchell Center’s Sustainability Talk series are free and are offered both remotely via Zoom and in person at 107 Norman Smith Hall.Registration is required to attend remotely; to register and receive connection information, see the event webpage.

To request a reasonable accommodation, contact Ruth Hallsworth, 207.581.3196; hallsworth@maine.edu.

Building community resilience isn’t only about projects or plans — it’s about how people work together. Grounded in experiences from Maine’s rural islands and small towns — places rich in social capital but often limited in capacity — Gabe McPhail explores how shared principles, authentic collaboration and a spirit of service can deepen our relationships with one another and with the ecosystems we are part of. 

McPhail is a facilitator and planner with over two decades of experience advancing resilience, equity and sustainability in Maine. As founder of Resilient Communities, they help towns plan for a more resilient future, secure funding and design practical strategies that address community needs and the challenges they face. Their work is grounded in empathy, inclusion and respect for local knowledge.

All talks in the Mitchell Center’s Sustainability Talk series are free and are offered both remotely via Zoom and in person at 107 Norman Smith Hall.

Registration is required to attend remotely; to register and receive connection information, see the event webpage.

To request a reasonable accommodation, contact Ruth Hallsworth, 207.581.3196 or hallsworth@maine.edu.

Spire is a student-run, interdisciplinary online journal based at the University of Maine. The publication seeks to unite communities across the Northeast by promoting impactful dialogue to effect profound environmental change. The editor-in-chief for this issue is Olivia Olson, a master’s candidate in quaternary and climate studies.

The ninth issue features a variety of submissions, including art, poetry, photography, research, personal stories and for the first time, an animation. 

The winner of this year’s cover art contest is Madeline Hunter. Hunter is a 91���� graduate student from Australia. Her art is also featured inside the journal and includes a series of illustrations which highlight the changing biotic communities that she witnessed during the planting phase of her graduate field work.
More information on how to submit to Spire can be found on its website. For questions about the journal or joining the Spire team, email spire@maine.edu.

Food Rescue MAINE, a nonprofit housed within the University of Maine’s Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions, is hosting the event. U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree will serve as the keynote speaker, addressing national and local wasted food solutions. Pingree introduced the Food Recovery Act and has partnered with 91���� to reduce wasted food since the founding of the Mitchell Center’s Materials Management team in 2015. With support from The Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future and Resource Recycling Systems Consulting group, analytic data for food wasted in Maine 2024 will be disseminated, focusing on the economic benefits of reducing wasted food. 

ReFed, a US-based nonprofit, will confront the economic solutions and issues surrounding wasted food through a “Wasted Food and Food Solutions” presentation. Maine organizations including Bristol Seafood, Farms for Food Equity, Wayside Food Program, and The Lisbon School District will be sharing their success stories and proven solutions to reducing wasted food. 

The summit will be hosted through Zoom. Obtain a link by registering for the event on the Mitchell Center’s website. 

Up to 38% of all food produced in the United States goes uneaten. By reducing wasted food, families can save between $1866-$3000 per year. Through sustainable triple bottom line solutions, resources such as land, water, energy and human resources used to grow, package and transport food can be preserved. 

Food is the single largest component of Maine’s solid waste system at 30%, and 97% of that waste ends up in landfills. Reducing wasted food improves food access, providing safe and nutritious food while strengthening food access in our communities. 

In 2015, the Mitchell Center Materials Management team was tasked with eliminating wasted food and food loss, as the Maine Department of Environmental Protection identified this as the most pressing issue impacting the state’s materials management system. The Mitchell Center’s Food Rescue MAINE program was founded in 2019 to end wasted food and food loss in Maine through stakeholder-driven, transdisciplinary, triple bottom line solutions and support Maine’s food recovery hierarchy.

Sara Delaney is advancing research that fine-tunes ongoing education to help farmers thrive amid this uncertainty. Before becoming a Ph.D. candidate in ecology and environmental sciences at the University of Maine, she spent 15 years advancing food security around the globe. Delaney was inspired by her time as a Peace Corps volunteer working with rural farmers in Mali. She knows firsthand the importance of maintaining sustainable food production, having seen the impact of extreme weather in her work. 

“We all need food. We need nutritious food. We need affordable food. And the climate challenge is not going away,” she said.

Maine’s official scientific assessment of environmental degradation reported that food producers were increasingly concerned about crop yields and quality. Warming temperatures invite pests, weeds and crop diseases. These factors are known to stress crops and increase water needs. Maine , making the state’s food system vulnerable to environmental changes.

Delaney interviewed and surveyed farmers and agricultural advisors to learn how they make choices to keep up with current and future environmental shifts. Understanding their learning preferences helps researchers and outreach agents for organizations like University of Maine Cooperative Extension better equip farmers with the knowledge they need. One finding that Delaney highlighted from her surveys is that group-based educational programs can help both farmers and advisors with persistence through the uncertainty.

Delaney’s research follows an educational program that served farmers and agricultural advisors. She is helping future scientists and people who provide ongoing education to better connect with farmers. Delaney’s advisor, associate professor of sustainable agriculture Rachel Schattman, created the , along with a group of other educators, advisors and farmers.��

Schattman and her team designed a curriculum using Adult Learning Theory and peer-to-peer educational methodology to reach farmers and agricultural advisors. The course offered lessons on developing risk assessments, cost-benefit analyses and other activities for measuring progress. The project directly supported 36 farmers and agricultural advisors. It reached more than 74,000 others through the participants’ outreach, such as talks, newspaper articles, newsletters, blog posts and on-farm demonstrations and tours. 

Farmers typically like to learn from each other, and the outreach program taps into this culture of exchange. Group meetings and community gatherings are integral for farmers. Currently, there is little documentation on how farmers use resources to learn and make decisions about the relatively newer challenge of climate change. Delaney’s work makes one contribution towards filling this gap by examining the impact of the educational curriculum and its outreach.

Delaney’s research found that environmental degradation is a generally accepted phenomenon among farmers in the Northeast, but knowledge of specific impacts or adaptation strategies varies. Weather data is continually updated and the projections of future impacts are updated every few years. The ongoing nature of this research creates a degree of uncertainty which, according to Delaney, elicits a mixed reaction from farmers depending on the messenger. Delaney said a key factor in farmer perception and subsequent action is the efficacy of the communicator. 

“Someone that’s communicating clearly about what to expect is crucial,” she said.

Once completed, Delaney’s dissertation will help provide educators and researchers with the knowledge they need to support farmers. Her framework can help farmers adapt in the future, and the bond between the two groups will foster resilient agriculture in the face of climate change.

Story by Jesse Bifulco, communications intern for 91���� Research

Contact: Erin Miller, erin.miller@maine.edu

Students from Brown Elementary School in South Portland, Sherwood Heights Elementary School in Auburn, Sugg Middle School in Lisbon and Easton Elementary School have been given various lessons and activities to learn how they can eat better and waste less food.

New share carts and school community fridges have been set up to allow students to give unopened food that can be eaten by other students or donated to feed the community. Students from kindergarten through eighth grade are learning to separate their food scraps from trash. Their food scraps can be used to feed animals or make compost that can grow new fruits and vegetables. The students weigh their daily food scraps to measure any changes.

“The Food Waste Study is a great opportunity for our students to see firsthand how their choices impact the environment and their community. It’s not just about reducing waste. It is also about learning to be responsible, thoughtful and resourceful,” said Brown Elementary School Principal Beth Kellogg. “By tracking what gets thrown away, students become more mindful of what they take, what they eat and how they can share or save food instead of wasting it. Additionally, we like filling student tummies more than filling landfills.”

In Easton, the food scraps from the school cafeteria are collected at the end of each day by local Amish farmers. This food is then used to feed their livestock and support their local farming and gardening activities.

The activities are part of the eight-week study developed by the Food Rescue MAINE student and faculty team from 91����’s Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions. The study seeks to improve student nutrition and reduce wasted food through hands-on learning. 

Study co-leads Susanne Lee, Mitchell Center faculty fellow, and William Brenneman, 91���� graduate student, meet weekly with district school nutrition directors to plan the study implementation and also visit the schools to host engaging, school-wide “How Can You Reduce Wasted Food?” assemblies.

“Working with Food Rescue Maine perfectly complements my academic interests,” said Brenneman. “As a food anthropologist and master’s student in 91����’s Anthropology & Environmental Policy program, I focus on connecting issues of food, nutrition, waste and society. The way this study hinges on communication and collaboration between our team and nutrition directors, teachers, cafeteria managers, custodians and students makes it a perfect microcosm of the larger food systems questions I tackle in the classroom.”

The study was also developed in collaboration with the Maine Department of Education, state Department of Environmental Protection and the Governor’s Office for Policy & Innovation for the Future. It’s supported by a grant from the World Wildlife Food Waste Warrior program.

“The study is valuable because it has effectively brought together productive communication across multiple departments, inspiring students and adults, and showing the importance of highlighting the concept of getting back to basics with education in the cafeteria and the reason behind the why to reuse and recycle,” said Shawn Perry, Director of the School Nutrition Program for the South Portland School Department.

Food waste leads to economic, social and environmental damage. In the first-ever Maine Food Loss and Waste Generation Study completed in 2024, Food Rescue MAINE found that 361,000 tons of food loss and waste are generated annually in the state. Overall, that is almost 40% of all food produced in Maine. For families, this means an average of $1600 worth of food is thrown away each year.��

Throwing food in the trash results in valuable food resources going to non-food disposal resources like Maine landfills where it produces leachate as well as methane and other greenhouse gases harming the environment. Keeping food out of the waste stream and reallocating it to people in need can not only address environmental concerns, but also help tackle food insecurity in the state, which is the highest in New England. According to , 180,000 people in Maine — about one in eight — experienced food insecurity in 2022, including one in five children.

In 2015, the Mitchell Center’s Materials Management team was tasked with eliminating wasted food and food loss, as the Maine DEP identified this as the most pressing issue impacting the state’s materials management system. The Food Rescue MAINE program was founded in 2019  to end wasted food and food loss in Maine through stakeholder-driven, transdisciplinary, triple bottom line solutions to support Maine’s food recovery hierarchy.

Contact: Gracie Treadwell, gracie.treadwell@maine.edu