Sea Level Rise and Climate Committee

Overview
In 2016, the Vinalhaven Select Board appointed a seven-member Sea Level Rise (SLR) Committee to begin exploring the impacts of sea level rise on the island.
 
In 2024, the committee (with prior Select Board approval) voted to update the committee's name to the Sea Level Rise and Climate Committee and to revise the mission to be threefold:
 
  1. To understand and assess threats to and opportunities for our island posed by sea level rise and the changing climate
  2. Make adaptation and mitigation recommendations to the Select Board, and 
  3. Regularly engage and educate the community about resilience actions
After inaugural years navigating sea level rise at the local level, the SLR Committee believes that
  • Focusing on long-term planning is essential.
  • Resilience measures need to be incorporated into all aspects of planning.
  • Climate change mitigation and adaptation are far less costly than inaction.
  • The climate is rapidly changing; current day projections need to be updated as often as new data emerges.
  • Climate change is uncharted territory; we must think and act boldly, creatively, and collectively
Events

Sea Level Rise and Climate Change Related Events and Community Conversations

Reports and Studies

The Town and the Sea Level Rise and Climate Committee have solicited and participated a variety of different Reports and Studies related to assessing the impacts of sea level rise and climate change to the island. In addition the Committee has drafted it's own report – an overview of the Committee's work and goals. Check out all the Sea Level Rise Reports and Studies here.

Citizen Science Projects
 
Flood Photos
 
Monthly Sea Level Rise (SLR) and Climate Committee Meetings
The Sea Level Rise (SLR) and Climate Committee meets year-round the third Tuesday of every month at 4:30pm.
All meetings are open to the public; the committee is an inclusive team and welcomes community inquiry and engagement.
 
Sea Level Rise (SLR) and Climate Work Group Meetings
The Sea Level Rise and Climate Committee has several subcommittees or working groups that meet as needed to conduct focused work in specific areas.
 
Outreach and Engagement Work Group provides information to the Select Board and broader community about SLR, community vulnerabilities, and strategies to build and inspire actions toward greater resilience.
 

Citizen Science and Data Collection Work Group documents local knowledge and collects site specific data to support SLR policy initiatives and help prioritize the implementation of SLR adaptation strategies.

Planning Work Group incorporates resilience into Town plans, policies, protocols, and ordinances.

For information about SLR meetings and projects, please contact Town Manager, Marjorie Stratton.
 

Committee Members

NameTerm Ending
Kevin Donovan

06/2025

Marian Grogan

06/2025

Linnell Mather

06/2024

Co-Chair

06/2024

Secretary

Molly Miller

06/2026

Yvonne Thomas

06/2026

Co- Chair

Margaret Qualey

06/2025