Coastal Conversations | WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives

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Audio archives of spoken word broadcasts from Community Radio WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill (weru.org)

  1. 12/26/2025

    Coastal Conversations 12/26/25: Innovations in Energy

    Host: Galen Koch Editorial Help: Camden Hunt, Olivia Jolley, and Keegan Claunch Most of the music in this episode is by Cue Shop Coastal Conversations: Conversations with people who live, work, and play on the Maine coast, hosted by the University of Maine Sea Grant Program. Forms of sustainable energy. Resilience in Island communities. Economics and infrastructure of sustainable energy. Guest/s: Bruce Fernald – Lobsterman from Islesford Jamie Cook, Lia Morris – Senior Community Development officers, Island Institute Danny Fernald – Bruce’s Brother, Year round Islesford resident FMI: To view Versant’s connectivity maps, go to vpcapmap.cliffhanger-solutions.com/ For more information about the lobster co-op, go to littlecranberrylobster.com/ From the Sea Up is made possible by the Fund for Maine Islands through a partnership between Island Institute, College of the Atlantic, Maine Sea Grant, and the First Coast. To hear past episodes and for more information visit www.islandinstitute.org/podcast About the hosts: Natalie Springuel has hosted Coastal Conversation’s since 2015, with support from the University of Maine Sea Grant where she has served as a marine extension associate for 20 years. In 2019, Springuel received an award for Public Affairs programming from the Maine Association of Broadcasters for the Coastal Conversations show called “Portland’s Working Waterfront.” Springuel is passionate about translating science, sharing stories, and offering a platform for multiple voices to weigh in on complex coastal and ocean issues. She has recently enrolled in audio production training at Maine Media Workshop to dive deeper into making great community radio. The post Coastal Conversations 12/26/25: Innovations in Energy first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

    30 min

  2. 11/28/2025

    Coastal Conversations 11/28/25: Green Crabs

    Host: Asy Xaytouthor, student producer Coastal Conversations: Conversations with people who live, work, and play on the Maine coast, hosted by the University of Maine Sea Grant Program. In the past few years there have been attempts to build the green crab supply chain to respond to the prominent impacts of rising green crab populations in the Gulf of Maine. This month on Coastal Conversations, our student producer Asy Xaytouthor explores the struggles and strategies of creating a culinary market for green crabs in New England and beyond. Coastal Conversations is supported by Maine Sea Grant in partnership with Schoodic Institute and The First Coast. Guest/s: Hillary Smith – Research assistant professor of marine policy in the School of Marine Sciences at the University of Maine and research affiliate at the College of the Atlantic. Mary Parks – Executive Director of the Greencrab.org  Tae Chong – Director of Multicultural Markets and Strategies for the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. Thank you to Galen Koch, Hillary Smith, and Natalie Springuel for production assistance, and to Hillary Smith for research assistance. About the hosts: Natalie Springuel has hosted Coastal Conversation’s since 2015, with support from the University of Maine Sea Grant where she has served as a marine extension associate for 20 years. In 2019, Springuel received an award for Public Affairs programming from the Maine Association of Broadcasters for the Coastal Conversations show called “Portland’s Working Waterfront.” Springuel is passionate about translating science, sharing stories, and offering a platform for multiple voices to weigh in on complex coastal and ocean issues. She has recently enrolled in audio production training at Maine Media Workshop to dive deeper into making great community radio. The post Coastal Conversations 11/28/25: Green Crabs first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

    29 min

  3. 10/24/2025

    Coastal Conversations 10/24/25: Scuba Divers, Part 2

    Host: Kristin Zunino Coastal Conversations: Conversations with people who live, work, and play on the Maine coast, hosted by the University of Maine Sea Grant Program. This episode of Coastal Conversations is the second episode of a two part series about   Maine’s changing marine ecology from professional certified scuba divers occupying the Mid-Coast and Greater Portland area. We are joined by six divers with a total of 166 years of dive experience in Maine. With jobs in research, marine conservation, and scuba businesses, they all dive as part of their careers. Our local divers tell us their observations and predictions of change within their underwater secondary home. Coastal Conversations is supported by Maine Sea Grant in partnership with Schoodic Institute and The First Coast. Guest/s: Richard Wahle, retired lobster scientist at the University of Maine Levi Robbins, manager of Aqua Diving Academy Paul Rollins, the owner of Rollins Scuba Associates Phoebe Jekielek, kelp and shellfish scientist at the University of Maine Emily Drappeau, divemaster for OceansWide Marissa McMahan, Senior Director of Fisheries at Manomet Conservation Sciences and member of Maine Climate Council Thank you Galen Koch, Zach Soares and Natalie Springuel for editing and production assistance. Thank you Sean Todd for production assistance and support during the interview period. About the hosts: Natalie Springuel has hosted Coastal Conversation’s since 2015, with support from the University of Maine Sea Grant where she has served as a marine extension associate for 20 years. In 2019, Springuel received an award for Public Affairs programming from the Maine Association of Broadcasters for the Coastal Conversations show called “Portland’s Working Waterfront.” Springuel is passionate about translating science, sharing stories, and offering a platform for multiple voices to weigh in on complex coastal and ocean issues. She has recently enrolled in audio production training at Maine Media Workshop to dive deeper into making great community radio. The post Coastal Conversations 10/24/25: Scuba Divers, Part 2 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

    29 min

  4. 09/26/2025

    Coastal Conversations 9/26/25: Scuba Divers

    Host: Kristin Zunino Coastal Conversations: Conversations with people who live, work, and play on the Maine coast, hosted by the University of Maine Sea Grant Program. In this episode of Coastal Conversations, we will hear the voices, story, and hopes for Downeast Maine’s changing marine ecology by professional certified scuba divers. This is the first episode of a two part series showcasing scuba divers’ unique perspective of the coastal environment as they are fully immersed in the underwater landscape. We are joined by six divers with a total of 222 years of dive experience in Maine. Our local divers tell us their observations and predictions of change in the Downeast region. Coastal Conversations is supported by Maine Sea Grant in partnership with Schoodic Institute and The First Coast. Guest/s: Campbell Scott, founder of OceansWide Edward Monat or Diver Ed, founder of the Dive-in Theater Edna Martin, Captain of the Dive-in Theater Ed Leighter, recreational diver in Eastport and Mount Desert island Mike Staggs, member of a local dive club on Mount Desert Island Richard Wahle, retired lobster scientist at the University of Maine Thank you Galen Koch, Zach Soares and Natalie Springuel for editing and production assistance. Thank you Sean Todd for production assistance and support during the interview period. About the hosts: Natalie Springuel has hosted Coastal Conversation’s since 2015, with support from the University of Maine Sea Grant where she has served as a marine extension associate for 20 years. In 2019, Springuel received an award for Public Affairs programming from the Maine Association of Broadcasters for the Coastal Conversations show called “Portland’s Working Waterfront.” Springuel is passionate about translating science, sharing stories, and offering a platform for multiple voices to weigh in on complex coastal and ocean issues. She has recently enrolled in audio production training at Maine Media Workshop to dive deeper into making great community radio. The post Coastal Conversations 9/26/25: Scuba Divers first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

    29 min

  5. 08/22/2025

    Coastal Conversations 8/22/25: Maine Lobster Fishery

    Host: Tiegan Paulson Coastal Conversations: Conversations with people who live, work, and play on the Maine coast, hosted by the University of Maine Sea Grant Program. In recent years there have been some concerns that lobstering was headed for a string of seasons that produced lower landings, raising questions about the future. This month on Coastal Conversations, our student producer Tiegan Paulson will be talking with lobstermen and others about how to manage the lobster fishery to address changes. Coastal Conversations is supported by Maine Sea Grant in partnership with Schoodic Institute and The First Coast. Guest/s: Robin Alden – Former commissioner of the Department of Marine Resources David Cousens – Lobsterman and former president of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association Marshall Walker – Lobsterman from Swan’s Island Joshua Kane – Fisherman from Mount Desert Island Thank you to Galen Koch for editing and production assistance. Thanks to Natalie Springuel for production assistance and Todd Little-Siebold for research assistance. About the hosts: Natalie Springuel has hosted Coastal Conversation’s since 2015, with support from the University of Maine Sea Grant where she has served as a marine extension associate for 20 years. In 2019, Springuel received an award for Public Affairs programming from the Maine Association of Broadcasters for the Coastal Conversations show called “Portland’s Working Waterfront.” Springuel is passionate about translating science, sharing stories, and offering a platform for multiple voices to weigh in on complex coastal and ocean issues. She has recently enrolled in audio production training at Maine Media Workshop to dive deeper into making great community radio. The post Coastal Conversations 8/22/25: Maine Lobster Fishery first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

    28 min

  6. 07/25/2025

    Coastal Conversations 7/25/25: Maine Cod Fishery

    Host: Tiegan Paulson Coastal Conversations: Conversations with people who live, work, and play on the Maine coast, hosted by the University of Maine Sea Grant Program. Matt McKenzie saw the cod fishery collapse from the window of a school bus. He watched day after day on his way to school as the boats accumulated in the harbor. But that was only the culmination of a story that began over five hundred years earlier; a story of the greatest fishery in the history of the North Atlantic. This month we will take a look at the fish that brought Europeans to New England, the adaptations their ancestors made to keep fishing, and how Maine ultimately lost the cod fishery that had sustained this coast since long before white folks arrived here. Coastal Conversations is supported by Maine Sea Grant in partnership with Schoodic Institute and The First Coast. Guest/s: Matthew McKenzie – History and Maritime Studies Professor at the University of Connecticut Karen Alexander – Historical Ecology emeritus at the University of New Hampshire Robin Alden – Former commissioner of the Department of Marine Resources About the hosts: Natalie Springuel has hosted Coastal Conversation’s since 2015, with support from the University of Maine Sea Grant where she has served as a marine extension associate for 20 years. In 2019, Springuel received an award for Public Affairs programming from the Maine Association of Broadcasters for the Coastal Conversations show called “Portland’s Working Waterfront.” Springuel is passionate about translating science, sharing stories, and offering a platform for multiple voices to weigh in on complex coastal and ocean issues. She has recently enrolled in audio production training at Maine Media Workshop to dive deeper into making great community radio. The post Coastal Conversations 7/25/25: Maine Cod Fishery first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

    28 min

  7. 06/27/2025

    Coastal Conversations 6/27/25: American Bittern

    Host: Catherine Devine Coastal Conversations: Conversations with people who live, work, and play on the Maine coast, hosted by the University of Maine Sea Grant Program. This episode of Schoodic Institute’s podcast, Sea to Trees, begins with naturalist Laura Sebastianelli, who has dedicated her summers to recording all the bird songs in Acadia National Park. We follow Laura on her chase to record the American Bittern, learn why it’s so important to record Acadia’s birdsongs, and talk to all sorts of ornithological experts along the way. Coastal Conversations is supported by Maine Sea Grant in partnership with Schoodic Institute and The First Coast. Guest/s: Laura Sebastianelli, Naturalist Brooke Goodman, 2023-2024 Cathy and Jim Gero Acadia Early Career Fellow in Science Research Bridget Butler, Slow Birding Seth Benz, Bird Ecology Director at Schoodic Institute About the hosts: Natalie Springuel has hosted Coastal Conversation’s since 2015, with support from the University of Maine Sea Grant where she has served as a marine extension associate for 20 years. In 2019, Springuel received an award for Public Affairs programming from the Maine Association of Broadcasters for the Coastal Conversations show called “Portland’s Working Waterfront.” Springuel is passionate about translating science, sharing stories, and offering a platform for multiple voices to weigh in on complex coastal and ocean issues. She has recently enrolled in audio production training at Maine Media Workshop to dive deeper into making great community radio. The post Coastal Conversations 6/27/25: American Bittern first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

    27 min

  8. 05/23/2025

    Coastal Conversations 5/23/25: Bird Songs

    Host: Catherine Devine Coastal Conversations: Conversations with people who live, work, and play on the Maine coast, hosted by the University of Maine Sea Grant Program. In this episode of Coastal Conversations, we feature a Schoodic Institute Sea to Trees podcast about the birds in Acadia, their songs, and what we can do to keep them around. We begins with naturalist Laura Sebastianelli, who has dedicated her summers to recording all the bird songs in Acadia National Park. We join Laura out in the field and discover how her work extends far beyond the recordings themselves. We meet the self-proclaimed “bird diva” Bridget Butler who teaches us the critical importance of attention in conservation. And, naturally, no birding episode about the Schoodic region is complete without Seth Benz, Bird Ecology Director at Schoodic Institute, who provides insights into the challenges that birds confront due to climate change and shifting habitats. Catherine Schmitt provides a post-script commentary. Coastal Conversations is supported by Maine Sea Grant in partnership with Schoodic Institute and The First Coast. Guest/s: Seth Benz, Bird Ecology Director at Schoodic. Bridget Butler, Slow Birder. Laura Sebastianelli, Naturalist. Catherine Schmitt, Science Communications Specialist, Schoodic Institute. About the hosts: Natalie Springuel has hosted Coastal Conversation’s since 2015, with support from the University of Maine Sea Grant where she has served as a marine extension associate for 20 years. In 2019, Springuel received an award for Public Affairs programming from the Maine Association of Broadcasters for the Coastal Conversations show called “Portland’s Working Waterfront.” Springuel is passionate about translating science, sharing stories, and offering a platform for multiple voices to weigh in on complex coastal and ocean issues. She has recently enrolled in audio production training at Maine Media Workshop to dive deeper into making great community radio. The post Coastal Conversations 5/23/25: Bird Songs first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

    27 min
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Audio archives of spoken word broadcasts from Community Radio WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill (weru.org)

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