127 gallons per year - that's all the diesel fuel it takes to keep the lights on through a typical four-month season at Shoals Marine Lab. How does SML manage to operate its facilities with such low dependence on fossil fuels? Find out on the Shoals Sustainability Tour, an immersive new public program developed because of our community’s growing interest in green living. Spend the day exploring Appledore Island alongside SML’s engineering and sustainability staff and a member of our corporate partner in sustainability, Unitil, for an in-depth look at how our remote island campus produces and manages its own power, water, and waste while serving hundreds of students, researchers, and visitors each year.
This guided island tour highlights the innovative systems that allows SML to operate predominantly on renewable resources, including:
The Green Grid – Explore our solar power array, energy storage systems, and engineering strategies that allow SML to generate 95% of its electricity in an environmentally friendly fashion.
Sustainable Water Infrastructure – Learn how we collect, treat, conserve, and reuse water.
Waste Reduction & Resource Cycles – See firsthand how composting, recycling, and responsible materials management support closed loop living.loop living.
Participants will also enjoy:
Lunch at SML, showcasing our tremendous kitchen team’s work and commitment to sustainability while overlooking the Gulf of Maine on the deck of Kiggins Commons
An overview of Shoals Marine Laboratory, our mission, and our impact on research, education, and sustainability
Conversation with SML engineers and staff, who will share the challenges and successes of running a fully functional island campus responsibly
If you’re passionate about sustainability, clean energy, or resilient community infrastructure, or if you’re curious about how island-scale solutions can translate to your own community on shore, this tour is designed for you. Come experience sustainable living in action—and leave inspired with ideas that can help build a more sustainable future.