Protecting Maine's Environment

Since 1959

Protecting the nature of Maine since 1959, by harnessing the power of science, the law, and the voices of people who value Maine's environment.

Listen to the Latest Frontline Voices Podcast

On September 29th, hundreds of Mainers gathered on the banks of the Androscoggin River in Lewiston to honor some of Maine’s 100 Clean Water Champions and celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act. We spoke with a few of the Champions for this podcast episode and asked them to share their unique connection to clean water in Maine. Together, these interviews provide a snapshot into the passion and dedication of everyday Mainers to protect the clean water that makes our state so special.

Listen to the podcast

Fall in to Winter Photo Contest

Fall in Maine…there’s nothing like it! The same is true for winter. We are again celebrating two of Maine’s spectacular seasons with our second annual Fall in to Winter photo contest. This year, we’ve added new categories. We want to see your LANDSCAPE fall and winter photos, but we also want to see photos of PEOPLE outside enjoying fall and winter activities like hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, sledding, and more. Deadline to enter: Feb. 15, 2023

Learn more & enter

Join Us in Hallowell to Celebrate Conservation Leadeship Award Recipients

Our Conservation Leadership Awards celebration will be an in-person event this year, on Wednesday, October 26, at Maple Hill Farm in Hallowell. Join us as we honor this year's awardees: Dr. Steve Kress, Frenchman Bay United, Dr. Robin Hadlock Seeley, Troy Moon, and Julie Rosenbach, as well as our 2022 People's Choice Award winner. RSVP and proof of Covid vaccination are required to attend.

RSVP today!

News from NRCM

News & Noteworthy — September 2022

September 30, 2022
Read highlights from September 2022 news stories and opinion pieces related to the environment, including Maine’s air, land, water, and wildlife, in this News & Noteworthy from the Natural Resources Council of Maine. September 30, 2022 We didn't want to wait until next week to share the fantastic news stories...

Maine Clean Water Champions Named

September 20, 2022
Will be honored at Clean Water Act 50th Anniversary event  NRCM news release September 20, 2022 (Augusta, ME) – A broad range of volunteers and professionals have been honored as “Clean Water Champions” in Maine as part of a year-long celebration for the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act....

New England for Offshore Wind Coalition Announces Agreement on Transmission Principles

September 8, 2022
Coalition Urges Lawmakers, Developers to Adopt Principles News release BOSTON – September 6, 2022 – The New England for Offshore Wind (@NE4OSW) coalition, in collaboration with coalition member Acadia Center, today released a set of Transmission Principles to help advance new transmission investments critically needed for offshore wind. The Transmission...

Background photo: Spring in Wales, Maine, by Jym St. Pierre

Explore Maine

Enjoy the Great Outdoors

Find hiking trails, beaches, paddles, bike paths, & more with our interactive Explore Maine Map. New LMF sites and accessible trails have been added!
View the map & learn more.
Learn about our Maine Sporting Camp & Outdoor Recreation Discount Program.

Attend an Event

Find out about events & webinars NRCM is hosting or taking part in throughout Maine. Plan to attend!
View events

Get NRCM T-shirts, Caps, Totes, & More

Get one of our new NRCM logo beanies before they're gone! Also purchase NRCM made-in-the-USA caps, t-shirts featuring beautiful artwork by Maine artist Jon Luoma, mugs, totes, & more, all in support of our work to protect the nature of Maine.

View online store

New from NRCM's "Nature of Maine" Blog

"What's Up with the Bald Birds?"

Several birders recently reported seeing bald birds in their yards. NRCM's birding experts give you the, um, bald truth in the latest Birding with Jeff and Allison blog.
Read Jeff and Allison's blog

Quiet and Proud: What Electric Vehicle Owners are Saying

NRCM's Climate Outreach Coordinator Josh Caldwell spent time this summer talking with electric vehicle owners from around the state to learn more about why and how they use their EVs. Hear from several Mainers who took our EV survey in this blog post.

Read Josh's blog

Critter Chatter – Fall Preparations

Jayne Winters tells us about a recent visit she had with Don Cote of the Duck Pond Wildlife Rehab Center and what Don is doing to prepare his animals for winter. Also learn more about Don's work and how you can support him as he protects and rehabilitates Maine wildlife.

Read Critter Chatter

Explore Maine with NRCM

This year's Explore Maine highlights beautiful Maine waters in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. Hear from staff, board, and members about favorite waterways across Maine and what clean water means to them.

Then check out reviews of several books written by NRCM members, and cool nature apps recommended by our staff. And don't forget to print off our Clean Water Word Search, too!

As always, we encourage you to visit our Explore Maine Map to find public lands in all 16 counties to visit for hikes, paddles, picnics, fishing, and more. This year we have added nearly 20 new Land for Maine's Future sites as well as 13 accessible trails around the state, with more being added soon.

See What's Inside This Year's "Explore Maine"

My Maine This Week

View of Scarborough Marsh in fall from Eastern Trail

My Maine This Week: Colin Durrant

By NRCM | September 26, 2022
Long Mountain

My Maine This Week: Linda Woods

By NRCM | September 19, 2022
sunset over boats in Tenants Harbor

My Maine This Week: Steve Cartwright

By NRCM | September 12, 2022
orange sunset over Indian Pond

My Maine This Week: David Preston

By NRCM | September 5, 2022
Otter Pond

My Maine This Week: Sam Horine

By NRCM | August 29, 2022
North Lubec

My Maine This Week: Ted Anderson

By NRCM | August 22, 2022
Megunticook Lake in Camden

My Maine This Week: Larry Mingledorff

By NRCM | August 15, 2022
rainbow over Bigelow

My Maine This Week: Barbara Heap

By NRCM | August 8, 2022
children playing in ocean

My Maine This Week: Kim Koza

By NRCM | August 1, 2022
Reduce Your Use brochure

Sustain ME

A feature to help you help the planet.

Reduce Your Use: Tips for Reducing Your Footprint on the Environment

Do you know how much food the average Maine family of four wastes each year? Do you want to learn ways to reduce your food waste, plastic bag and foam food container use? This brochure includes tips about how to lessen your impact on the environment and save money by making simple changes to your daily habits. Request a free brochure today!

Creature Feature

Creature Feature: Spotted Salamander

Do you know how long a spotted salamander can live? Do you know what they can do that no other creature with a backbone can do? Find out the answers to these questions and more in our new Creature Feature written by Greg LeClair, founder of Maine Big Night and a 2022 Brookie Award winner.

NRCM Publications and Maine Environment Newsletters

Featured: Clean Housekeeping—Toxic-free solutions for your home, yard, & garden

Find out how to clean, control pests, and dispose of household cleaning products in a way that's healthy for your family and the environment! NRCM's Clean and Healthy Housekeeping brochure features dozens of easy "recipes" to clean drains, control ants and insects, polish your shoes, and more-the non-toxic way.

NRCM is dedicated to making information available on issues facing Maine’s environment and the people who rely upon it. Our publications, including our Maine Environment newsletters, will, we hope, help you better understand the topic of interest and provide you with information that you can use in your own work on behalf of the people, wildlife, and environment of Maine.

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Banner photo: Nesowadnehunk Falls, by David Preston