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.

Explore Maine with NRCM

This year's Explore Maine highlights beautiful Maine waters in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. Her 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"

Listen to the Latest Frontline Voices Podcast

This month, we’ll be joining many others in celebrating the sixth anniversary of the creation of the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument. In this episode, we speak with Sam Deeran, Acting Executive Director of the Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters, about the enormous success of the Monument, what’s changed in those six years, and what visitors can expect in the coming years.

Listen to the podcast

Come Work with Us: We're Hiring

NRCM is looking for an Office Coordinator to work in our Augusta office to help the Administration team manage day-to-day operations. The Office Coordinator is an administrative professional responsible for managing office communications and facilitating key tasks and procedures including answering phones, greeting the public, preparing, and processing the accounts payable, managing office supplies, and overseeing and maintaining the office equipment and facilities. Applications due by August 26.

Learn more & apply

Survey of Maine EV Owners Shows Reliability, Cost Savings Among Top Benefits

A new survey of electric vehicle (EV) owners in all 16 Maine counties shows that Mainers value EVs for their reliability, performance, and the cost savings they provide. The survey found that 98% of EV owners would recommend them to their neighbors. “I decided to go electric because it just made a lot of sense to me. The downside was I was a little timid, so at first I bought a plug-in hybrid. But my next car is going to be purely electric. It’s just reached the point of reliability that it’s a no brainer for me,” said Jim Mitchell of Old Town.

Download & Read Full Report

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

Nominate Your Choice for NRCM's People's Choice Award

You still have time to send us your nomination for NRCM's 2022 People’s Choice Award! This is your chance to bring praise and recognition to someone who goes above and beyond to protect Maine’s air, land, water, or wildlife. Maybe you know someone who is helping to protect a special area or make their school “greener.” Or took a stand against polluters, or pushed for legislation safeguarding Maine's environment. Learn more & send your nomination by Friday, August 19!

Send Your People's Choice Nomination

News from NRCM

News & Noteworthy — August 2022

August 18, 2022
Read highlights from August 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. August 18, 2022 This week, Senator Susan Collins helped secure funding so that the Biddeford Saco Old...

Survey of Maine EV Owners Shows Reliability, Cost Savings Among Top Benefits

August 17, 2022
NRCM news release August 17, 2022 (Augusta, ME) – A new survey of electric vehicle owners in all 16 of Maine’s counties shows that Maine people value electric vehicles (EVs) for their reliability, performance, and the cost savings they provide. The survey conducted by the Natural Resources Council of Maine...

New Members Elected to NRCM Board of Directors

August 11, 2022
August 11, 2022 (Augusta, Maine) — Maine’s leading environmental advocacy group, the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), is pleased to announce that four new members have been elected to its 22-member Board of Directors. The new members bring with them a wide range of experience and perspectives that will...

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

New from NRCM's "Nature of Maine" Blog

4 Ways the Historic Climate Bill Will Benefit Mainers

NRCM Climate & Clean Energy Director Jack Shapiro shares why the Inflation Reduction Act is good news for Maine. This historic investment in climate action and clean energy will "have big benefits for Maine people by making clean energy, home efficiency and electrification, and electric vehicles more affordable."
Read Jack's blog

NRCM Staff Share Apps to Help You Explore Maine’s Outdoors

Originally appearing in NRCM's 2022 Explore Maine publication, NRCM Digital Content Manager Sarah Bierschwale shares some staff members' favorite nature apps. Read the blog, download the apps, and begin exploring! Also check out our new Explore Maine pages.

Read Sarah's blog

Loons, Balloons, and Pontoons

NRCM Communications Manager Beth Comeau and her husband Chris purchased a boat this summer and are enjoying their time exploring lakes in the Sebago region. During one of their first outings, they spent time "fishing" plastic trash out of one Maine lake in order to protect the loons and other wildlife that live on the lake.

Read Beth's blog

My Maine This Week

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
Stonington from the water

My Maine This Week: Tamara Rocha

By NRCM | July 25, 2022
three puffins in water

My Maine This Week: Russell Regnery

By NRCM | July 18, 2022
Deer Isle by Katie Dobies

My Maine This Week: Katie Dobies

By NRCM | July 11, 2022
egret by Pam Wells

My Maine This Week: Pam Wells

By NRCM | July 4, 2022
loon and baby in pond

My Maine This Week: Gerard Monteux

By NRCM | June 27, 2022
looking out from mountaintop at view

My Maine This Week: Emma Bourget

By NRCM | June 16, 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: Quebec Emerald Dragonfly

Do you know where you can go in Maine to try to see a Quebec emerald dragonfly? It can be found in Number Five Bog because this wetland is a protected place. In 2000, Number Five Bog became part of a statewide system of ecological reserves created by the Maine Legislature to conserve the state’s diversity of plants and animals, and examples of all the habitat types found in Maine. Learn more about the Quebec emerald in this new Creature Feature by Catherine Schmitt.

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