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Natural Resources Council of Maine

Protecting the Nature of Maine

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Melanie Sturm, Forests & Wildlife Director

As NRCM's Forests and Wildlife Director, Melanie continues the organization’s long history of keeping Maine’s remote places wild by monitoring development in the North Woods and ensuring the state’s natural character is protected for years to come. Her work includes serving as NRCM’s point person for the Land for Maine’s Future program. Prior to joining NRCM in early 2020, Melanie worked at the Natural Resources Defense Council in San Francisco as well as for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the American Sportfishing Association in Washington, D.C., focusing on natural resource policy and management. She earned a master’s degree in Biology and Society from Arizona State University where she studied ecosystem services. Having grown up primarily in Pennsylvania, Melanie has a deep appreciation and proclivity for forested environments, which she feels beyond fortunate to be turning into a career. Melanie lives in Falmouth and enjoys hikes in the mountains or reading by a quiet lake.

About Melanie Sturm, Forests & Wildlife Director

As NRCM's Forests and Wildlife Director, Melanie continues the organization’s long history of keeping Maine’s remote places wild by monitoring development in the North Woods and ensuring the state’s natural character is protected for years to come. Her work includes serving as NRCM’s point person for the Land for Maine’s Future program. Prior to joining NRCM in early 2020, Melanie worked at the Natural Resources Defense Council in San Francisco as well as for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the American Sportfishing Association in Washington, D.C., focusing on natural resource policy and management. She earned a master’s degree in Biology and Society from Arizona State University where she studied ecosystem services. Having grown up primarily in Pennsylvania, Melanie has a deep appreciation and proclivity for forested environments, which she feels beyond fortunate to be turning into a career. Melanie lives in Falmouth and enjoys hikes in the mountains or reading by a quiet lake.

One of Maine’s Gems: Take a Photo Tour of the Moosehead Region

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The Moosehead Lake region is one of Maine’s greatest gems. It is well known and loved for its stunning vistas, endless recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat for iconic and threatened species, close-knit community, and rich cultural history. The centerpiece is Moosehead Lake, Maine’s largest lake, stretching nearly 40 miles long and 12 miles wide. For thousands of years the Abenaki people Read More

Victory for Land for Maine’s Future

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Maine’s most popular and effective conservation program is finally funded, and the money will be available right away! On July 1, Governor Janet Mills signed into law LD 221, the FY21-23 Appropriations Bill, which includes $40 million over four years for the Land for Maine’s Future program (LMF). Because the budget was passed by at Read More

Permanently Protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

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The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Arctic Refuge) is a place of spectacular beauty as well as ecological and cultural significance, but right now it’s vulnerable to oil and gas development. These industries threaten to pollute our air and water, degrade public lands, and ruin an Indigenous way of life.   As Mainers we value our public lands and the space they provide for recreation and wildlife conservation just Read More

Five Endangered Species from Maine You Should Know About

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Each species has an important ecological role to play in the web of life. Diverse ecosystems are more resilient to change, and collectively, the planet’s array of plants and animals provide valuable services, helping clean our air and water, cycle nutrients, prevent erosion, provide food and fiber, offer recreational opportunities and places of solace, and Read More

Support of LD 1702, An Act To Authorize General Fund Bond Issues To Improve Transportation and National Guard Infrastructure and To Promote the Conservation of Land, Working Waterfronts, Water Access and Outdoor Recreation

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Senator Breen, Representative Pierce, and Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs, I am Melanie Sturm, the Forests and Wildlife Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), and I appreciate the opportunity to provide testimony in support of LD 1702 and its provisions pertaining to the Land for Maine’s Read More

Support of LD 983, An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Promote Land Conservation, Working Waterfronts, Water Access and Outdoor Recreation

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Senator Breen, Representative Pierce, and Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs, I am Melanie Sturm, the Forests and Wildlife Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), and I appreciate the opportunity to provide testimony in support of LD 983. In addition to my testimony, I am attaching a Read More

Opposition to LD 1407, An Act To Provide That a Forestry Operation That Conforms to Accepted Practices May Not Be Declared a Nuisance

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Senator Dill, Representative O’Neil, and Members of the Committee. I am Melanie Sturm, the Forests and Wildlife Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine, and I appreciate the opportunity to testify in opposition to LD 1407. LD 1407 is similar to laws that other U.S. states have passed, but different in important ways that Read More

Why Biodiversity Matters to Maine and the World

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Spotting a Canada lynx is an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime moment for many in Maine’s North Woods. As is watching a wild Atlantic salmon swim upstream to spawn or a Piping Plover trot across a sandy beach. These inspiring animals have something in common not only because they wow us when we have the opportunity to see Read More

Support of LD 700, An Act To Promote Economic Development and Outdoor Recreation through Investment in State Parks

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Senator Dill, Representative O’Neil, and Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, I am Melanie Sturm, the Forests and Wildlife Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), and I am providing testimony in support of LD 700. Maine State Parks are in critical need of investment. They face $50 Read More