Many who care about Maine’s environment may not be familiar with the relatively unknown state agency that holds the key to the future of much of Maine’s undeveloped areas, including the North Woods and Unorganized Territories (UT). That agency, which was created 50 years ago this month, was originally known as the Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) but is today named the Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC). For almost as long as the LUPC has existed, the Read More
My Maine This Week: Larry Mingledorff
NRCM member Larry Mingledorff spent some time in Maine and very generously shared some of his photos with us. Larry, an avid photographer from Palm Coast, Florida, spent time in Midcoast Maine and captured images of the things we love the most: wildlife, water, mountains, and clean air! Thank you, Larry, for sharing your photos Read More
Critter Chatter – Fall Freedom!
This is the time of year many critters are released from the Duck Pond Wildlife Center, although if animals are old enough and sufficiently rehabbed, releases also take place throughout the summer. Chipmunks and squirrels are usually not turned out after mid-October, as their primary natural food sources have dwindled. This year’s fawns are still Read More
What Mainers Can Learn from the Arctic
As I sit on an outcrop watching the moon rise above the Alaskan skyline and mighty Taku Glacier, I can’t help but wonder how many years into the future this great ice mass will remain. Recent research suggests up to 60% of Taku will be gone in the next century if our climate continues on its current warming trajectory. These are humbling Read More
My Maine This Week: William Aubrey
NRCM member William Aubrey of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, shares this stunning photo of Cowan Point on Moosehead Lake as this My Maine This Week feature. William owns an island in Moosehead Lake and has for the past 70 years. “I spend what time I can at the island, a magical spot,” he writes. This photo shows Read More
Brookfield Sued for Repeatedly Breaking the Law and Killing Endangered Atlantic Salmon
Atlantic Salmon Federation | Conservation Law Foundation | Maine Rivers | Natural Resources Council of Maine News release September 9, 2021 (Augusta, ME) — A lawsuit filed today seeks to stop the owner of four dams on Maine’s Kennebec River from violating federal law. Operations at the dams are killing endangered Atlantic salmon and other sea-run Read More
Maine’s Utility Regulators Have a New Mandate to Act on Climate Change
Against the backdrop of a highly productive legislative session for Maine’s environment earlier this year, one new law could prove to be extremely important to Maine’s efforts to address climate change. The bill, LD 1682, expands the responsibility of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to include reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Governor’s Energy Office and Read More
My Maine This Week: David Preston
Again this week we are featuring a photo by a regular contributor to our My Maine This Week feature. David Preston of China, Maine, shares this photo from a camping trip he and his wife took this summer. “Janet and I had a lovely camping overnight into Little Moose Pond near Greenville last weekend, where I took Read More
How Congress Can Support Maine’s Climate Action Plan
Maine’s Congressional delegation has before them the chance to build and pass the most important piece of climate legislation ever seen in the United States. This opportunity comes at a time when the latest report from the world’s leading climate scientists signaled a “Code Red for Humanity” – time is running out and immediate, bold Read More