Every summer, Maine Audubon works with Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife and municipal officials to protect Piping Plovers that nest on Maine’s shoreline. Over the past three months, I have been a volunteer for Maine Audubon’s Coastal Birds Project, which is among many initiatives developed to monitor and project coastal birds all across Read More
Nature of Maine Blog
The Natural Resources Council of Maine’s “Nature of Maine” blog gives you the inside scoop on some of the latest issues facing Maine’s environment. From environmental news to threats to opportunities, NRCM is on the frontlines of the latest goings-on—and we’re often leading the charge on efforts to protect Maine’s precious lands, air, waters, and wildlife. Read what NRCM staff members have to say and get the perspective of some of our members and supporters who have been guest contributors.
Perhaps you have an issue you’d like to write about. Maybe you’re an expert on a particular topic and are inspired to share your expertise. Maybe you’ve recently made a visit to a spectacular Maine nature preserve or other natural area and would like to write about it (captioned photos welcome!). For submission guidelines, email nrcm@nrcm.org.
How Federal Transportation Funding Can Deliver More Choices for Mainers
How we design and build our transportation system has huge implications for health, equity, and the environment. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) is the largest source of federal funding to support Maine’s transportation network, but historic underinvestment has left Maine’s roads and bridges in a persistent state of disrepair and Read More
Watching Hurricane Waves and Forster’s Terns
Like many an adventurer, we took time out of our weekend to observe the drama of the surf riled up by Hurricane Erin passing far offshore—of course, with the hope of seeing nice birds. On Friday, we zipped over to Pemaquid Point and saw…a Black Guillemot. One of our favorite little seabirds, but nothing Read More
How EPA’s Proposal to Scrap Endangerment Finding Impacts Maine
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week announced that it plans to scrap its legal authority to address the threat of climate change. It’s an inexplicable move in an era of rising temperatures, escalating extreme weather, and climate-linked damage to infrastructure, communities, and human life. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is proposing to overturn the Read More
Two Rare Birds Show Up in Downeast Maine
Who would have guessed that Downeast Maine would be where the Canadian Arctic and South Florida come together (sort of)? If you’re a birder, you may already know what we’re talking about. That’s right, two birds from two seemingly different worlds. A little over a week ago, a visitor from Florida was in the small Read More
Progress & Outcomes from Maine’s 2025 Legislative Session
The 132nd session of the Maine Legislature produced some big wins for clean energy and conservation but attempts by powerful interests to undermine progress remain. Here’s our detailed assessment of the wins and losses for Maine’s environment. Among the most significant victories include a new law that sets a goal of 100% clean, affordable, and Read More
Rooftop Solar Keeps the Lights On and Costs Down During Heat Waves
June 24, 2025, was the hottest day in a record-breaking heat wave that swept New England and pushed demand on our regional power grid to near-record highs. It’s exactly during heat waves like this, when demand for electricity surges due to air conditioning, that the capacity of our electricity system is strained to its Read More
Update: Pressure Rises in Maine to Oppose Cutbacks in Reconciliation Bill
The U.S. Senate is expected to vote soon on the reconciliation budget bill that would increase the national debt by trillions and give billionaires tax breaks while increasing costs for working families. Pressure is ramping up on Senator Susan Collins to oppose the most drastic environmental rollbacks in the bill and join her Republican colleagues Read More
Potato Chip Birds: Five Cool and Surprising Facts
Actually, if you don’t know which bird the “potato chip bird” is, then consider the subtitle “Six Surprising Facts.” And if you didn’t know that the potato chip bird, unlike most songbird species, form flocks in the non-breeding season, knock that cool factoid count up to seven. Never mind, let’s just jump in. You Read More
