For birders, especially those of us here in Maine and the eastern U.S., a holiday of sorts is fast approaching. Bird enthusiasts anticipate it the way many youngsters look forward to Christmas morning. But this fine-feathered special occasion takes place just once every two years or so. Staffers at the Natural Resources Council of Maine 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.
Maine School Cafeterias Reducing Plastic Pollution and Waste
We are all familiar with the challenges of using plastic cutlery. These utensils notoriously fail at the only task they are made for: cutting and picking up food. In addition, they create a lot of single-use trash, are not recyclable, and there are reusable options. In recent years, schools have brought plastic cutlery into lunchrooms. Read More
Squirrel Booms and Passenger Pigeons in the Year of the Bird
A time of abundance is often an opportunity to reflect, especially during the Year of the Bird, a special name given to 2018 in celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the signing of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act that has helped keep many bird species from becoming extinct. This month, we’re putting the spotlight on Read More
My First Visit to the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
I have wanted to go to the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument since it opened. I had that opportunity when my college roommate(of 50+ years ago) asked me what I wanted to do during my visit with her in Lincoln this year. We set out from her house on a beautiful Tuesday morning in Read More
Postcard from Vienna, Austria in the Year of the Bird
Since Jeff has just returned from a conference abroad, we decided to share his experience and perspective with readers of our column. Members of the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) have seen firsthand the power of working with like-minded allies. The recently completed Penobscot River Restoration Project is a great example. NRCM, a founding member Read More
Sharing One of Maine’s Best Kept Secrets: My Family’s Hike in the Nahmakanta Public Reserved Lands
Maine’s Public Reserved Lands may be our best kept secret. The peace and solitude found on these trails in the height of tourist season is simply astonishing. I’m asking myself why I would interfere with that by drawing attention to them through a blog post. There are a few reasons. Drawing attention may help with Read More
To Brazil and Back: Nighthawk Migration Revealed
Birders in Maine have recently begun noting the first pulses of southbound, migrating Common Nighthawks. In fact, staff at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) could very well see one while leaving the office in Augusta after a long day! Based on checklists submitted to eBird, the online database housed at our old stomping Read More
What You Can Do about the Unfolding Recycling Crisis
It’s been more than a year since China announced that they will no longer buy the world’s contaminated recyclables, and we are feeling the effects here in Maine. Unless the baled recycled materials (stuff we put in our household recycling bins, among other sources of recyclables) meet a very strict, almost perfect, quality standard—only 0.05% Read More
My Summer Internship with NRCM
Today is my last day of work as a summer intern for the Natural Resources Council of Maine, the conclusion to a wildly enjoyable summer. I am a rising junior at Bowdoin College studying English and Environmental Studies. NRCM provided an incredible and unique opportunity to marry the two disciplines, allowing me to focus a Read More
