As the Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) prepares to make its decision regarding Wolfden Resources’ flawed mining proposal, more than a thousand Mainers, local businesses, Wabanaki tribes, government agencies, and conservation and philanthropic organizations have submitted written testimony opposed to the project because it’s too big of a risk for Maine. The broad range of 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.
What’s Next: Utility Reform and Maine’s Clean Energy Future
In November 2023, after being deluged by nearly $40 million in campaign advertising by Maine’s largest utilities, voters rejected a proposal to shift the state’s investor-owned utilities to a consumer-owned business model. Here, NRCM’s Climate & Clean Energy Senior Advocate Rebecca Schultz reflects on how we can best move forward to hold utilities accountable and Read More
Deciphering the Mystery of How the Turkey Got Its Name
To birders like us and, hopefully, you, the most well-known bird in the world may seem to be the Steller’s Sea-Eagle, given what a media darling it’s become. Well, it’s not. Neither is it a hummingbird, crow, peacock, the Perplexing Scrubwren, nor is it that famous, non-existent bird, the “seagull.” It is, in fact, the Read More
Critter Chatter – The Dangers of Glue Traps
Please note: This post contains descriptions of what happens to animals trapped in glue traps and may be upsetting to some readers. I knew immediately what I wanted to write about this month after seeing a young red squirrel recently admitted to Duck Pond Wildlife Rehab – he was the sole survivor of his litter Read More
Don’t Believe the Plastic Industry’s False Promises
Transparency is the enemy of the plastic packaging industry. In the 1980s, Big Oil (aka the plastics industry) began to purposefully lie about the recyclability of plastic so they could keep making and selling more plastic, and it worked. Plastic production has exponentially increased, and recycling rates for plastic have never exceeded the single digits. Read More
NRCM Voter Guide 2023
Election Day is Tuesday, November 7th; do you know how you’ll be voting? The November elections are fast approaching, and this year there are eight questions on the statewide ballot. After careful review, the Natural Resources Council of Maine has taken a position on four ballot questions that will have an impact on Maine’s Read More
Critter Chatter – Hit or Miss
When I visited with Don today, there were two new admissions in small cages in his living room: a young chipmunk and a gray squirrel, both likely HBC (Hit By Car) victims. The chipmunk wasn’t in good shape; he was hunched up in a corner of his cage, his fur very disheveled. Don said he Read More
Yes on 3: The Case for Public Power
The Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) is encouraging Mainers to vote Yes on Question 3 because the Consumer-Owned Utility (COU) model offers our best chance to advance the clean energy transition with the leadership, collaboration, and creativity necessary to keep costs as low as possible. The urgency of transitioning to clean energy couldn’t be Read More
The Day the Lobsterman Saw Birds Fall from the Sky
There was a lot of hype leading up to Lee. First is was a hurricane, then a tropical storm. Thankfully, harm of all sorts registered as a minimum. The same is true for vagrant bird sightings, as we’ve written about previously here at our Natural Resources Council of Maine blog. But there was a storm-related Read More
