On September 20, a Celebration of Life for Don and Carleen Cote was held at the VFW in Augusta. As I was driving by the former Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center on my way to this special event, a beautiful male Bald Eagle flew just above my car. A fitting symbol of freedom, strength, and 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.
Caching Up for the Winter
It was one of those crip, golden days that couldn’t decide if it was summer or autumn. The sun lit the treetops along the late-afternoon street. Most leaves were still green, but the maple at the corner was showing off its bright yellows and reds. A tall, brilliant yellow-orange goldenrod at the corner of our Read More
Bringing Down the House
The house next door to ours, and directly across our driveway, had sat vacant for the nearly 20 years we’ve owned our home, and for several years prior according to many in town. Last year we were finally able to purchase the property with the intent of tearing it down. It was beyond restoration. The Read More
My Experience Monitoring Piping Plovers in Maine
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
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
