News release Feb 29, 2024 (Augusta, ME) – More than 500 organizations, businesses, and towns from across the state today urged lawmakers to pass a $30 million Maine Trails Bond so Maine voters will have an opportunity to support it on the November ballot. In a statement to lawmakers, the remarkably broad statewide coalition said Read More
Forests and Wildlife
NRCM works to protect Maine’s natural areas and wild, undeveloped character, particularly in the North Woods. We support responsible land development and sustainable forest practices that protect sensitive ecosystems and wildlife. We work for increased public ownership of Maine lands, so future generations will know the Maine we love today.
Protection of Maine’s natural, remote areas was one of the issues for which NRCM was founded in 1959. More than 60 years later, much progress has been made but major threats to Maine’s land and water resources continue.
Read news & blogs about our work to protect Maine's forests and wildlife.
The Black Terns of Messalonskee Marsh
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, the Natural Resources Council of Maine is partnering with Maine photographer Nathaniel Child on a blog and photography series to bring awareness to some of Maine’s threatened and endangered species and their habitat. Passing the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) would help state and wildlife Read More
Stepping Back in Time in Maine’s North Woods: Part 1
Part 1: Bradford Camps and Big Reed Pond In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, the Natural Resources Council of Maine is partnering with Maine photographer Nathaniel Child on a blog and photography series to bring awareness to some of Maine’s threatened and endangered species and their habitat. His first blog Read More
Senators Collins and King Back Bipartisan Bill to Help Maine’s At-Risk Wildlife
National Wildlife Federation and Natural Resources Council of Maine news release Senator Angus King has joined Senator Susan Collins in cosponsoring a bipartisan wildlife conservation bill, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, that will inject $11.5 million into Maine annually to help at-risk wildlife species. “The federal government plays a critical role in protecting threatened and endangered Read More
LD 1969, An Act to Expand the Use of Funds to Support Land Conservation
Testimony in Support of LD 1969, An Act to Expand the Use of Funds to Support Land Conservation Senator Ingwersen, Representative Pluecker, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, I am Melanie Sturm, the Forests and Wildlife Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). I appreciate the opportunity to Read More
Where The Gray Ghost Roams
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, the Natural Resources Council of Maine is partnering with Maine photographer Nathaniel Child on a blog and photography series to highlight some of Maine’s threatened and endangered species and their habitat. This spring, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) was just reintroduced in the Read More
LD 1685, Increase Acreage Eligibility and Change Requirements for Maine Tree Growth Tax
Testimony in Opposition to LD 1685, An Act to Increase Acreage Eligibility and Change Requirements for Filing Plans Under the Maine Tree Growth Tax Law Senator Grohoski, Representative Perry, and members of the Committee on Taxation, I am Melanie Sturm, the Forests and Wildlife Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). I appreciate the Read More
LD 1881, Compensation Fees and Related Conservation Efforts to Protect Soils and Habitat
Testimony in Support of LD 1881, An Act Regarding Compensation Fees and Related Conservation Efforts to Protect Soils and Wildlife and Fisheries Habitat from Solar and Wind Energy Development and High-impact Electric Transmission Lines Under the Site Location of Development Laws Senator Ingwersen, Representative Pluecker, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Read More
LD 958, Expand Protections to Maine’s Loons by Prohibiting Sale and Use of Certain Painted Lead Jigs
Testimony in Support of LD 958, An Act to Expand Protections to Maine’s Loons from Lead Poisoning by Prohibiting the Sale and Use of Certain Painted Lead Jigs Senator LaFountain, Representative Landry, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, I am Melanie Sturm, the Forests and Wildlife Director at the Natural Read More