Maine’s North Woods is one of the most iconic and wild landscapes left in the eastern United States. It’s a place of deep forests, cold rivers, and irreplaceable wildlife habitat. But unchecked development, a changing climate, and disappearing public access threaten the future of this region. To help you understand and appreciate just how special 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.
Congress Approves Bill to Expand Outdoor Equity
Today, the U.S. Senate approved the bipartisan Outdoors for All Act sponsored by Senator Susan Collins. The exciting investment in the nation’s outdoor spaces now heads to President Biden to be signed into law. The Natural Resources Council of Maine issued the following statement from Federal Policy Advocate Anya Fetcher: “Access to the outdoors and Read More
Maine Trails Bond Approved by Voters
News release Maine voters have decisively approved (55% – 45%) a first-ever $30 million Maine Trails Bond to repair and expand all types of trails statewide. The successful passage of the bond solidifies Maine’s position as a national leader in outdoor recreation to support local economic growth and expand access for all users. Starting in Read More
Vote Yes on Question 4 Campaign Launched to Support Maine Trails
News release Leading voices from Maine’s outdoor recreation, conservation, and economic development communities today launched a campaign urging voters to invest in Maine’s trails by voting Yes on Question 4 on November’s ballot. Question 4 will provide sorely needed funding to repair and expand all types of trails statewide by creating a first-ever $30 million Read More
Alewives Abound at Benton Falls
At the end of May we were lucky enough to join our colleagues on a field trip to the Benton Falls Dam on the Sebasticook River to see the alewife (river herring) run. Alewives spend the majority of their lives in the ocean and only follow freshwater routes to spawn in interior lakes and ponds Read More
Maine Trails Bond Approved by Legislature
Proposal to invest $30 million on trails headed to November ballot April 16, 2024 (Augusta, ME) – The Maine Legislature today approved the Maine Trails Bond that would provide $30 million over four years to invest in the design, development, and maintenance of trails statewide. In a strong show of bipartisan support, the House voted 133-6, Read More
Restored Protections for Endangered Species Will Benefit Maine Wildlife
Maine Audubon | Natural Resources Council of Maine March 29, 2024 (Augusta, ME) – As Maine’s iconic wildlife faces increasing threats from climate change, development, and pollution, restored protections for endangered species proposed by the federal government promise to help. Yesterday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Read More
Statewide Coalition Calls on Legislature to Send Maine Trails Bond to November Ballot
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
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
