News Release
Protecting the Nature of Maine: 50 Years of the Natural Resources Council of Maine, was nominated for a New England Emmy Award by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in the Outstanding Environmental Program category. The Emmy Awards ceremony will be held on May 14 in Boston.
“We are pleased that this award nomination recognizes the people and the story behind NRCM’s 50-year history working to protect the Maine’s waters, air, and natural places,” said Lisa Pohlmann, executive director of the Natural Resources Council of Maine. “We are grateful to director Richard Kane for his skillful work and dedication to putting our story on film, and to the Maine Public Broadcasting Network for sharing it with audiences across Maine.”
Produced, directed, photographed, and edited by Richard Kane of Kane-Lewis Productions, the inspiring documentary film features some of Maine’s most important environmental victories and the people who helped to make them possible. Stunning footage and dozens of interviews bring the threats and the accomplishments to life—and remind us what can be achieved when concerned people come together for a cause in which they believe.
The film chronicles the 50-year history of the Natural Resources Council of Maine without which Maine would be a very different place. NRCM has helped lead Maine’s efforts to ban billboards; establish the bottle bill; revive spectacular rivers; reduce toxins; protect natural lands; cut climate changing pollutants; foster sound public policy; battle special interests with citizen action; and raise awareness to protect the nature of Maine.
The film was first broadcast in 2010 and early 2011 on Maine Public Broadcasting Network’s MPBN Community Films series, produced by Laura Schenck. MPBN will rebroadcast the film, date to be announced.
The film was produced entirely in Maine by Maine people. Executive producer of the film was Judy Berk, of the Natural Resources Council of Maine. Co-producer/writer was Veronica Young of E. Blue Hill, ME. Nature and aerial photographer was Jeff Dobbs of Bar Harbor, ME. The film’s score was composed and performed by Grammy Award-winning composer Paul Sullivan of Brooklin, ME. The film was sponsored by the members of the Natural Resources Council of Maine.
With the current onslaught against protections for Maine’s environment at the State House, this documentary is more relevant than ever. The film stars: NRCM founding father Bill Townsend; innkeepers; authors; car dealers; Maine guides; public officials (Democrats, Republicans and Independents) including Senator Edmund Muskie; Maine Sen. Harrison Richardson; former Penobscot Chief Barry Dana; Governors Baldacci and King; House Speaker Hannah Pingree; former NRCM Executive Director Brownie Carson, Maine Guides Garrett and Alexandra Conover; and other citizens.
