Welcome to “Maine Environment: Frontline Voices,” the Natural Resources Council of Maine's podcast covering the most pressing issues facing our state's land, air, waters, and wildlife - and our Maine way of life. Host Carly Peruccio talks with NRCM experts, state agency heads, elected officials, and others on the frontlines working to protect the nature of Maine.
"Maine Environment: Frontlines Voices" podcast is also available on Spotify! Search for "Natural Resources Council of Maine" or the podcast title.
Episode 25: A Conversation with Dylan Voorhees April 2, 2020 For the past 14 years as NRCM’s Climate and Clean Energy Director Dylan Voorhees has quite literally been a voice on the frontlines of the most important climate and clean energy conversations at the Maine State House. Dylan’s moving on to a new and exciting professional opportunity, and in this episode of Frontline Voices, you’ll hear from him about the clean energy solutions he’s been part of and the lessons he’s learned from his decade plus of climate advocacy at NRCM. (Dylan will be a Senior Consultant at VEIC. The nonprofit is headquartered in Vermont but plans to work remotely from Augusta, demonstrating that working from home can sometimes be a choice, too!)
A note: We’re posting this episode during an unprecedented time. NRCM hopes that you, your family, and your friends are safe and healthy. We really appreciate that you’re listening to this episode today.
Episode 24: Recycling Reform in Maine, February 25, 2020 NRCM's Sustainability Director Sarah Nichols talks about an exciting recycling model that happens around the world—and now there's a bill that would bring it to Maine, too. LD 2104 incentivizes companies that make products with packaging to use less-wasteful packaging in the first place—and they would help Maine towns fund their recycling programs.
Episode 23: Youth Voices for Climate Justice, February 11, 2020 On a cold day in February, the Maine Climate Council met for the second time as part of their work to hammer out a new statewide Climate Action Plan. Just down the hall, more than 100 Maine youth gathered to call on the state’s leaders to take bold climate action. Host Carly Peruccio spoke with some of those youth about their hopes for the future. Listen and get inspired!
Episode 22: Stories that Gave Us Hope in 2019, December 23, 2019 From leaping sturgeon and huge returns of alewives in Maine’s rivers to solar wins and youth climate activism, NRCM Advocacy Director Pete Didisheim sits down with host Carly Peruccio to talk about some of the stories and successes from 2019 that gave us hope. As the year comes to an end, Pete also shares what these exciting developments mean for what we can expect in 2020. Happy New Year everyone!
Episode 21: SolaRise Students from Portland, October 22, 2019 Students at three Portland, Maine, high schools formed the coalition, SolaRise, and organized a march to build support for using solar to power Portland public schools. In August, 2019, the school board voted to support an off-site solar power project. SolaRise received a 2019 NRCM Conservation Leadership Award for their work. Three members of SolaRise speak about their work and share advice to others for those who want to get involved.
Episode 20: From NRCM to the State House, August 12, 2019 This conversation between former NRCM Executive Director Brownie Carson and Deputy Director Joan Welsh covers their time at NRCM and their transitions from NRCM to the Maine State House. After leaving NRCM, Joan served in the Maine House of Representatives, and Brownie is currently in his second term in the Maine Senate. Coincidentally, they’ve both served on the Joint Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources. Hear more in the latest “Maine Environment: Frontline Voices.”
Episode 19: An Interview with George Smith, July 25, 2019 This episode features George Smith, a writer, activist, conservationist, sportsman, and birder. You may know him from his column in the Kennebec Journal or as the former director of the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine (SAM). In our conversation with George, he shares his perspective on the future of wildlife and fisheries protection in Maine; his observations of the impacts of climate change on the North Woods and in his own backyard; and his memories from working in Maine politics for more than four decades. (photo courtesy of George Smith)
Episode 18: Reviewing the 129th Legislative Session, June 25, 2019 NRCM Advocacy Director Pete Didisheim reflects on Maine’s 129th legislative session—and Maine’s environment was a big winner! Governor Janet Mills signed bills into law that will help reduce carbon emissions, support renewable energy development, maintain clean waters, and reduce plastic pollution in our state. It’s refreshing to report that we’re moving forward!
Episode 17: Climate Action in Maine, May 29, 2019: Maine is poised to take its most substantial action on climate change in over a decade by passing legislation that would update our state’s climate action plan for the first time since 2004. The legislation would also create Governor Janet Mills’ climate council. In this episode, you’ll hear our Democratic Governor Mills, the lead Republican sponsor of the bill, a lobsterman, and NRCM CEO Lisa Pohlmann testify at the State House about why this action matters and how it can benefit Maine. Lisa and NRCM Climate Outreach Coordinator Sophie Janeway offer reflections on the public hearing and the exciting progress Maine can make if we continue to move forward and the Legislature passes this legislation.
Episode 16: Maine Brewshed Alliance, April 16, 2019: Great beer needs clean water, and NRCM is collaborating with breweries throughout the state to protect Maine’s waters through education and advocacy. In this episode, you’ll hear about our newly-launched Maine Brewshed Alliance from NRCM Federal Outreach Coordinator Kristin Jackson and three brewers who are part of the alliance: Christie Mahaffey (Foundation), Abe Furth (Orono Brewing), and Dan Kleban (Maine Beer Company).
Episode 15: Staff Scientist Nick Bennett on LD 640, March 19, 2019 NRCM supports LD 640. This bill would require the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to pursue an independent investigation of Central Maine Power’s claims that its proposed power line would reduce greenhouse gas emissions. On March 15, 2019, NRCM’s Staff Scientist, Nick Bennett, delivered testimony in support of the bill in front of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. This episode features Nick’s testimony. (Note: When Nick refers to the Sea Brook nuclear power plant, he meant to say the Pilgrim plant.)
Three-part Series on Land for Maine's Future
The Maine Land Conservation Task Force recently released a report with recommendations to guide the future of land conservation in Maine. The group recommended a $95 million investment in bond funding to support the Land for Maine’s Future program and address the maintenance backlog in Maine’s State Parks. In this three-part series, NRCM hears from Task Force co-chair, Tim Glidden, and Task Force members, Senator Cathy Breen and Representative Pat Corey, about their experiences serving on the Task Force and the reasons they support Land for Maine’s Future.
Episode 14: Representative Pat Corey, LMF Part Three, March 12, 2019 Rep. Pat Corey (R-Windham) served on the Maine Land Conservation Task Force, and he is one of over a hundred co-sponsors of LD 911 to support LMF and Maine’s State Parks.
Episode 13: Senator Cathy Breen, LMF Part Two, March 12, 2019 Senator Cathy Breen (D-Cumberland) served on the Maine Land Conservation Task Force, and she introduced LD 911 to refund the Land for Maine’s Future program and to support Maine’s State Parks.
Episode 12: Tim Glidden, LMF Part One, March 12, 2019 Tim Glidden is the President of Maine Coast Heritage Trust, and he served as one of two co-chairs of the Maine Land Conservation Task Force.
Episode 11, February 15, 2019 Have you ever wondered what actually goes on at Maine’s State House? NRCM Advocacy Director Pete Didisheim has more than two decades of experience working at the Capitol to advocate for policies to protect Maine’s environment. In this episode, our host, Carly Peruccio, joins Pete for a visit to the State House. Pete deconstructs how the legislative process works and how citizens can shape state policies.
Episode 10, January 24, 2019 CMP wants to build a transmission line through Maine’s treasured North Woods. In this episode we’ll tell you why it’s bad for Maine’s environment and people. NRCM’s Clean Energy Staff Attorney Sue Ely walks you through our concerns, shares updates about the review process, and lets you know how to get involved.
Episode Nine, January 8, 2019: 2019 is a big year for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. This is our 60th anniversary! In this episode, NRCM CEO Lisa Pohlmann looks back on NRCM's key achievements from 60 years of advocacy, reflects on Augusta's current political climate, and shares her long-term goals for NRCM. Enjoy!
Episode Eight, December 20, 2018 Hear from NRCM staff members who have participated in our annual Polar Bear Dip & Dash over the past 10 years to find out why they do it, why they think YOU should do it, and hear their advice and memorable moments from past dips. You don't want to miss this event on New Year's Eve Day in Portland, Maine.
Episode Seven, December 19, 2018 After 28 years of outstanding service, NRCM’s media guru Judy Berk retires this week. She sat down with our podcast host Carly Peruccio to talk about her work and to share some memorable experiences during her time at the Natural Resources Council of Maine. Thank you, Judy, for all of you have done to protect the nature of Maine.
Episode Six, December 4, 2018 With Maine’s new legislators being sworn in tomorrow, NRCM Advocacy Director Pete Didisheim breaks down November’s election results and what they mean for the year ahead. You’ll also hear our take on what to watch for as we transition to the 129th Legislature and a new gubernatorial administration.
Episode Five, July 25, 2018 "Maine Environment with NRCM" podcast host Carly Peruccio speaks with Senior Advocacy Director Pete Didisheim. Pete reflects on the setbacks and successes of Maine’s 128th legislative session on environmental issues related to food waste, clean air, solar power, and more. He also looks ahead to the 2019 session.
Episode Four, July 2, 2018 Nate Gray of the Maine Department of Marine Resources describes the largest alewife run in the US at Benton Falls in central Maine. NRCM Advocacy Director Pete Didisheim shares the story of the Edwards Dam removal on the Kennebec River and how the work of NRCM and the Kennebec Coalition helped begin restoration of this fishery.
Episode Three, March 2, 2018 NRCM Climate and Clean Energy Project Director Dylan Voorhees and Outreach Coordinator Sophie Janeway give an update and information about how you can take action on the solar bill currently being discussed in the Maine Legislature. The bill passed the Maine Senate by an overwhelming margin on March 1 and will go to the House for a vote next.
Episode Two, February 8, 2018 features NRCM Senior Advocacy Director Pete Didisheim talking about the current environmental issues facing Maine in both Augusta and Washington, DC. Pete is joined by NRCM Forests and Wildlife Outreach Coordinator Carly Peruccio.
Episode One, January 25, 2018 features NRCM Senior Advocacy Director Pete Didisheim providing the scoop on actions at the State House, while Federal Project Outreach Coordinator Kristin Jackson shares what’s happening with federal challenges that could have an impact on Maine.
