As we near the end of the 2018 Year of the Bird celebration that commemorates the 100-year anniversary of the famed Migratory Bird Treaty and its implementing legislation in the U.S. and Canada, it is well that we think of the future of a bird like the Pine Siskin whose populations know no human political Read More
forests
Dead and Dying Trees are Key to Life
Walk into most of the woodlands in our region today, and you will find a lack of dead and dying trees. Yes, that’s right – most of our forests do not have enough dead and decaying trees. To many people, this may seem counterintuitive. Why would we want more dead and dying trees on the landscape? Read More
The Universal Notebook: New England Clean Energy (dis)Connect
by Edgar Allen Beem The Forecaster op-ed Yes, I drive a car that uses gas, heat my home with oil and consume as much electricity as the next 21st century American. So, no, I can’t get all holier than thou about energy consumption. Still, I am opposed to Central Maine Power Co.’s so-called New England Read More
Land Conservation Shouldn’t be Subject to Political Whims
Bangor Daily News editorial An important land conservation program, which has been especially beneficial to Maine, is set to run out of money at the end of the month, if Congress does not pass legislation to reauthorize and fund it. At the same time, the next administration and Legislature must ensure Maine is a ready Read More
Quebec Hydro Line Will Ruin Maine’s “Golden Egg” — Our Beautiful Forest
By Roger Merchant, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News news story I walked into the Maine woods in 1965 as a forester and photographer, and spent the next 50 years exploring and appreciating these woods. Maine’s natural resources contribute to our rural quality of life, tourism and forestry economies. Central Maine Power’s proposal to Read More
Proposal would Relax State’s Restrictions on Rural Subdivisions
Maine’s Land Use Planning Commission wants to allow development within 10 miles by public road of any rural ‘hub.’ by David Sharp, The Associated Press Portland Press Herald news story The agency overseeing development in Maine’s vast wilderness is considering dramatic changes that would alter restrictions on where subdivisions and businesses can be built. The Read More
Forests are Forever Homes for Wildlife
I’ve been writing a lot about gardens and pollinators lately, but my roots are really in the woods. I was raised in Maine and have studied wildlife in forest environments for decades. My love of the woods is also in my blood. I come from a long line of forest dwellers. My great-grandfather (aptly named Read More
Patience Urged on Land Management Rule Changes
by Kate Cough Ellsworth American news story ELLSWORTH — New rules under consideration by the Maine Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) could alter the way land in Maine’s unorganized territories, including Fletchers Landing Township and areas around Tunk Lake, is managed, if they are passed as is by the nine-member commission this fall. On June Read More
Public is Right: There’s No Reason to Change Unorganized Territory Development Rule
Bangor Daily News editorial A website devoted to changes that would allow more scattered development throughout Maine’s Unorganized Territories begins with this statement: “Development that is farther away from public services can lead to difficulty providing those services, and scattered development may interfere with forestry, recreation, and habitat. Right now, new zones for subdivisions and Read More