The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Arctic Refuge) is a place of spectacular beauty as well as ecological and cultural significance, but right now it’s vulnerable to oil and gas development. These industries threaten to pollute our air and water, degrade public lands, and ruin an Indigenous way of life. As Mainers we value our public lands and the space they provide for recreation and wildlife conservation just Read More
land conservation
Support of LD 1702, An Act To Authorize General Fund Bond Issues To Improve Transportation and National Guard Infrastructure and To Promote the Conservation of Land, Working Waterfronts, Water Access and Outdoor Recreation
Senator Breen, Representative Pierce, and Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs, I am Melanie Sturm, the Forests and Wildlife Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), and I appreciate the opportunity to provide testimony in support of LD 1702 and its provisions pertaining to the Land for Maine’s Read More
Broad Support for Land for Maine’s Future Funding in Governor Mills’ Bond Package
Land for Maine’s Future Coalition news release May 7, 2021 (Augusta, ME) — A broad coalition of organizations are applauding Governor Janet Mills for including funding for the popular and effective Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) program in her proposed bond package announced today. Created in 1987, LMF has supported projects in all 16 Maine Read More
My Maine This Week: Bonnie Kane
NRCM member Bonnie Kane of Gouldsboro, Maine, shares photos from a recent hike in Mariaville. Thank you, Bonnie for sharing these beautiful Maine photographs! Bonnie writes, “I am submitting two photos from Mariaville Falls Preserve in Mariaville taken at the same location along the West Branch of the Union River. April 27th was a lovely Read More
Support of LD 983, An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Promote Land Conservation, Working Waterfronts, Water Access and Outdoor Recreation
Senator Breen, Representative Pierce, and Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs, I am Melanie Sturm, the Forests and Wildlife Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), and I appreciate the opportunity to provide testimony in support of LD 983. In addition to my testimony, I am attaching a Read More
Broad Coalition of Mainers Urge Legislature to Re-fund Land for Maine’s Future Program
Invest in Maine’s Land, Waters, Economy, & Future Land for Maine’s Future Coalition news release April 26, 2021 (Augusta, ME) — An unlikely assortment of Mainers representing a wide range of interests, from farming and commercial fishing to real estate and small businesses, are coming together to ask the Legislature to approve a bond to Read More
Support of LD 700, An Act To Promote Economic Development and Outdoor Recreation through Investment in State Parks
Senator Dill, Representative O’Neil, 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), and I am providing testimony in support of LD 700. Maine State Parks are in critical need of investment. They face $50 Read More
NRCM and NWF Ready to Partner with Secretary Haaland to Protect Public Lands
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 15, 2021) — The U.S. Senate’s bipartisan vote to confirm Deb Haaland as Secretary of the Interior demonstrates a commitment to restoring the nation’s public lands and honoring Tribal commitments. The National Wildlife Federation pledged to work with Secretary Haaland to tackle the challenges facing America’s public lands and the department, including Read More
Traveling Through Maine’s Public Lands in a Converted Cargo Van
I think the greatest investment I’ve made so far in the 25 years I’ve been alive is Stella Blue, a 2006 Chevy Express cargo van with questionable brakes that came into my life in 2019 and started my adventure into “van life.” My partner Carter and I bought her together and spent a month outfitting Read More
