Senator Brenner, Representative Tucker, and members of the ENR Committee: My name is Nick Bennett, and I am the staff scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), Maine’s largest environmental advocacy group with more than 25,000 members and supporters. I am testifying in strong opposition to LD 1979. This primary purpose of this Read More
protecting Maine wildlife
Critter Chatter – Who IS Punxsutawney Phil?
After reading Roland Hallee’s recent column about his groundhog buddy, Woodrow Charles, and his prediction of six more weeks of winter, I wondered if the Cotes have had many groundhog visitors over the years. I found an article Carleen wrote in 1997, so I thought I’d share some of it: “As their name implies, woodchucks Read More
Role of Maine’s Ecological Reserves More Critical Than Ever
Did you know that the Mahoosuc ecological reserve is one of only a few places in Maine where Cutler’s goldenrod occurs? This delicate yellow flower is endemic to a naturally scarce habitat type. It is also one of many powerful messengers demonstrating why Maine’s ecological reserve system is so vitally important—and should be expanded. Maine’s Read More
From “Steller” Occasion to “Golden” Opportunity
Maine has always been a destination for celebrities, but perhaps none has attracted so much attention or been seen by as many fans as the Steller’s Sea-eagle. This rare bird has been all over the local, regional, even national news, attracting admirers—including Natural Resources Council of Maine staff and members!—from across Maine and far beyond. Read More
Critter Chatter — Remembering Amy
It is with much sadness and great appreciation that this month’s column is written in memory of Amy Messier, who passed away unexpectedly on December 4, 2021. Amy had been a volunteer at Duck Pond Wildlife Rehab Center in Vassalboro for almost 20 years. Although unable to work most of this past year due to Read More
Creature Feature: Snowshoe Hare
Snowshoe Hare Scientific name: Lepus americanus Cool fact: Except in very southernmost Maine, where they overlap with the cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hares are the only wild “rabbit” species in the state. Somewhere right now, in the dense spruce-fir forest of northern Maine, a wild cat is stalking a white hare. The cat, a lynx, is Read More
Maine Environment Fall/Winter 2021 Newsletter
Maine Environment Fall/Winter 2021: What’s Inside! In this issue of Maine Environment, we feature a story about our work to close a loophole in Maine law that allows toxic out-of-state waste to fill our State-owned landfills like Juniper Ridge in Old Town. We also update you on our work to restore the Kennebec River above Read More
Critter Chatter – Changing Seasons
As most of our readers are excitedly anticipating the holidays and time off from work and school, daily chores at Duck Pond Wildlife Rehab continue, no matter the weather, dropping temperatures or reduced daylight. Carleen described preparation for winter in portions of earlier columns: From 2008: “The babies that arrived in the spring and summer Read More
Blue Jays Doing Pull Ups? Sort of
We all know birds are clever. How they manage to build those beautiful nests, for example, or find their way during migration are questions posed by poets and prophets—and scientists—for centuries. The more we watch them, the more we find out just how clever they are. Blue Jay on feeder. Photo by Konni Wells Mom Read More
