When Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) was enacted in 1987, the program was remarkably forward-looking and a harbinger of good things to come. Over the past three decades, LMF has become Maine’s most important and popular land conservation program. But the program has not received any new funding since 2012, which is why we’re working Read More
public lands
In Support of LD 1893, “An Act To Require a Lease of Public Lands To Be Based on Reasonable Market Value and To Require Approval of Such Leases for Commercial Purposes”
Senator Dill, Representative Hickman, and members of the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry: My name is Nick Bennett and I am the staff scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM is Maine’s largest environmental advocacy group with more than 25,000 members and supporters. I am testifying in support of LD 1893 Read More
My Maine This Week: Steve Yenco
“A fun snowshoe along the banks of the Cathance River after a snowstorm at the Cathance River Nature Preserve in Topsham, Maine.” Photo by NRCM supporter Steve Yenco of Lisbon Falls, Maine. With winter weather finally arriving here in Maine, there are many opportunities to get outside to snap snowy photos of Maine’s beautiful land, Read More
Conservation is a Maine Value Our Lawmakers Must Uphold
By Jeremy Sheaffer, Maine state director of The Wilderness Society in Hallowell Bangor Daily News op-ed Mainers take pride in our wild forests, rivers and shorelines that support our outdoor traditions and our growing recreation economy. Increasingly, voters in Maine measure the merits of political candidates by the strength of their commitment to conservation, as Read More
Public Lands Bill an Encouraging Sign from Congress
Bangor Daily News editorial Less than a month after America’s longest government shutdown, the US Senate offered a glimmer of bipartisan hope in the form of a significant public lands package that passed with overwhelming support on both sides of the aisle. The broad legislation — which would protect millions of acres around the country Read More
Following Advocacy from Senators Collins and King, Senate Votes to Permanently Reauthorize LWCF
LWCF has conserved land and created outdoor recreation opportunities across the country. News release from Senators Collins and King Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate approved a permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) as part of a public lands legislative package. The legislation passed by a vote of 92-8 will Read More
LD 233, An Act To Move the Bureau of Parks and Lands from the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Good afternoon Senator Dill, Representative Hickman, and members of the Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee. My name is Cathy Johnson. I live in Alna. I am here today on behalf of the 20,000 members and supporters of the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). I commend Rep. Skolfield for bringing this issue to the fore. Read More
Opposition to LD 125, Resolve, Directing the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to Convey Certain Lands to Roosevelt Conference Center Doing Business as Eagle Lake Sporting Camps
Good afternoon Senator Dill, Representative Hickman, and members of the Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee. My name is Cathy Johnson. I live in Alna. I am here today on behalf of the 20,000 members and supporters of the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) to speak in opposition to LD 125, “Resolve, Directing the Department Read More
Land for Maine’s Future Needs Money
By George Smith Bangor Daily News column Governor Paul LePage hated public land and did everything he could to stop us from acquiring more of it, including refusing to support a bond issue for the Land for Maine’s Future, throughout his 8 years as governor. A reliable, well-funded LMF program remains essential to permanently protecting Read More
