Testimony in Support of LD 1246, An Act to Include Endangered and Threatened Species Habitat in the Definition of “Significant Wildlife Habitat” Under Natural Resources Protection Act Senator Brenner, Representative Gramlich, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, I am Melanie Sturm, the Forests and Wildlife Director at the Natural Resources Read More
wildlife habitat
Why Do Forests Matter for Birds?
We know you know that forests are incredibly important for birds. You learned in school (we hope!) that they provide homes for birds, and provide the food they need to raise young and for successful travels to and from their breeding and wintering grounds. If you’ve hiked in a forest, or paddled a stream or river Read More
Rewilding Our Homes in Maine
In Maine, word of mouth holds a lot of weight. The best hidden outdoor nooks, secret gems, volunteer opportunities, and pristine hiking trails that I’ve discovered have come through a combination of unflagging curiosity and generously offered insider tips. So, when two separate Mainers independently approached me about Wild Seed Project, I knew I had Read More
Re-wilding Maine: The Importance of Native Plants for Native Wildlife
The small patch of Maine I call home is a cohesive, coastal neighborhood with a unifying aesthetic that includes well-tended turf lawns and meticulously managed garden beds. Spring and fall are for clean up, and the summer months are filled with a roar of engines that aim to maintain the leafless, weedless environment of our Read More
Maine’s Real Lupine Revealed
You can’t miss all the lovely lupines in bloom right now. They are the poster child for the quintessential Maine summer — universally loved and cherished. And who could forget Miss Rumphius (The Lupine Lady)? The prolific lupines of Maine’s countryside are actually native to the West Coast and have only been here since the Read More
NRCM Testimony in Support of LD 1561, An Act To Amend the Maine Land Use Planning Commission Laws and Enhance the Economic Vitality of Neighboring Communities
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 more than 20,000 members and supporters of the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) to speak in support of LD 1561, An Act to Read More
Opposition to LD 983, An Act To Exempt from Permit Requirements the Repair of Low-head Dams
Senator Carson, Representative Tucker, and members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, 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 20,000 members and supporters. I am testifying in opposition to LD 983. Maine Read More
CMP “Settlement” Less Than Meets the Eye, Opposition to Corridor Continues to Grow
MA Attorney General testimony shows project would not reduce carbon pollution; Firefighters join growing chorus of opposition in Western Maine NRCM News Release Augusta – A settlement package being offered by Central Maine Power (CMP) for its highly contentious corridor project offers Maine people much less than meets the eye and is not worth the Read More
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
