When we think of Evening Grosbeaks, we remember the hordes of them gorging themselves at the double-decker platform feeder at a former family home in Winthrop. We’d watch from the large living room window as the plump golden, black, and white orbs chomped through gobs of sunflower seeds with their enormous bills. Sometimes the flocks Read More
Nature of Maine Blog
The Natural Resources Council of Maine’s “Nature of Maine” blog gives you the inside scoop on some of the latest issues facing Maine’s environment. From environmental news to threats to opportunities, NRCM is on the frontlines of the latest goings-on—and we’re often leading the charge on efforts to protect Maine’s precious lands, air, waters, and wildlife. Read what NRCM staff members have to say and get the perspective of some of our members and supporters who have been guest contributors.
Perhaps you have an issue you’d like to write about. Maybe you’re an expert on a particular topic and are inspired to share your expertise. Maybe you’ve recently made a visit to a spectacular Maine nature preserve or other natural area and would like to write about it (captioned photos welcome!). For submission guidelines, email nrcm@nrcm.org.
A New Vision for Transportation in Southern Maine
Every five years, we get a glimpse at the newest vision for Southern Maine’s transportation future when the Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System (PACTS) updates its long-range transportation plan. This year’s iteration, Connect 2045, arrives during an exciting time of major investment in transportation innovation from the state and federal level. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Read More
8 “Green” Tips for New Parents
Have you noticed there are a lot of baby bumps and strollers walking around? Some say Maine is having a baby boom right now, but the numbers suggest it’s a modest one. Maine is seeing an uptick in baby births after years of decline. According to the Maine Center for Disease Control, 12,001 babies were Read More
Hiking the AT — Thoughts from Two Recent Thru-hikers
Miles and Liesel recently completed their first thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail (AT). I caught up with them as they start to settle back into a “normal” life back in Maine. —Daniel Bartup, NRCM Rising Leadership Team member Why did you hike the AT? For Liesel, the AT began as a childhood dream. She committed Read More
More Pollution-free Electric School Buses Coming to Maine
Last week the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that school districts across Maine have been awarded funding from the recently passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to purchase 34 new zero-emission electric school buses. This news comes just a year after Maine debuted its first electric school bus at Mount Desert Island High School, a bus Read More
Critter Chatter – Oh, Deer! What’s Up With That? Part 2
As a follow-up to last month’s article about the whitetail buck with three legs and only one horn, I’d be remiss not to write about the other permanent resident buck at the Wildlife Center. Rather than simply missing an antler, this deer has two, but they’re both deformed and remain in velvet. He’s the oldest Read More
Puffins and a Purposeful Person
Many people think of Dr. Steve Kress as “the puffin man.” He’s widely revered for reestablishing puffin colonies to the coast of Maine, and rightly so. But when it comes to bird conservation, Steve is much more than that. We first met Steve when we were graduate students at Cornell University years ago. (Interestingly, Steve Read More
Critter Chatter – Oh, Deer! What’s Up With That? Part 1
While visiting Don at the Wildlife Center the other day, awaiting the arrival of a family of six baby opossums whose mother had likely been the victim of a car accident, we got to talking about one of the white-tailed bucks that is a permanent resident at Duck Pond. I’d only seen him from a Read More
The Community Cider Press: A Maine Fall Staple
The sensations of fall induce nostalgia more than any other season. The crackling of leaves underfoot, the panoply of brilliant canopy colors, the crisp air, the hearty meals, the growing assortment of Halloween decorations. Each of these sights, sounds, smells, and tastes transports me to a memory of time well spent with others. The joy Read More
