Our cats love to be groomed. This is a very good thing, especially this time of year when they both are shedding profusely. We, too, find it a satisfying experience: better to catch that fur with a comb than to see it plastered on the furniture and tumbling in clumps across the floor like tumbleweeds. 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.
Time to Plant with Wildlife in Mind
At long last, spring is really here. Let’s get ready to roll up our sleeves and build a better habitat! I’m not just talking about planting in gardens and backyards. I partner with all sorts of landowners to make a difference for wildlife in forest habitat, farm habitat, wetland habitat, and so much more. Whatever Read More
Engagement and Challenges at Hope Elementary School’s 7th Grade Invasive Species Project
The last seven weeks at Hope Elementary School have been full of lesson plans and practical experiences to get the students prepared for their field study by the middle of May. Denise Blanchette, a biologist with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), has provided immense support to the project through her instructional visits to Read More
Last of Their Kind in the Year of the Bird
Like many of you, we mourned the loss of the last male northern white rhino on Earth. His name was Sudan. Though he was named for the country where he was born, Sudan had spent most of his life in a zoo in the Czech Republic. While Sudan lived out his life thousands of miles Read More
Saving Songbirds Starts with Your Morning Coffee
“The air is crowded with birds — beautiful, tender, intelligent birds — to whom life is a song.” — George Henry Lewes I woke this morning to the musical magic of birdsong—is there anything better? Despite the chilly weather, and the freezing rain earlier this week, songbirds are singing, and IT IS SPRING. In an Read More
Science in the Woods—Creating an Outdoor Classroom
Forty Days in the Woods is a science program I designed at the Center for Teaching and Learning in Edgecomb, to engage K-8 children as citizen-scientists and future stewards of the environment through use of an outdoor learning center and curriculum. Students have conducted ecological, arboreal, and animal studies in collaboration with mentor scientists and Read More
Animating Students to Reduce Climate Change
Students in the Gifted and Talented program in the RSU 75 school district are creating a short film and lesson for younger students to show how they can help solve problems associated with climate change. Students plan to go to area elementary schools and present their videos along with a brief classroom activity. They have been making Read More
Hall-Dale Middle School Environmental Club Food Waste Reduction Project
When the HDMS Environmental Club first met in September to discuss potential environmentally focused school projects, we decided to focus on food waste reduction in the cafeteria. First, we needed to find a local farmer to pick up food waste on a daily basis, to alleviate concerns from the Manager of Buildings and Grounds and Read More
Wildlife Habitat Design in a Wounded World
“If we continue to damage our ecosystem, we damage ourselves. Can our intelligence save us?” — David Attenborough We are living in a wounded world. If you dwell on the state of things too much, you can feel paralytic, helpless, and angry. But we must keep calm and carry on. We owe it to ourselves, Read More
