At Athens Community School, we have a unique Friday afternoon program called Learning Power. In this mock community, students choose a group to join for the year where they learn and practice real-life skills. This year, my group is a 4-H Club. In 4-H, children “learn by doing” while applying life skills, strengthening the fundamentals 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.
Easter Traditions with Nature in Mind
Greener Easter Traditions Easter falls on April 1st this year. It is one of my favorite times of year because it marks a time of rebirth and renewal. The images of eggs, colorful flowers, lambs, nests, and baby bunnies are like a breath of fresh air for those of us in the North who have Read More
The Littlest Goose
Every winter, a few of the tiniest of geese spend the winter along the Maine coast. These geese, called Brant, are another of the species that we celebrate in the Year of the Bird because, if not for the passage of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in 1918, they might not be with us anymore. Read More
“Intelligent Tinkering”: How to Boost Biodiversity at Home (Leopold’s Wise Words Part 2)
“To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering.” — Aldo Leopold, 1949 In my last blog post, I wrote about Aldo Leopold (the father of wildlife ecology), carnivore coexistence, and his “thinking like a mountain” quote. This follow-up post springs from another one of his well-known quotes, and explores the importance of Read More
York’s Young Foam Fighters
While alliteration in blog titles is great, there is something even better, and that is when we learn about the next generation of Mainers recognizing a major problem in our environment, foam containers, and stepping up to solve it right in their own community. That principal is certainly on display in York where an intrepid Read More
Portland, Pesticides, and the Power of the People
With all the hoopla surrounding the ringing in of the New Year, you might have missed the news about a pretty big deal in Portland, Maine’s most populace city. On Wednesday, January 3, the City Council voted unanimously to prohibit the use of synthetic pesticides in Portland. This is, as City Councilor Spencer Thibodeau said, Read More
Meet Lily Bailey, NRCM’s School Grants Intern
Maine is a state with a little bit of everything. Whether you prefer to spend your time tucked in a cozy cabin, climbing mountains, strolling along the coast, or enjoying lobster and Maine blueberry pie with friends and family, it’s easy to lose yourself in all Maine has to offer. But what might all those Read More
Plan Your Habitat Garden
It’s February, can you believe it? Around this time of year, a lot of us are getting tired of Old Man Winter and are looking forward to the first blooms of spring. Good news! We have only one more month left of meteorological winter (which runs from December 1st through the end of February). That Read More
Celebrating the Year of the Bird
This year, 2018, marks the 100-year anniversary of the signing of our own Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It’s because of this treaty that many bird species—including some for which Maine is well known—are still with us. In fact, without the MBTA, species such as the Common Eider and Wood Duck likely would have disappeared from Read More