The paddle across the lake was easy, but the next rocky section of Allagash Stream was tough. Paint marks on particularly large rocks illustrated that many canoes had scraped along the bottom before us, and we even spotted two lost paddles caught in downed tree limbs and along the shore. We were too heavy, and 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.
Summer Day Two, Part One: Allagash River
Day two dawned wet. We could no longer access the weather report without internet or phone, but there was no mistaking the dense, low-hanging clouds. Though Bob Johnson rarely has canoers, the other couple and us were ready to paddle the Allagash Wilderness Waterway by 8 in the morning. Johnson led all of us down Read More
NRCM Leadership, Then and Now
By NRCM Board President Kate Rush and founding NRCM Board member Bill Townsend One afternoon this summer, I had coffee with Bill Townsend, a founding Board member of the Natural Resources Council of Maine. Serving as the second President of the Board, Bill has served as a board member or advisor for NRCM since 1960, Read More
Monumental Road
On an Indian Summer morning in October my husband, brother, and I took a backroad truck ride from Dexter up to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Orange and yellow leaves grabbed the sunlight and tossed it back at us as we rolled along the quiet roads to Millinocket. We were grateful for the brilliant Read More
Switching from Whiskey to Beer and the False Promise of Woody Biomass
by Stephen Mulkey, PhD “Well planned sustainable biomass power plants are a viable source of clean renewable electricity, and this is helpful for the task of phasing out coal-fired power plants. Knee-jerk opposition to all biomass projects has no sound scientific basis and is harmful to attempts to stabilize climate for the sake of our Read More
Growing Education Solutions, Shrinking Environmental Problems
For the past two years NAE Academy (Nokomis Alternative Education) students have been designing, building, and operating their own Aquaponics systems. Aquaponics is the cultivation of fish and plants together in a recirculating system where fish waste provides a nutrient source for the plants and in turn the plants provide a natural filter for the Read More
Summer, Day 1: Headwaters of the Allagash River
After a six-hour drive—which included a pit stop at LL Bean and Hannaford for supplies—we made it to Johnson’s Allagash Lodge for the very last expedition for my National Geographic Young Explorers grant. The lodge is a collection of log buildings on the edge of Narrow Pond, which eventually drains into Allagash Lake. The cabins Read More
Rules of Engagement for the Environmental Century
by Stephen Mulkey, PhD Avoiding catastrophic climate change will be the organizing principle for humanity for the next 30 years. – Joe Romm, Founder of Climate Progress, 2016 The International Geological Congress is poised to officially designate the present as part of a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene. I call the 21st century simply The Read More
“So This Guy Walks into a Monument…”
And in the “Thanks, Obama!” column we are still celebrating the addition of 87,500 acres to the national park system in the form of the brand-new Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. I have been working at NRCM for the entire five years that we have been advocating for a national park and recreation area Read More
