My dad, Clarence E. Gray, lived in Maine from the time he was a teenager and had to drop out of school and go to work in the Westbrook paper mill to help support his family. Later he was drafted into WWII, and before shipping out, worked in the shipyard in South Portland. He had 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.
Fall: East Branch of the Penobscot River, Day 4, Lake Matagamon
Brian and I were up and on the water at Lake Matagamon just after sunrise. We had rented a motorboat from the Wilderness Campground, giving us the freedom to move longer distances. Like Third Lake the morning before, mist was rising from the water and shrouding the lake’s islands with a mysterious fog. Lake Matagamon Read More
What “Ales” You? A Story of a Lost Species by St. George School’s Sadie Davis
As part of St. George School’s Alewife Restoration Project, the students have been extracting oral narratives relating to alewives and local streams. Check out a report from Sadie Davis, who reflects on a conversation with her grandfather about his experiences with alewives. I have been told when my great grandfather was young he would eat Read More
Bath Middle School Student-Scientists Study Green Crab Populations
This semester, students at Bath Middle School have been working with the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust to study some green crab populations. In the fall, some surprising data was collected which noted that male and female crabs seem to group together to populate different areas, rather than being evenly distributed. Students have begun further study Read More
Clearing the Way: Palermo School Students Build Community Nature Trail
Students at Palermo Consolidated School are in the midst of designing, marking, and flagging a recreational trail behind their school. This trail will be used as a community resource to increase physical activity such as hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. It will also provide a place for outdoor lessons. Check out their progress below in Read More
St. George School Aims to Restore Alewives
In the town of St. George, Maine, students have been working alongside their town’s Conservation Commission on a project to re-introduce alewives into their town marsh. The process requires collecting streamflow and water quality data as well as projects capturing oral narratives of community members who are invested in species restoration. Thus these students are Read More
Teaching and Living Sustainability in Falmouth Elementary Schools
I am a first grade teacher in the largest K-5 elementary school in the state, Falmouth Elementary School. I have brought many sustainability efforts to the children and adults at the school. This endeavor began more than 10 years ago with the introduction by ecomaine of single-stream recycling in Falmouth. Once the program was available in Read More
Colorful and Bright: King Middle School Students Begin “It’s for the Birds” Project
Students at King Middle School have been using their NRCM Grant on a project called “It’s for the Birds.” In order to better understand their local ecosystems and the problem of shrinking bird habitats, they have been observing local bird species as well as creating a set of species cards for the Audubon Society. Check Read More
Fall: East Branch of the Penobscot River, Day 3, Baxter State Park
Going to sleep early means waking up early, and we stirred just after the sun had begun its ascent. A layer of frost had developed on the outside of our sleeping bags and tent, but I was actually quite warm in my long underwear pants, jeans, fleece button-down, fleece vest, jacket, winter jacket, knitted hat, Read More
