Admissions at Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center slow down at this time of year; the only new resident I saw today was a gray squirrel, which had been hit by a car several days ago. No external injuries were seen, and Don said it was eating and drinking normally, so hopefully it has suffered only 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.
Setting the Record Straight on Clean Cars in Maine
The end of 2023 is fast approaching, and with it, the final opportunity for the Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) to vote in favor of clean cars standards that would get more Mainers into affordable electric vehicles and dramatically reduce air pollution and the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing climate change. The Fifth National Read More
Maine Voices Opposed to Wolfden’s Mining
As the Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) prepares to make its decision regarding Wolfden Resources’ flawed mining proposal, more than a thousand Mainers, local businesses, Wabanaki tribes, government agencies, and conservation and philanthropic organizations have submitted written testimony opposed to the project because it’s too big of a risk for Maine. The broad range of Read More
What’s Next: Utility Reform and Maine’s Clean Energy Future
In November 2023, after being deluged by nearly $40 million in campaign advertising by Maine’s largest utilities, voters rejected a proposal to shift the state’s investor-owned utilities to a consumer-owned business model. Here, NRCM’s Climate & Clean Energy Senior Advocate Rebecca Schultz reflects on how we can best move forward to hold utilities accountable and Read More
Deciphering the Mystery of How the Turkey Got Its Name
To birders like us and, hopefully, you, the most well-known bird in the world may seem to be the Steller’s Sea-Eagle, given what a media darling it’s become. Well, it’s not. Neither is it a hummingbird, crow, peacock, the Perplexing Scrubwren, nor is it that famous, non-existent bird, the “seagull.” It is, in fact, the Read More
Critter Chatter – The Dangers of Glue Traps
Please note: This post contains descriptions of what happens to animals trapped in glue traps and may be upsetting to some readers. I knew immediately what I wanted to write about this month after seeing a young red squirrel recently admitted to Duck Pond Wildlife Rehab – he was the sole survivor of his litter Read More
Don’t Believe the Plastic Industry’s False Promises
Transparency is the enemy of the plastic packaging industry. In the 1980s, Big Oil (aka the plastics industry) began to purposefully lie about the recyclability of plastic so they could keep making and selling more plastic, and it worked. Plastic production has exponentially increased, and recycling rates for plastic have never exceeded the single digits. Read More
NRCM Voter Guide 2023
Election Day is Tuesday, November 7th; do you know how you’ll be voting? The November elections are fast approaching, and this year there are eight questions on the statewide ballot. After careful review, the Natural Resources Council of Maine has taken a position on four ballot questions that will have an impact on Maine’s Read More
Critter Chatter – Hit or Miss
When I visited with Don today, there were two new admissions in small cages in his living room: a young chipmunk and a gray squirrel, both likely HBC (Hit By Car) victims. The chipmunk wasn’t in good shape; he was hunched up in a corner of his cage, his fur very disheveled. Don said he Read More
