Driving into Deboullie, part of Maine’s Public Reserved Land system, was like entering Oz. As soon as we crossed the line from JD Irving’s hard-cut lands – lots of young trees, clear cuts, and plantations – the canopy closed around us. It was beautiful. My girlfriend Pam and I both laughed at the difference 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.
Stop Wasting Food! Have Your Cake, and Eat It, Too.
As a micro-scale farmer who has put a lot of effort into every vegetable, egg and pork chop I sell, I’ve often thought it an unfortunate side effect of life in the land of plenty that most of us don’t really worry about throwing away food. But we need to start. Food waste may not Read More
Polar Bear Dip & Dash: It’s Just “Mind Over Matter”
My breath rose in clouds in front of my face as I rubbed my double-mittened hands together and looked up at the enormous digital clock above the city buildings: 10:45am. Fifteen minutes until the race start. Then…the time display was replaced by the temperature: 5 degrees. It was December 31st in 2013, and I sat in the Read More
A Summer Adventure on Maine’s Public Reserved Lands
You could spend both ends of your vacation driving or flying to beautiful spots all over the country or the world. Or you could use those travel days to fit in yet more adventures on Maine’s Public Reserved Lands. These lands belong to us. They are must-see destinations for adventurers from Maine and travelers from all over the Read More
My Walkabout at Dodge Point
Dodge Point Public Reserved Land is a 520-acre property located on the Damariscotta River in Newcastle, just a few miles south on the River Road from downtown Damariscotta. Previously an award-winning tree farm, the property was purchased by the State in 1989, with funds from Land for Maine’s Future bonds, and the Damariscotta River Association Read More
Maine Puts A Fresh Coat On Unused Paint
Thursday, October 1st marked the official start of Maine’s Paint Stewardship Program making Maine just the eighth state in the nation to establish a system to help people dispose of unused, unwanted paint without taking it to a landfill. The Maine Paint Stewardship Program is modeled on those already proving successful in other states around Read More
Students Lead the Transition to Clean Energy
Students have been the driving force behind the continuing decline in energy costs at Camden Hills Regional High School since it opened in 2000. While the school owns and operates the 155-foot tall wind turbine erected in 2012, the genesis and work to bring wind power to the high school came from the Windplanners, a Read More
The Deep Roots of Maine’s Land Conservation
Every month, I hike or ski or camp or enjoy the beach on lands in Maine that have been set aside for the public to enjoy. In my neighborhood alone, I can take the family to Dodge Point in Newcastle, Damariscotta Lake State Park, or the Camden Hills. With a longer drive, I can enjoy Read More
Update @Pontifex: Pope Francis Goes to Washington
Update on my June blog post on Pope Francis’s encyclical on climate change: Pope Francis arrived in DC on Tuesday night, and on Wednesday morning, addressed the nation from the lawn of the White House, so it seems like a good time to update my blog post from June. Although the Pope addressed a lot Read More
