By John Tjepkema Bangor Daily News op-ed As we celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, Mainers should be proud of our accomplishments since its first observance in 1970. U.S. Sen. Edmund Muskie of Maine was a driving force behind the 1970 Clean Air Act and the 1972 Clean Water Act. Since that time, a wide range Read More
Forests and Wildlife
NRCM works to protect Maine’s natural areas and wild, undeveloped character, particularly in the North Woods. We support responsible land development and sustainable forest practices that protect sensitive ecosystems and wildlife. We work for increased public ownership of Maine lands, so future generations will know the Maine we love today.
Protection of Maine’s natural, remote areas was one of the issues for which NRCM was founded in 1959. More than 60 years later, much progress has been made but major threats to Maine’s land and water resources continue.
Read news & blogs about our work to protect Maine's forests and wildlife.
Katahdin National Monument is an Outstanding Gift
by Gabriel Perkins Sun Journal op-ed If you look around the country, the history of national monuments and national parks shows a predictable arc. There is often loud opposition — at the beginning. We’ve seen it with some of this country’s greatest natural assets, including Acadia National Park, the Grand Canyon and even Yellowstone. But Read More
Battered but Still Standing, Land for Maine’s Future Turns 30
by Christine Parrish Free Press Online news story Since 1987, when Maine voters approved the first Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) bond, the program has been working to help protect land of statewide significance from development. Now 30 years old, the LMF program, by most measures, is a success. As of this year, LMF has Read More
Opposition to LD 628, An Act to Amend Municipal Subdivision Laws and LD 1081, An Act To Amend the Municipal Subdivision Laws Regarding the Exemption for Transfers to Owners of Abutting Land
Good afternoon Senator Saviello, Representative Tucker, and members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. My name is Cathy Johnson. I am a resident of Alna and the Forests and Wildlife Project Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I am here today on behalf of the 20,000 members and supporters of the Natural Read More
Opposition to LD 727, An Act to Protect the Tax Base of Municipalities by Removing Property Tax Exemption for Land Held for Conservation or Public Access Purposes
Good afternoon Senator Dow, Representative Tipping, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation. My name is Eliza Donoghue. I am here today on behalf of the 20,000 members and supporters of the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) to speak in opposition to LD 727, An Act to Protect the Tax Base of Read More
Support of LD 159, An Act to Prohibit the Mining of Massive Sulfide Ore Deposits on State Lands, as Amended
Senator Davis, Representative Dunphy, and members of the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry: My name is Nick Bennett, and I am the Staff Scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). I reside in Hallowell. I am testifying in support of LD 159 as amended. Metal mining in sulfide ores is one of Read More
Support of LD 244, An Act To Clarify the Use of State Lands Designated for Conservation or Recreation Purposes
Senator Davis, Representative Dunphy, and members of the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry: My name is Nick Bennett, and I am the Staff Scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). I reside in Hallowell. I am testifying in support of LD 244. Metal mining, especially in sulfide ores, is one of the Read More
Opposition to LD 1082, An Act To Amend the Laws Governing the Granting of a Variance from the Dimensional Standards of a Zoning Ordinance
Good afternoon Senator Davis, Representative Martin, and members of the State and Local Government Committee. My name is Cathy Johnson. I am a resident of Alna and the Forests and Wildlife Project Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I am here today on behalf of the 20,000 members and supporters of the Natural Read More
Support of LD 586, An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Commission To Study the Public Reserved Lands Management Fund
Good afternoon Senator Davis, Representative Dunphy, and members of the Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee. My name is Eliza Donoghue. I am here today on behalf of the 19,000 members and supporters of the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) to speak in support of LD 586, An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Read More