By Richard Schmidt III, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed There is one thing the Katahdin region communities have become extremely familiar with over the past few decades: change. President Barack Obama’s designation of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is the latest change. But, for the first time in at least a 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.
“Monumental” News for Bird Conservation
By Jeff and Allison Wells Boothbay Register column By now you may have heard the good news: Maine has a new 87,500-acre national monument located just to the east of Baxter State Park. Named the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, the area is a spectacle of mountains, streams, bogs, ponds, and rivers and, yes, Read More
Opinions Still Split on Tourism in Katahdin Woods Region
By Milton J. Valencia, Globe Staff Boston Globe news story MILLINOCKET, Maine — It has been a cherished land for so long, the majestic Katahdin woods overlooking this old paper mill town, the streams and the East Branch Penobscot River, the trails and turns that provide sweeping views of the fabled Mount Katahdin. Now the Read More
Secretary of the Interior: Maine Land Worthy of National Monument
By Marissa Bodnar WGME 13 news story PATTEN (WGME) — A member of President Obama’s Cabinet explored the site of the nation’s newest national monument over the weekend, testing out the water and hiking trails. CBS 13 was the only television crew along for the tour. Lucas St. Clair wasn’t sure the day would ever Read More
The North Woods Monument Fulfills the Sacred Calling to Preserve Creation
By Mark Allen Doty, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed As a Maine resident and a pastor in Bangor, it is with great joy that I welcome a gift that our region and the nation will cherish: The Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. This new national monument will bring spiritual, economic and Read More
Interior Secretary Test-drives Newest National Monument
Sally Jewell experiences ‘the bounty of the Maine woods’ as part of the park service’s 100th year. By Leslie Bridgers, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story TOWNSHIP 5, RANGE 8 — U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell arrived by canoe at Haskell Deadwater on Saturday afternoon escorted by two guides on stand-up paddleboards. Read More
North Woods Monument Will Bring New Energy, People to Region
By Lucas St. Clair, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed With President Barack Obama’s proclamation, Maine is now home to our country’s newest national monument. While I know that the journey to this point has, at times, been contentious, all of us who care about the Katahdin region can work together to make Read More
Thousands Of Acres Of Maine Woods are Now Federally Protected
Hilary Hanson, Viral News Editor, The Huffington Post Huffington Post story President Barack Obama designated tens of thousands of acres of Maine forest as a national monument on Wednesday, one day before the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. The area, known as the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, spans 87,500 acres of the Read More
Quimby’s Historic Gift Marks New Era for Maine
Some of the sting of the paper industry’s retreat could be eased by a more diverse economy. By The Editorial Board Kennebec Journal editorial When historians look back on Aug. 24, 2016, what will they say about the decision to take 87,000 acres of land in the heart of Maine’s northern forest out of production Read More