By Sheridan Steele and W. Kent Olson, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed Paul Haertel, Marla O’Byrne and the two of us represent a century-plus as park officials and nonprofit conservation executives. Below we address questions about a proposal by philanthropists to create a new national park in Maine. They would donate 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.
Central Maine Project the First to Receive Land for Maine’s Future Funds
The central Maine project benefits after new funding is released for the land conservation program. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story A conservation group has purchased more than 2,700 acres in central Maine and donated the land to the state as part of the first project to benefit from the thaw Read More
Exploring Katahdin Woods and Waters
In February I spent five days with students from Chewonki’s Maine Coast Semester exploring Katahdin Woods and Waters, the area east of Baxter State Park proposed for inclusion in the National Park system. The Maine Coast Semester is a four-month-long program for high school juniors. In the fall and again in the winter/spring, 42 participants Read More
LePage’s Opposition on Conservation Program Begins in Augusta’s Backyard
The governor has released $11.5 million in Land for Maine’s Future bonds, but some conservationists fear his efforts to scuttle the Howard Hill project are not over. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story The epicenter of the political brawl over the Land for Maine’s Future program literally looms behind the State Read More
LePage is Backing Down on Land for Maine’s Future. Celebrate with Caution
By The BDN Editorial Board Supporters of the Land for Maine’s Future program can breathe a sigh of relief. They can celebrate, but with cautious optimism. We were pleased to see Gov. Paul LePage on Monday back down from his refusal to release $11.5 million in bonds voters authorized in 2010 and 2012 for a Read More
Conflict Over Land Preservation Confirms Where the Public Stands
Most Mainers want voter-approved bonds to be issued, not held hostage by the governor. By The Editorial Board Portland Press Herald editorial If Gov. Paul LePage’s years long barricade of Land for Maine’s Future has proven anything, it’s how popular the conservation program is among a broad cross-section of the state. When the governor held Read More
LMF Board Speaks Out on Governor’s “Political Obstruction”
by George Smith Bangor Daily News column I wrote this column yesterday, before Governor LePage announced he would allow $5 million of Land for Maine’s Future bonds to be sold. He also said he would allow the sale of $6 million of LMF bonds that have expired, if the legislature revives them. However, the Governor Read More
Time for Debate Over LePage’s Timber-for-heat Plan to End
By The BDN Editorial Board Gov. Paul LePage has insisted for more than a year that contractors cut more timber from state-owned forests and that the state use the additional revenue to fund heating upgrades for low-income, rural households. Fortunately, reason has repeatedly prevailed in the face of a proposal that has lacked a sound Read More
LePage Agrees to Release $5 Million in Land Conservation Bonds, Criticizes Lawmakers
The governor will issue voter-approved bonds for the Land for Maine’s Future program, which he has been trying to use as leverage to advance a home heating assistance program. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Gov. Paul LePage said Monday that he will sell $5 million in bonds for the Land Read More
