Good afternoon Sen. Edgecomb, Rep. Hickman, and members of the Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee. My name is Eliza Donoghue. I am here today on behalf of the 16,000 members and supporters of the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) to speak in support of LD 39, a Resolve, To Require a Review of the 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.
Maine’s Ocean Acidification Panel Calls for Action to Address Threat
by Ramona du Houx Maine Insights news story The Commission to Study the Effects of Coastal and Ocean Acidification on Commercially Harvested and Grown Species presented its report to the public and unveiled four proposals for the current legislative session that are a result of the panel’s work. “Maine is taking the lead on ocean Read More
Government to Spend $3.2 Million to Help Monarch Butterfly
About two-thirds of the money will be used to restore more than 200,000 acres of habitat from California to the Corn Belt. By Dina Cappiello, The Associated Press news story WASHINGTON — The federal government pledged $3.2 million on Monday to help save the monarch butterfly, the iconic orange-and-black butterfly that can migrate thousands of miles Read More
Millinocket Leaders Outline Conditions Needed to Support National Park Plan
By Nick Sambides Jr., BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story MILLINOCKET, Maine — Town leaders have drafted a letter to Maine’s congressional delegation detailing conditions they would require in order to support a North Woods national park in a move that could jump-start negotiations with park proponents. The council would back a proposed park Read More
Bill to Ban Microbeads in Maine Backed by Both Sides
In a rare alignment, manufacturers and environmentalists join to help the measure sail easily through committee. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story A bill that would ban soaps, shampoos and other consumer products containing tiny plastic “microbeads” in Maine sailed through a legislative committee Wednesday after manufacturers and environmentalists made a Read More
Support of LD 85, An Act to Prohibit Synthetic Plastic Microbeads in Personal Care Products and Over-the-counter Drugs
Senator Saviello, Representative Welsh, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, my name is Sarah Lakeman and I am the Sustainable Maine Policy Advocate for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I appreciate this opportunity to testify in support of LD 85. There is a strong case for phasing out Read More
Land, Water, Wildlife to Get Attention from Maine Legislature
This session’s bills address such issues as mining rules, ‘microbeads,’ pesticides, bear hunting, lake protection and disposable plastic bags. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story State lawmakers will grapple with a mix of old and new environmental issues this legislative session, taking up measures that range from a renewed push to Read More
Snowy Owls Popping Up Again Across Northern U.S.
They’re being reported on the online eBird database this winter across the northern third of the Lower 48 states, including Maine. The Associated Press Portland Press Herald news story ITHACA, N.Y. — Last winter brought an unprecedented number of snowy owl sightings in the northern United States, and this winter is turning out to be Read More
In the Katahdin Area, A National Park Can Transform a Region We Take for Granted
By Robert Lilieholm, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed As a forester, economist and researcher, I have spent 30 years of my professional life working with landowners, communities, students and businesses seeking to leverage their financial, natural and cultural resources to create a better future. Given that background, since moving to Maine with Read More