Testimony in support of LD 57, An Act to Amend Maine’s Endangered and Threatened Species List Senator LaFountain, Representative Landry, and distinguished members of the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; I am Dr. Jeff Wells. I am a long-time member of the Natural Resources Council of Maine, a Fellow of the Cornell Lab of Read More
Protecting Maine's Wildlife
Maine is home to a wide variety of wildlife, and, for some species, Maine makes up a vast majority of their range or provides essential habitat that can’t be found elsewhere. NRCM works to protect Maine’s wildlife by advocating for policies that ensure they have healthy habitat and abundant resources to thrive.
New Law Will Expand Maine’s Ecological Reserve System
Maine Audubon and Natural Resources Council of Maine news release A bill that will expand Maine’s network of ecological reserves to protect more habitat for the state’s rich array of plants, animals, and other species was signed into law by Governor Janet Mills on Tuesday March 29, 2022. State-owned ecological reserves cover less than 1% Read More
Senator Collins Supports Bipartisan Effort to Fund Wildlife Conservation, Prevent Extinctions
AUGUSTA, Maine (October 12, 2021) — Senator Susan Collins has joined Senator Angus King in cosponsoring the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, a bipartisan bill that will dedicate nearly $1.4 billion annually to locally-led wildlife conservation. “With both of our senators among the first to champion the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, Mainers can take pride in Read More
Senator King Supports Bipartisan Bill To Protect Maine Wildlife, Help Prevent Extinctions Nationwide
National Wildlife Federation and Natural Resources Council of Maine news release Augusta, ME — Maine conservationists are thanking Senator Angus King for co-sponsoring the most significant wildlife conservation bill in nearly half a century, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. According to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife the bipartisan bill would deliver $11.4 million to Maine to help Read More
50 Years of Maine’s Land Use Planning Commission
Many who care about Maine’s environment may not be familiar with the relatively unknown state agency that holds the key to the future of much of Maine’s undeveloped areas, including the North Woods and Unorganized Territories (UT). That agency, which was created 50 years ago this month, was originally known as the Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) but is today named the Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC). For almost as long as the LUPC has existed, the Read More
Color Them Incredible: Artwork by Maine Artist Toki Oshima
Wildlife is an important part of Maine’s identity, but many species are of high conservation concern. We’re highlighting a few at-risk species in this special coloring section provided by talented Maine artist Toki Oshima. We invite you to get creative, and send us your finished “artwork” care of Allison Wells, 3 Wade Street, Augusta, ME Read More
Five Endangered Species from Maine You Should Know About
Each species has an important ecological role to play in the web of life. Diverse ecosystems are more resilient to change, and collectively, the planet’s array of plants and animals provide valuable services, helping clean our air and water, cycle nutrients, prevent erosion, provide food and fiber, offer recreational opportunities and places of solace, and Read More
Brookfield Faces Lawsuit for Violations of Endangered Species Act on Kennebec River
May 13, 2021 (Augusta, ME) — Three conservation groups have announced they intend to sue the international energy giant Brookfield Renewable Partners (Brookfield) for repeated violations of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) on Maine’s Kennebec River. Brookfield’s four dams located between Waterville and Skowhegan are threatening the survival of endangered Atlantic salmon, according to a Read More
Why Biodiversity Matters to Maine and the World
Spotting a Canada lynx is an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime moment for many in Maine’s North Woods. As is watching a wild Atlantic salmon swim upstream to spawn or a Piping Plover trot across a sandy beach. These inspiring animals have something in common not only because they wow us when we have the opportunity to see Read More
