The way into the new national monument is full of scenic views and hiking possibilities. By Josh Christie Portland Press Herald news story On Aug. 24, President Barack Obama established a huge swath of Maine’s northern woods as a national monument. Named the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, the 87,500 acres cover a vast Read More
Maine Environmental News
Maine environmental news often comes quickly and with little warning. Stay up to date on Maine environment news.
From issues such as climate change, healthy waters, Maine forests and wildlife, and sustainability—and environmental policy that could impact them—you’ll find NRCM’s up-to-the-minute news releases to see our perspective on the most pressing issues facing Maine’s land, air, waters, and wildlife. This includes findings relating to our role as Maine’s watchdog of activities of state environmental agencies—we stand ready to blow the whistle when regulations are not enforced.
You can also find our news “round up,” News & Noteworthy, which puts the spotlight on media stories that do a particularly good job capturing current news about Maine's environment. We hope you find this part of our website helpful and informative!
Let’s Not Waste the Opportunity the Monument Offers to Revive the Katahdin Region
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
“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
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
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
The National Monument We Have Been Waiting For
By Gail Fanjoy, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed President Barack Obama’s decision to establish the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is wonderful news for the Katahdin region. This is a moment that many of us have been waiting for, working for, and dreaming of for years. This news is particularly exciting Read More
‘Is There a More Glorious Place on Earth Than This?’
by Lou Ureneck Boston Globe op-ed I made my first trip to Maine’s north woods when I was 15. It was a late November deer-hunting trip in the autumn of 1965. I didn’t shoot a deer, but the immensity and wildness of the place left an impression on me that has lasted a lifetime. I Read More