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.
With our coalition partners, NRCM has won many significant victories over the years, from helping establish the Allagash Wilderness Waterway to passage of legislation limiting irresponsible clear cuts. But the challenges of protecting Maine’s treasured wildlands and the wildlife that depend upon them have never been greater, nor the need more urgent.
We worked to establish a National Monument just east of Baxter State Park and continue our work to push for Land for Maine’s Future funding to acquire public lands, watchdog Maine’s public lands and the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, stop the ill-conceived East-West Highway from being built, weigh-in when harmful development is proposed in Maine’s North Woods, and ensure that any timber harvesting laws and policies are as protective as possible.
More than one-third of the state has changed ownership in the past 20 years. Corporations that have no stake in our local communities are buying up hundreds of thousands of acres. Slicing and dicing these natural areas can destroy the character of Maine’s North Woods forever.
This loss would affect not only the people of Maine but also our wildlife. The region is home to moose, bear, deer, and dozens of bird species—Boreal Chickadee, Spruce Grouse, Pine Grosbeak, Cape May Warbler, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher—for which the North Woods are the southernmost limit of their breeding range. Maine’s North Woods also provide many recreational opportunities for Maine people. Unchecked development threatens access to undeveloped, wild forests, lakes, and rivers for hiking, canoeing, camping, hunting and fishing.
While development pressures and the loss of public access continue to intensify, NRCM remains a voice for balancing economic development in Maine’s North Woods with conservation.
We invite you to learn more about our work to protect Maine’s North Woods and other natural areas, and to support our vital work for generations to come.
Outdoor Recreation Credited with $8.2 Billion Annual Impact on Maine’s Economy
By John Holyoke, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story From Maine’s lengthy coastline to its vast forest — and everywhere in between — the outdoor recreational economy is a major driver that injects $8.2 billion in spending to the state each year, according to a report released by the Outdoor Industry Association on Wednesday. Read More
Administration Needs to Heed Katahdin Woods and Waters Supporters
Responses in the public comment period nearly unanimously endorse the national monument. by Lisa Pohlmann, Executive Director of the Augusta-based Natural Resources Council of Maine Portland Press Herald op-ed AUGUSTA — In May, the Trump administration asked Americans to weigh in on the fate of 27 national monuments, including Katahdin Woods and Waters. People jumped Read More
Maine’s River Herring Making Dramatic Comeback, a Godsend for the Food Chain
With the path to inland spawning grounds clear, the species rebounds with unexpected speed, benefiting everything from bald eagles to Atlantic cod. By Colin Woodard, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story BATH — Motorists crossing the bridge over the Kennebec this spring and early summer were afforded dramatic views of one of Maine’s mightiest Read More
Black-backed Woodpeckers and Other Birds in Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
As you now, Maine’s Katahdin Woods and Waters (KWW) National Monument has been in the news again recently. While Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke was doing a tour of the area, we decided to make another visit, on the same day. The birding opportunities in the Monument are so bountiful, but to keep this blog manageable, Read More
Group: Maine National Monument Comments Submitted To Feds Are 99.96% Positive
by A.J. Higgins Maine Public news story Conservationists and members of the Millinocket-area business community say public responses to a recent federal review have been overwhelmingly supportive of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. During a Bangor press conference Friday, Natural Resources Council of Maine Executive Director Lisa Pohlmann said the responses to the Read More
Public Overwhelmingly Supports Maine’s National Monument
99.96% of Public Comments Favor Keeping Katahdin Woods and Waters NRCM news release Bangor — The Natural Resources Council of Maine today announced that public comments submitted to the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) as part of a review of national monuments initiated by President Trump reveal “nearly unanimous” support for Katahdin Woods and Waters Read More
Maine’s New Monument Offers Chance for Rustic Adventures
by Patrick Whittle, The Associated Press Boston Globe news story STACYVILLE, Maine (AP) — In a rural corner of Maine that’s so remote even Mainers call it “the willy-wags,” there’s a new place for camping, hiking and birding. But it comes with a dash of political intrigue. Maine’s new Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Read More
Could Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Become a Full-fledged National Park?
Boston Globe editorial NEW ENGLAND could finally get its second national park, courtesy of support from the unlikeliest source — the Trump administration. Give credit where it’s due: Trump’s interior secretary, Ryan Zinke, said during a recent visit to Maine that he could support turning a beautiful new national monument in northern Maine, Katahdin Woods Read More
Gov. LePage Misinforms Public in Push to End Land Trust Tax Exemptions
About 95% of the land is already on the tax rolls, and the fiscal impact of taxing the others would be negligible. by Tim Glidden, David Trahan, and Kate Dempsey Portland Press Herald op-ed At the 11th hour and with state government teetering on the edge of a shutdown, the governor has stirred up a Read More
Banner photo: Moose near Baxter State Park, by Gerard Monteux
