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.
Maine’s ‘Valuable Addition’ to National Park System is Ready for Your Visit
By The BDN Editorial Board Bangor Daily News editorial The Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is reality. After decades of planning — and rancor — 87,500 acres of land near Patten are permanently protected and part of the National Park Service inventory with the president’s signature on an executive order Wednesday morning. “Katahdin Woods Read More
Obama Signs Order Creating North Woods National Monument
By Nick Sambides Jr., Staff Writer Bangor Daily News news story WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Barack Obama signed into law the creation of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument on Wednesday, a day after landowner Roxanne Quimby transferred 87,563 acres of her property in Maine to the federal government. The executive order states that Read More
NRCM Lauds Creation of a New National Monument in Maine
Katahdin Woods and Waters will be “protected forever” NRCM news release The Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) today heralded the creation of a new national monument in Maine. “We are thrilled about President Obama’s decision to establish a new national monument in Maine on land east of Baxter State Park,” said NRCM Executive Director Read More
Statement by Lisa Pohlmann about Creation of New Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
We are thrilled about President Obama’s decision to establish a new national monument in Maine on land east of Baxter State Park. We can think of no better way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service than with the addition of the wonderful Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. We are delighted Read More
Roxanne Quimby Transfers 87,000 Acres Planned for National Monument to US Government
By Nick Sambides Jr., BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story BANGOR, Maine — The company owned by Roxanne Quimby’s family transferred more than 87,000 acres to the federal government on Tuesday, strongly indicating President Barack Obama soon will designate a North Woods national monument. Susan F. Bulay, Penobscot County register of deeds, confirmed the Read More
I Used to Oppose a Big Park in the North Woods. Now, I See a National Monument Can Work.
By Bucky Owen, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed I can envision a small national monument east of Baxter State Park centered around three rivers: the East Branch of the Penobscot, the Seboeis and the Wassataquoik, all special places in Maine. The name is one I came up with, but the idea of Read More
16-year Penobscot River Restoration Project Reaches the Finish Line
by James McCarthy Mainebiz news story For the first time since the 1800s, nearly 1,000 miles of habitat along the Penobscot River are accessible to Atlantic salmon and 10 other fish species that spend part of their lives at sea but return to fresh water for spawning. The final step making that possible — a Read More
Quimby Gives 100 Acres to Acadia on Centennial
By Dick Broom, staff writer Mount Desert Islander news story ACADIA NAT’L PARK — Philanthropist Roxanne Quimby’s land conservation foundation, Elliotsville Plantation Inc., is donating 13 parcels of land totaling 100 acres on Mount Desert Island to Acadia National Park just in time to help the park celebrate its centennial. Five of the parcels are Read More
Poliquin Puts Fate of National Monument in Hands of Utah Lawmakers
By David Jenkins, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin often frames his primary concern about the possible establishment of a national monument in the Katahdin region as one of process and that the decision is locally driven. Too bad his actions suggest otherwise. Poliquin has shown utter contempt for Read More
Banner photo: Moose near Baxter State Park, by Gerard Monteux
