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.
Statement by NRCM in Support of Establishment of a New National Monument
I’m Lisa Pohlmann, executive director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine and we are proud to support the national monument. We join many good friends from the Katahdin region who we’ve gotten to know very well over the past five years who also support the monument. And we represent 16,000 members and supporters from Read More
Maine Can Offer a North Woods Experience as Magnificent as the Grand Tetons
By Terry Tempest Williams, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed Let us imagine a monumental celebration on Aug. 25. Let us imagine President Barack Obama establishing the Maine Woods National Monument in full view of Mount Katahdin and the shimmering waters that flow from the headwaters of the Penobscot River, home to the Read More
North Woods Park Plan Offers Economic Benefits Both Near and Far
Our U.S. senators should recognize the possibilities offered by the marketing of the National Park Service. By Daniel Kleban, co-founder and co-owner of Maine Beer Co. in Freeport Portland Press Herald op-ed FREEPORT — A private family foundation is willing to donate to the American people nearly 88,000 acres of beautiful, pristine and historically important Read More
A May Daydream
By Jeff and Allison Wells Boothbay Register column Now that the season has crept into May, the trickle of migrant birds returning north is gaining strength and moving closer to the wave that will arrive by mid-May. Already, birders from across Maine are reporting their first-of-year rose-breasted grosbeaks and black-throated green warblers and great-crested flycatchers. Read More
It’s the Ideal Time to Say Yes to a New National Park in Maine
by Kate Rush, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed Conservation and the economy go hand in hand, especially in Maine. This connection is well-established and easy to see in America’s National Park System, which celebrates its 10oth anniversary in 2016. All around the United States, from the Everglades in Florida to Denali in Read More
National Monument Proposal a Historic Opportunity for Katahdin Region
It would be the first step toward the creation of a national park as well as desperately needed jobs. by Gail Fanjoy, president of the Katahdin Area Chamber of Commerce in Millinocket Portland Press Herald op-ed MILLINOCKET — Many residents and organizations in the Katahdin region support a proposed national monument east of Baxter State Read More
Brook Trout Make Maine World-class Fishing Destination
The wild and native fish are a vital natural resource that provide an economic boost to the state. By Deirdre Fleming, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Robert and Teresa Proctor of Atlanta have fished in New Zealand, Alaska, Chile, Belize and the Amazon. But every summer they travel to Libby Camps in Aroostook Read More
Angus King Asks National Park Service Director to Visit Katahdin Region
By Nick Sambides Jr., BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Angus King wants the National Park Service’s leader to hear what Katahdin region residents have to say about a proposed North Woods national monument, he said Friday. King wrote Director Jonathan B. Jarvis that while President Barack Obama has the Read More
National Park a Great Opportunity for Katahdin Region, State
We and our elected officials should be jumping at the chance to link two powerful, attractive brands: Maine and National Parks. By Adam Lee of Cumberland, president of Lee Auto Malls Maine Sunday Telegram op-ed If you were driving cross country and your Jeep broke down, would you call the Jeep dealership or Frank’s car repair? If Read More
Banner photo: Moose near Baxter State Park, by Gerard Monteux
