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.
A Katahdin Region National Park is an Opportunity We Can’t Let Slip Away
By Georgia Manzo, Bangor Daily News op-ed I am writing to express my personal support for the proposed national park and national recreation or national monument in the Katahdin Region and applaud the recent Bangor Daily News endorsement. I grew up in Little Italy in Millinocket; my grandfather and father worked their entire adult lives Read More
50 Years Ago, We Had Foresight to Protect Allagash Wilderness Waterway
By Tim Caverly Bangor Daily News op-ed Anyone who studies the history of our national parks and wild and scenic rivers will discover the controversy that stormed over the efforts to protect our special areas. While thousands appreciate the opportunity to recharge in the outdoors, there are a few people who argue for development to Read More
Maine House Votes to Renew $6.5 Million in Conservation Bonds
By A.J. Higgins MPBN news story AUGUSTA, Maine — After some last minute wrangling, the Maine House voted to give all but final approval to $6.5 million in land conservation bonds that expired last fall. The vote was unanimous. A plan agreed to last week by the House, Senate and the governor gave the state Read More
Canoeing the East Branch of the Penobscot River: September 13-18, 2015
by Bruce & Hartley Spencer We were introduced to this wild part of Maine when our parents took us to Baxter State Park in 1955. This visit and subsequent visits impressed upon Hartley and me what a magnificent gift Percival Baxter gave to the people of Maine. Our first canoe was named Wassataquoik for this Read More
Forest Products Industry Shouldn’t Get Louder Say Than Mainers on National Park
By David Fogg, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed I have lived in Mattawamkeag my entire life, and for many years I’ve watched the development of the proposal for a national park next to Baxter State Park. It’s past time for action on this idea. The paper industry is gone. I know this Read More
A Mountain Biking Trip to KWW for All Skill Levels
I recently had the opportunity, as a member of the NRCM Rising Leadership Team, to visit the proposed National Park property East of Baxter for the first time. I excitedly accepted, and am so glad I did!
We Need to Let Land for Maine’s Future Make Good on Its Commitments
By Russell Black, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed Early winter is just about my favorite time of year to be in the woods. The leaves are off the hardwoods, a few apples cling to the old orchard trees, a crunchy layer of snow is (usually) on the ground and, if I’m lucky, Read More
Time to Show Our Patriotism with a New National Park in Maine
By Sheridan Steele and W. Kent Olson, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed Paul Haertel, Marla O’Byrne and the two of us represent a century-plus as park officials and nonprofit conservation executives. Below we address questions about a proposal by philanthropists to create a new national park in Maine. They would donate a Read More
Exploring Katahdin Woods and Waters
In February I spent five days with students from Chewonki’s Maine Coast Semester exploring Katahdin Woods and Waters, the area east of Baxter State Park proposed for inclusion in the National Park system. The Maine Coast Semester is a four-month-long program for high school juniors. In the fall and again in the winter/spring, 42 participants Read More
Banner photo: Moose near Baxter State Park, by Gerard Monteux
