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.
Whimper, Not Bang, Ends 2015 Maine Lawmaking Session
By Scott Thistle, LSJ State Politics Editor Sun Journal news story AUGUSTA — An often tumultuous first half of the 127th Maine legislative session came to a nondramatic close Thursday more than six months after it started — making it one of the longest in recent state history. Beyond a smattering of official sentiments honoring Read More
LePage Prepares Bill to Save Conservation Bonds, but Critics Wary of Motive, Legality
Steve Mistler, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA – Gov. Paul LePage announced Wednesday that he’s submitted legislation that will extend the lifespan of $6.5 million in voter-approved conservation bonds that are set to expire in November. Details of the proposal are not yet public, however, the administration said the newly drafted bill Read More
Legislature Wraps Up Business with Final Debates
News Center Maine news story AUGUSTA, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — The Legislature on Thursday worked to finally finish business for the year, and adjourn, but not without some last- minute drama. Lawmakers were back in Augusta for a one day session to deal with a handful of vetoes from Gov. Paul LePage. The biggest of Read More
Legislative Override Would Make Governors Accountable to Voters
by David Trahan Portland Press Herald op-ed On June 11, the Maine Senate and House voted by overwhelming, veto-proof majorities to stand with Maine people when it comes to honoring their will as expressed at the ballot box. On Thursday, they should stand firm again. The issue is Gov. LePage’s continued refusal – for unrelated Read More
Lawmakers Must Hold Firm to Put Land for Maine’s Future Back on Track
Bangor Daily News editorial Lawmakers have taken strong stands on two important issues in recent weeks, pushing back against an obstinate governor to put two programs — Land for Maine’s Future and Efficiency Maine — back on track. We’d like to see lawmakers continue to stand firm against a governor who is demonstrating no interest Read More
Nostalgia Isn’t an Economic Development Plan for the Katahdin Region
By Avern Danforth, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed We need a serious conversation about jobs and how we can create more of them, particularly in northern Maine. The numbers speak for themselves. In communities such as East Millinocket, Millinocket, Medway and Stacyville, the unemployment rate is two or three times the state Read More
Bill Passed by House and Senate would Force LePage to Sell Conservation Bonds
The bill, sponsored by a Republican senator, is a response to the governor’s decision to withhold bonds from a state conservation program as leverage with lawmakers. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — A bill that would force Gov. Paul LePage to sell voter-approved bonds received strong bipartisan support in Read More
Legislature Gives Veto-proof Approval to Bill that would Force LePage to Issue Bonds
By Christopher Cousins, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Paul LePage’s blockage of voter-approved bonds, which he has used several times during his tenure in attempts to force his will on the Legislature, received significant pushback Thursday when the Senate voted 26-9 and the House voted 102-48 for a bill Read More
6 Species that Could Disappear from Maine Within the Next Generation
By Seth Koenig Bangor Daily News column In 2011, the journal Science published a groundbreaking study that tracked the recent habitat shifts of nearly 1,400 animals, plants and insects, and the results were striking. Researchers found that the species were moving away from the equator and into higher elevations two to three times as fast Read More
Banner photo: Moose near Baxter State Park, by Gerard Monteux
