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.
LURC Takes One Step Forward for Clean Energy, Not Two
NRCM news release Today, Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission made two important decisions on the future of wind power in Maine. “The Commission could have taken two steps forward on clean energy for Maine; instead they took one,” said NRCM Clean Energy Director Dylan Voorhees. The Land Use Regulation Commission voted 4-2 to recommend rejecting Read More
Experts Predict Widespread Impacts from Plum Creek Plan
Wildlife, Water Quality, and Character of Moosehead Lake at Risk AUGUSTA, November 8, 2007—Today, Maine’s two leading environmental organizations described the potential harm to the Moosehead Lake region that could occur as a result of Plum Creek’s proposed development plans for the area. The adverse impacts were identified by a 12-member team of environmental, wildlife, Read More
NRCM Statement about Experts’ Predictions of Widespread Impacts from Plum Creek Proposal
by Brownie Carson, NRCM executive director In less than one month, the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission will begin hearings on the largest development proposal the state of Maine has ever seen. Plum Creek’s massive development plan for the Moosehead Lake region has been the focus of attention for the past three years, and now Read More
NRCM and Maine Audubon Support Revitalized Moosehead Ski Area
Natural Resources Council of Maine * Maine Audubon Today, the Natural Resources Council of Maine and Maine Audubon submitted a letter to Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission in support of the concept of Jim Confalone’s announced intention to revitalize the downhill ski resort he owns at Moose Mountain, overlooking Moosehead Lake. Mr. Confalone has publicly Read More
NRCM Files 60-Day Notice to Sue US FWS to Protect Canada Lynx
News release Today, the Natural Resources Council of Maine was among the twenty-one groups filing a sixty-day notice of intent-to-sue to force the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to protect Canada lynx and their habitat. “Today, we have filed an intent-to-sue to compel the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to do their job and Read More
Plum Creek’s Revised Plan Still Raises Deep Concerns
Environmental Groups and Moosehead Area Residents Oppose the Company’s Latest Plan News Release AUGUSTA, June 18, 2007—Today, Maine’s two leading environmental organizations are filing to intervene to oppose Plum Creek’s latest development proposal for the Moosehead Lake region. At press conferences in Bangor and Portland today, the executive directors of Maine Audubon and the Natural Read More
Statement Regarding Plum Creek’s Newest Development Proposal for Moosehead Lake
by Brownie Carson, NRCM executive director Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. These six words capture what’s at stake for the Moosehead Lake region today. We all know of places in Maine, and across the country, where development has ruined the unique character of those places forever. NRCM, Maine Audubon, residents of the Moosehead Lake Read More
Plum Creek: Please Get It Right
by Eleanor Kinney Maine Sunday Telegram op-ed Plum Creek has gone back to the drawing board. It needed to. Its plan to build two resorts and 975 house lots scattered across the Moosehead Lake Region has created controversy and concern throughout our state. Plum Creek, a real estate investment trust and the largest private property Read More
Banner photo: Moose near Baxter State Park, by Gerard Monteux
