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.
Plum Creek’s Plan for Massive Development in Maine Draws Criticism
By Mea Andrews of the Missoulian The Missoulian news story For a snapshot of what Plum Creek Timber Co. might do with prime real estate land, Montana can look 2,000 miles away to the North Woods of Maine. In April 2005, the company submitted a 570-page “concept plan” for the Moosehead Lake region. It is Read More
NRCM Responds to Plum Creek’s Plans to Revise Its Moosehead Development Proposal
Statement of Diano Circo, North Woods Policy Advocate We are encouraged that Plum Creek has requested a delay so the company can revise the massive development it proposed for the Moosehead Lake region. As proposed, the development would destroy the traditional, quiet, undeveloped character of the area. We are grateful to the thousands of Maine Read More
Board Favors Purchase of Land Near Moosehead
Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA — The Land for Maine’s Future board voted Tuesday to spend $1.25 million to conserve more than 37,000 acres near Moosehead Lake despite access concerns raised by some snowmobilers and professional guides. The LMF money will be combined with more than $4 million in federal funds to purchase a Read More
Deer Yard Measures Lauded
By Kevin Miller Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA – Sportsmen applauded recent efforts to protect winter deer habitat on Friday but predicted stiff battles in Maine courtrooms and legislative chambers over trapping and land-use issues during the coming year. Speakers offered a mixed bag to the hunters, fishermen and other outdoor enthusiasts gathered at Read More
Katahdin Lake Project Hinged on a Diligent Duo
By John Richardson, Blethen Maine Newspapers Kennebec Journal news story Last summer, with the deal to add Katahdin Lake to Baxter State Park on the verge of unraveling in the Maine Legislature, Sam Hodder headed north and hiked to the lake for a quiet weekend. For months, as project manager for the Trust for Public Read More
Investigation Exposes Plum Creek Violations
Largest Fine for Logging Law Violations in Maine History and Widespread Damage to Deer Wintering Habitat NRCM news release Documents gathered using Maine’s Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) disclose that this year Plum Creek was charged a $57,000 fine — the largest fine ever assessed in history for breaking Maine’s timber harvesting laws. Other documents Read More
Allagash Wilderness Waterway Deserves Stronger Protection
By Dean and Sheila Bennett Maine Sunday Telegram op-ed On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the creation of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, it is important to recognize and appreciate what the voters of Maine did in November 1966 when they approved a bond issue to develop the maximum wilderness character of the land Read More
More Mainers Oppose Plum Creek Plan for Moosehead
Poll Shows Growing Opposition Despite Plum Creek Media Campaign AUGUSTA, MAINE – A new public opinion poll reveals that Maine people by a growing and overwhelming margin oppose Plum Creek’s proposed development for the Moosehead Lake region. The survey results are striking because they come after Plum Creek Real Estate Investment Trust has funded a Read More
Plum Creek Version 2.0: the Devil is in the Details
By Cathy Johnson, NRCM North Woods Project Director Bangor Daily News op-ed Plum Creek has now submitted Version 2.0, the revised version of its massive development plan to transform the Moosehead Lake region. As with Version 1.0, their original plan, it is crucial to read the fine print, rather than rely on Plum Creek’s ceaseless Read More
Banner photo: Moose near Baxter State Park, by Gerard Monteux
