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.
NRCM Response to the Citizen Solutions released by the Moosehead Region Future Committee
NRCM Statement NRCM supports the Moosehead Region Futures Committee statement that “Permanent conservation and sustainable community development are the bedrock foundations of the Moosehead Region’s future health and vitality.” NRCM supports this effort by residents of the Moosehead region to secure permanent conservation and sustainable development that is appropriately located and meshes with the character Read More
NRCM Releases Web-Based Flash Movie
“BIG MOOSETAKE: Plum Creek’s Plans to Spoil Moosehead” Augusta, Maine -Today, the Natural Resources Council of Maine released a two-minute, web-based “flash movie” designed to inform Maine people about the large developments proposed by Seattle-based Plum Creek Real Estate Investment Corporation in the Moosehead Lake region. View the movie, BIG MOOSETAKE: Plum Creek’s Plans to Read More
NRCM and Local Citizens Oppose Seattle Corporation’s Plans for Massive Moosehead Lake Subdivision
Huge subdivision, luxury resorts, lack of significant conservation, would chop into heart of Maine’s North Woods NRCM news release Today, accompanied by local residents, the Natural Resources Council of Maine announced its opposition to Seattle-based Plum Creek Real Estate Investment Corporation’s plan to change the character of Maine’s North Woods forever by scattering subdivisions with Read More
Plum Creek’s Massive Development Plan for the Moosehead Lake Region
NRCM news release Good morning. My name is Brownie Carson and I am the Executive Director of the Natural Resources Council of Maine. The Natural Resources Council is here today to announce our opposition to the largest development ever proposed for Maine. I am referring to Seattle-based Plum Creek Real Estate Investment Corporation’s plans for Read More
Response to Plum Creek Development Proposal Announced
NRCM news release Statement by Cathy Johnson, NRCM North Woods Project Director The Moosehead Lake area is a gem for local residents, and for people across the state and the nation. There is nothing that we would like better than to see this area of the state permanently protected. The spectacular mountaintops, undeveloped ponds and Read More
Peter Brann and Ben Lund Receive 2004 Environmental Award
The Natural Resources Council of Maine recognizes with deep appreciation their efforts to defend Maine’s environment in the courts. Peter Brann and Ben Lund, partners in the Lewiston-based law firm of Brann & Isaacson, have brought their considerable professional skills, tenacity, and love of Maine to a necessary part of the advocacy process—using the courts Read More
Down East Region Spared 84-Mile Transmission Line
NRCM news release Emera, the parent company of Bangor Hydro, has decided not to move forward at this time with a proposed 170-foot wide, 84-mile transmission line that would have bisected Hancock and Washington Counties, running between Orrington, north of Bangor, and Baileyville, on the New Brunswick border. This massive new transmission line was strongly Read More
Victory for Maine People, Undeveloped Lakes, Forests, and Prime Salmon Rivers Downeast
Facing certain defeat in front of the Board of Environmental Protection, Bangor Hydro Electric has withdrawn its application for a new transmission line across Hancock and Washington Counties in Downeast Maine, which was strongly opposed by the Natural Resources Council of Maine and citizens from throughout the state and region. “This is great news for Read More
State Reaffirms Commitment to “Wild” Allagash Wilderness Waterway
News Release AUGUSTA, MAINE – Citizens, sports people and conservationists from all parts of Maine are pleased that today the state has reaffirmed its responsibility to manage the Allagash as a “wild” river area and has committed to revise its management plan to “incorporate the intent of the federal “wild’s river designation.” The Memorandum of Read More
Banner photo: Moose near Baxter State Park, by Gerard Monteux
