In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, the Natural Resources Council of Maine is partnering with Maine photographer Nathaniel Child on a blog and photography series to bring awareness to some of Maine’s threatened and endangered species and their habitat. Passing the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) would help state and wildlife agencies Read More
ecological reserves
Maine Environment Summer 2022 Newsletter
Maine Environment Summer 2022: What’s Inside! In this issue of Maine Environment, we feature a story about our work to expand the Maine Ecological Reserve System through passage of legislation during the 2022 session. As Maine’s environment faces growing threats from development, pollution, invasive species, biodiversity loss, and climate change, it is more important than ever Read More
Maine’s Ecological Reserves: A Vision for “Saving All the Pieces”
Maine’s natural environment provides us with so much: healthy air, clean water, flood control, crop pollination, carbon sequestration, inspiration, recreation, and much more. Though our scientific knowledge grows every year, there are species and relationships in nature we know little about or haven’t even discovered. Maine’s ecological reserve system was created by the Legislature in Read More
A Jaunt in the Bigelows
The Bigelow mountain range is one of Maine’s true gems. The stark ridgeline thrust up by tectonic movement millions of years ago was made even more dramatic by glacial scouring within the last 20 millennia, resulting in a bedrock spine extending 18 miles along the entire length of Flagstaff Lake. The range is home to Read More
Creature Feature: Quebec Emerald Dragonfly
Quebec Emerald Dragonfly Scientific name: Somatochlora brevicincta Cool fact: Quebec emerald dragonfly larvae hatch in places called “flarks.” To find the Quebec emerald, wait for the last week of June. From then until about the middle of August, go north of Moose River and west of Moosehead Lake, in Somerset County, Maine, where sphagnum moss Read More
New Law Will Expand Maine’s Ecological Reserve System
Maine Audubon and Natural Resources Council of Maine news release A bill that will expand Maine’s network of ecological reserves to protect more habitat for the state’s rich array of plants, animals, and other species was signed into law by Governor Janet Mills on Tuesday March 29, 2022. State-owned ecological reserves cover less than 1% Read More
Expansion of Maine’s Ecological Reserve System
A bill that will expand the Maine Ecological Reserve System and thereby better protect the state’s natural habitats and resources was signed into law by Governor Janet Mills on March 29th, 2022. This law, titled An Act To Enhance the Ecological Reserve System, enables Maine’s Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) to add to its Read More
Role of Maine’s Ecological Reserves More Critical Than Ever
Did you know that the Mahoosuc ecological reserve is one of only a few places in Maine where Cutler’s goldenrod occurs? This delicate yellow flower is endemic to a naturally scarce habitat type. It is also one of many powerful messengers demonstrating why Maine’s ecological reserve system is so vitally important—and should be expanded. Maine’s Read More
Support of LD 736, An Act to Enhance Maine’s Ecological Reserve System
Senator Dill, Representative O’Neil, and Members of the Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee, I am Melanie Sturm, Forests and Wildlife Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). I am testifying in support of LD 736, as proposed to be amended by the sponsor. This bill would play a significant role in helping Maine Read More
