WLBZ-2 TV news story Are Maine’s mining laws outdated? The battle lines are being drawn between the state’s largest landowner and environmentalists over a bill before state lawmakers that could allow J.D. Irving to start a mining operation on land it owns in Aroostook County. Bald Mountain sits on land owned by JD Irving in Read More
Protecting Wildlife
Maine is home to a wide variety of wildlife, and, for some species, Maine makes up a vast majority of their range or provides essential habitat that can’t be found elsewhere. NRCM works to protect Maine’s wildlife by advocating for policies that ensure they have healthy habitat and abundant resources to thrive.
Inside Maine’s Woods
You are used to watching our “Insider” videos from the State House or various other venues where NRCM staff are working each day. We thought this video was a great way to bring you “inside” Maine’s woods. The video is taken by a homemade motion-sensored camera built by NRCM member Bryan Wells. Read more about this video Read More
Mercury Causes “Foggy Headed” Loons to Fail as Parents, Possibly Threatening Their Future
By Seth Koenig, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story STANDISH, Maine — When Thom Watson is showing tourists or budding sportsmen around the lakes of Maine, loons are the prized sightings. “In terms of Maine folklore, when I’m with clients, I love to see them, love to hear them and, maybe most of all, Read More
Supporters, Opponents Square Off Over Mining Bill Aimed at County
by Jen Lynds, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — A near equal number of supporters and opponents spoke during a four-and-a-half-hour public hearing Wednesday on a bill to change the state’s mining laws. Rep. John Martin, D-Eagle Lake, said he was prompted to introduce the bill by the increasing price of minerals Read More
Maine Mining Proposal Draws Fire, Support
by A.J. Higgins MPBN news story A proposal to revise the state’s open pit mining regulations to improve the prospects for an operation in Aroostook County is drawing fire from critics, who cite environmental concerns. Democratic state Rep. John Martin, of Eagle Lake, who introduced the proposed changes, says they could benefit a mining site at Read More
Creature Feature: Bohemian Waxwing
Unlike most bird species, Bohemian Waxwings do not hold breeding territories, and in winter, they wander in search of large staples of fruits and berries. Typically, they breed from Alaska across northwestern Canada south to British Columbia, with a few breeding records from parts of the northwestern U.S.. But in winter, when their berry supplies become scarce, they wander south, and if we’re lucky, large flocks of these gorgeous birds appear in Maine.
Report Suggests Songbirds, Bats at Risk of Mercury Poisoning
by Kevin Miller Bangor Daily News news story Researchers examining the effects of mercury on wildlife found elevated levels of the neurotoxin in songbirds and bats from Maine to Virginia, prompting the study’s authors to call for more monitoring and stronger conservation measures. Researchers with the BioDiversity Research Institute, based in Gorham, and The Nature Read More
Mercury and Birds
A report by the Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI), finds that mercury contamination is at levels dangerous enough to cause physiological and reproductive harm in a wide-range of songbirds and bats in the 11 northeastern states, including Maine. The report, Hidden Risk, finds that certain species and habitats are of special concern. Bicknell’s Thrush, Rusty Blackbird, Read More
NRCM Comments Regarding DEP’s Proposed Amendments to Chapter 305, Permit by Rule, Concerning Inland Waterfowl and Wading Bird Habitat
Dear Chair Lessard and Members of the Board: My name is Nick Bennett, I reside in Hallowell, and I am the staff scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM is Maine’s largest environmental advocacy group with 12,000 members and supporters. I am also testifying as a passionate waterfowl hunter and a member of Ducks Read More