As we’ve done for several years, this month’s column is a reminder from Don Cote at the Duck Pond Wildlife Rehab Center that not all young animals that appear lost or orphaned actually need to be rescued. Despite people’s good intentions, some babies do not need human involvement other than careful observation. Again, I’m going 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.
Final Wind Energy Area for Gulf of Maine Protects Key Fishing Ground and Minimizes Wildlife Impacts
BOEM Announcement Sets the Stage for What Could be Nation’s First Floating Offshore Wind Farms News Release March 15, 2024 (Augusta, ME) — The federal government today announced the final Wind Energy Area where development of offshore wind may occur in the Gulf of Maine. The area designated by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Read More
Critter Chatter — Is It Spring Yet?
“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds” is a phrase we associate with U.S. postal carriers, but I think it could easily describe Don Cote and his volunteers at the Wildlife Care Center in Vassalboro. (Out of curiosity, I searched online Read More
Pickett Mountain Mining Proposal Rejected
Decision comes after overwhelming opposition from Wabanaki Tribes, local businesses, and conservation groups Penobscot Nation | Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Natural Resources Council of Maine | Conservation Law Foundation | Maine Audubon | Earthjustice News release February 14, 2024 (Brewer, ME) The Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) has firmly rejected a mining proposal Read More
Making Room for Everyone in Conservation
I am an avid hunter and angler, and I am also a fierce environmentalist. I believe there is no reason why sportsmen and sportswomen need to be a mutually exclusive group from the environmental movement and alliance. I was lucky enough to be raised by very progressive parents in the 90s and 2000s who taught Read More
Critter Chatter – Nuts to You!
I love chatting with Don Cote at the Duck Pond Wildlife Rehab Center – he has more than 50 years of critter stories to share! Not all have happily-ever-after endings, but I think every one of the animals Don and his late wife Carleen cared for over the decades touched his heart. It’s comforting to Read More
Critter Chatter – Some Things Never Change
Admissions at Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center slow down at this time of year; the only new resident I saw today was a gray squirrel, which had been hit by a car several days ago. No external injuries were seen, and Don said it was eating and drinking normally, so hopefully it has suffered only Read More
Maine Voices Opposed to Wolfden’s Mining
As the Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) prepares to make its decision regarding Wolfden Resources’ flawed mining proposal, more than a thousand Mainers, local businesses, Wabanaki tribes, government agencies, and conservation and philanthropic organizations have submitted written testimony opposed to the project because it’s too big of a risk for Maine. The broad range of Read More
Critter Chatter – The Dangers of Glue Traps
Please note: This post contains descriptions of what happens to animals trapped in glue traps and may be upsetting to some readers. I knew immediately what I wanted to write about this month after seeing a young red squirrel recently admitted to Duck Pond Wildlife Rehab – he was the sole survivor of his litter Read More