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The Land for Maine's Future program has helped preserve more than 67 miles of shoreline on rivers, lakes and ponds, as well as 42 farms and 9,819 acres of farmland and the conversion of 158 miles of former railroad corridors into recreational trails. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Friday, September 20, 2024

ME boosts land conservation projects as climate change alters terrain

Maine officials are stepping up land conservation projects as climate change continues to alter the state's terrain. New funding from the Land for …

More than one-third of plants and animals in Maine are expected to suffer dramatic population decline by the end of the century due to the impacts of climate change, according to the Natural Resources Council of Maine. (Adobe Stock)

Climate change alters ME biodiversity as species' range shifts north

Scientists said climate change is having an unprecedented and accelerating effect on the biodiversity of plants and animals in Maine. Rising sea …

Local and federal resources for Mainers who have been affected by the damaging storms that hit Maine on December 18, 2023, and January 10, 2024, are available through the Maine Emergency Management Agency by calling 1-800-452-8735. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Climate change, development threaten Maine’s working waterfronts

Reintroduced federal legislation aims to preserve Maine's iconic, working waterfronts still recovering from recent powerful storms. Strong winds and …

The Hudson, Susquehanna, Delaware, Connecticut and Merrimack watersheds in the Northeastern U.S. have experienced some of the steepest declines in snowpack, according to a study by Dartmouth researchers. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Study reveals climate change erasing seasonal snowpacks of New England

A new study found seasonal snowpacks throughout New England have shrunk significantly over the past 40 years due to human-driven climate change…

More than one-third of threatened and endangered species live only in wetlands, according to the EPA. In Maine, some of the threatened species found in wetlands include the Blanding's Turtle, Ringed Boghaunter Dragonfly, and English Sundew. (Adobe Stock)

U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Affects Maine Waterways

Environmental advocates say the U.S. Supreme Court has dealt a major blow to the Clean Water Act and to Maine's ability to protect some of its most …

Conservationists note that old, wild forests bring various benefits, from storing carbon to preserving biodiversity. (Wikimedia Commons)

Groups Aim to Protect Old Forest in Northern Appalachian-Acadian Ecoregion

Conservationists in the Northern Appalachian-Acadian region are changing how they think about forest protection and management, by bringing together …

More than 190 winter bird species can be found in Maine, including chickadees, crows and mallards. (Ann Stryzhekin/Adobe Stock)

Maine Birders Urged to Assist in Mapping Wintering Species

The Maine Bird Atlas is in its fourth year out of five, an effort to document the abundance and distribution of the state's wintering and breeding …

Acadia National Park's maintenance center is being revamped through the Great American Outdoors Act. (Jake/Adobe Stock)

One Year Later, Great American Outdoors Act Projects Underway in Maine

BAR HARBOR, Maine -- One year after the Great American Outdoors Act was signed into law, repairs and maintenance to the nation's more than 400 …

Browntail moth cocoons can be found on the outsides of buildings and vehicles, on outdoor equipment, plant stems, branches and foliage. (Robirensi/Adobe Stock)<br />

Mainers Urged to Avoid Poisonous Browntail Moths

WATERVILLE, Maine - Maine is facing another outbreak of browntail moths, an invasive caterpillar species with tiny hairs that are poisonous to humans…

Funding from the Recovering America's Wildlife Act could help proactive efforts to protect the Maine moose population, the official state animal. (JMP Traveler/Adobe Stock)

Federal Bill Would Help Maine Keep "Common Species Common"

AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine conservation groups say the Recovering America's Wildlife Act, just introduced in Congress, would not only help the state help …

If confirmed, New Mexico Representative Deb Haaland would be the first-ever Native American cabinet secretary. (Wikimedia Commons)

Conservationists: Haaland Fights for Public Lands, Natural Resources

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Conservationists in Maine say Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., will work to restore public lands and natural resources as Secretary of the …

A new federal Office of Climate Change is expected to address the intersection between climate change and public health; for example, pollution in certain communities leading to higher rates of respiratory illness. (spiritofamerica/Adobe Stock)

ME Climate Expert Applauds Exec. Orders to Tackle Climate Change

AUGUSTA, Maine -- President Joe Biden will sign a bundle of executive orders today, reversing more Trump-administration rollbacks and setting new …

The proposed transmission corridor would intersect the Appalachian Trail three times. (mahout/Adobe Stock)

Environmentalists Fault Certification of CMP Corridor

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Environmentalists say the Land Use Planning Commission's decision to certify a proposed power transmission corridor through Maine …

Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis is part of the Task Force on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Implementing Act. (University of Maine bio)

Maine Considers Changes to Indian Claims Act

AUGUSTA, Maine – Maine could soon revise its legal relationship with American Indian nations. Maine treats tribal nations as municipalities …

Warming winters in New England could force out the region's iconic, cold-loving sugar maple (Bob Nichols/USDA).

Analysis: Trump's Endangered Species Act Rules Could Devastate New England Forests

AUGUSTA, Maine – A new analysis by Defenders of Wildlife shows that New England could be hard hit if the Trump administration’s new …

In addition to Maine's LD 955, the U.S. Senate also is considering legislation to ban oil and gas drilling off the New England coast. (Dan/Adobe Stock)

Maine Senate Passes Offshore Drilling Ban

AUGUSTA, Maine - The Maine Senate overwhelmingly passed an offshore-drilling ban on Tuesday by a vote of 31-4. The next step for LD 955 is Gov…

Acadia National Park has received funding from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. (OakleyOriginals/Creative Commons)

House Subcommittee Takes Up Land & Water Conservation Fund Budget

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump's budget proposal recommends gutting more than 95% of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Nonetheless, a House …

If proposed changes to the Clean Water Act are adopted, many streams and wetlands would no longer be protected. (Dougtone/Flickr)

Clean Water Act Changes Could Impact Maine Economy

BELGRADE LAKES, MAINE – The Trump Administration is trying to narrow the scope of the Clean Water Act, a change that would exclude about half …

In 2018, Maine passed a resolution against President Donald Trump's offshore drilling plan. (Jack Flanagan/Flickr)

Public Hearing Set on Ban to Offshore Drilling in Maine

AUGUSTA, Maine – A public hearing is taking place today about a bill that would ban offshore drilling in Maine. It's in response to a Trump …

Maine's North Woods, the largest undeveloped forest in the Eastern U.S., could be affected by proposed changes to a state zoning law. (ThomasRobertKelley/Wikimedia Commons)

Changes to Maine Zoning Law Could Affect Jobs, Forests

BREWER, Maine — Proposed zoning law changes could dramatically impact rural areas of Maine, including the state's vast forestland. A public …

Acadia National Park is one of Maine's four national parks that could benefit from legislation in Congress to catch up maintenance work in the parks, if it passes in 2019. (National Park Service)

Maine's National Parks Must Wait for Overdue Maintenance

ELLSWORTH, Maine — At year's end, the Restore Our Parks Act ended up being sidelined in Congress, one of many priorities that stalled in the …

The town of Jackman, which just voted to oppose the CMP transmission line, is located on Maine's border with Canada. (Wbaron/Wikimedia Commons)

CMP Transmission Line to Face State Hurdles in 2019

JACKMAN, Maine — The town of Jackman has joined a growing number of places and organizations that oppose the proposed Central Maine Power …

Acadia National Park has the most visitors per square mile of any U.S. national park. (National Park Service)

Sen. King "Cautiously Optimistic" on Funds to Fix Acadia Nat'l Park

MOUNT DESERT, Maine – Decades of deferred maintenance at Acadia and other national parks has been caused by a lack of funding nationwide…

Many of the EPA regulations that Scott Pruitt scrapped or delayed as EPA administrator had not yet taken effect before his resignation. (Wikimedia Commons)

Government Watchdog Groups: Pruitt's EPA Exit "Long Overdue"

WASHINGTON – After allegedly overspending on everything from pens to lavish trips and accepting questionable deals from lobbyists, government …

Eight in 10 voters in a new survey support Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, opposed by Gov. Paul LePage.

Poll: Mainers Want Next Governor to be Environment-Friendly

AUGUSTA, Maine — A new poll shows Mainers are not in sync with Gov. Paul LePage when it comes to the environment. Most voters want to replace …

In 2016, tourism generated an estimated $275 million for gateway communities to Maine's four national parks. (TravelUSA/Flickr)

Congress Looks to Address Neglected Upkeep at National Parks

AUGUSTA, Maine – National parks in Maine and other states would get some much needed upkeep under a new bill in Congress. The National Park …

Proposed EPA cuts come as the administration calls for offshore drilling off the Atlantic coast. (bones64/Pixabay)

Proposed Budget Called Bad News for Maine's Environment

AUGUSTA, Maine – Proposed cuts to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency would put air and water quality in Maine at risk, according to an …

Extreme weather in 2017 caused a half-trillion dollars in damage across the United States. (paulbr75/Pixabay)

Report: Climate Change Drove Extreme Weather in 2017

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Catastrophic hurricanes, severe flooding and raging wildfires fueled by drought have been prominent features of an eventful year …

Both Maine Senators have opposed measures in Congress that would allow drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Steve Hillebrand/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Vote This Week Could Open Cherished Arctic Landscape to Drilling

AUGUSTA, Maine – A plan to open up a cherished landscape to oil and gas drilling is moving steadily through Congress – and could have …

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is on a leaked report from U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke of monuments that could be reduced in size. (U.S. Dept. of the Interior)

Katahdin Woods and Waters: "Renewed Hope for Maine"

AUGUSTA, Maine – From Maine to California, hundreds of small businesses are speaking up on behalf of some of the country's most treasured …

With the Katahdin Woods and Waters and 26 other national monuments under review, new data shows major economic and employment impacts for Maine. (U.S. Dept. of Interior).

New Data: Maine Sees Major Economic Impact from National Parks, Monuments

AUGUSTA, Maine – As the Trump administration reviews the fate of dozens of national monuments, new data shows hundreds of millions of dollars …

An early review of thousands of comments shows Maine residents overwhelmingly support maintaining the status of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. (TR Kelley/Wikimedia Commons)

Last Day for Mainers to Comment on National Monuments Review

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Monday is the last day for the public to comment on the future of Maine's Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and 25 other …

John Hafford of Millinocket is a member of a delegation calling on members of Congress to support national monuments, including the Katahdin Woods and Waters Monument in Maine. (J. Hafford)

Defenders in DC – "Don’t Downsize" Our National Monuments

WASHINGTON – Supporters of national monuments are in Washington Thursday to try to fend off efforts by the Trump administration to downsize what…

A congressional committee heard testimony on Tuesday from Gov. Paul LePage, who raised questions about the value of designating the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. (J. Sheaffer)

LePage, in DC, Casts Cloud Over New National Monument

WASHINGTON, D. C. – Maine Gov. Paul LePage fired another shot on Tuesday in the nation's capital against the recently-designated Katahdin Woods …

Mainers who hike and enjoy the outdoors will have greater access to forests under a measure that comes up for a hearing Tuesday. (Chris Shane).

Public Hearing: Get Me to My Hiking Trail

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Lawmakers will hold a hearing Tuesday on a measure that would establish priorities for Public Reserved Lands to provide better …

A broad based coalition is urging Sen. Susan Collins to join Sen. Angus King in opposing the nomination of Scott Pruitt to head the EPA. (Natural Resources Council of Maine)

Coalition Urges Maine Senators to Unite, Reject EPA Nominee

AUGUSTA, Maine – With a vote possible as early as this week, environmental advocates are urging both of Maine's U.S. senators to unite in …

There should be no shortage of Moose at Maine's newest national monument in the North Woods. (Walter Ezell via wiki).

Opportunity Knocks with New Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

AUGUSTA, Maine – President Barack Obama on Wednesdasy designated a new national monument for Maine. Its goal is to preserve the landscape and …

A former woolen mill in Berwick is now providing much-needed senior housing, through an EPA brownfields cleanup loan. (EPA)

Maine Groups Get $600,000 in EPA Brownfields Cleanup Funds

AUGUSTA, Maine – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) just handed out $10 million in funds to help communities clean up sites that may …

Some Mainers are in Washington, D.C., today to urge designation of a North Woods National Monument. (P. Corrigan, Jr).

Mainers Join Advocates in DC to Urge Protection of North Woods

AUGUSTA, Maine - Mainers will join wilderness-protection advocates from across the nation in Washington, D.C., today to urge designation of new …

Mainers gave feedback in Millinocket and at the University of Maine in Orono on Monday about the proposed North Woods National Monument (Mark Picard)

Mainers Give Feedback on Proposed North Woods National Monument

AUGUSTA, Maine - The director of the National Park Service was in Maine on Monday to gather public input on the proposed North Woods National …

Maine and New Hampshire are working together, taking biological samples and using GPS tracking collars to study the survival rate of moose in both states. (Ashley Malinowski)

Maine, NH Team Up to Track Moose Survival Rates

AUGUSTA, Maine – Shorter winters are blamed for driving up the local tick and parasite population, which can be fatal to moose, and now Maine …

Hunting and fishing contribute half a billion dollars to Maine's economy and a new (NWF) survey shows wide bipartisan report for extending EPA Clean Water protections to smaller rivers and streams. Credit: Missing Lynx/NRCM.

Poll Finds Wide Support for Clean Water

AUGUSTA, Maine – Tea Party voters are well represented in a new bipartisan survey that finds broad support for the Clean Water Act. Three-in-…

Summer vacation adventures on public lands could change dramatically if the push to turn federal lands over to state control succeeds, and there have been moves to do that in both the U.S. House and Senate. Photo of beach-goers at Assateague Island. Courtesy: National Park Service.

Vacation Plans and Public Lands: Complicated Relationships Ahead?

AUGUSTA, Maine – Summer vacation adventures on public lands could change dramatically if the push to turn federal lands over to state control …

PHOTO: A new poll conducted after the midterm elections indicates a majority of voters in six of the so-called battleground states want action on the climate crisis, regardless of which way they voted. The Sierra Club believes the same would hold true for Maine voters. Photo credit: pixabay

Poll: Voters Want Action on Climate Crisis

PORTLAND, Maine – No matter which side of the political aisle they were on and no matter which way their elections went three weeks ago…

PHOTO: Maine is a national leader in land conservation, and a new report is aimed at making sure it stays that way. Photo courtesy of Ryan Neale, Maine Development Foundation.

Plotting to Preserve Maine's Conservation Lands

AUGUSTA, Maine - When it comes to land conservation, Maine is a national leader, coming in second in the U.S. in total acreage preserved for …

PHOTO: A new report from the National Wildlife Federation finds winter ticks are becoming more abundant in Maine, in part because of less severe winters. The ticks pose a threat to the depleted New England moose population. Photo credit: Paul Anderson/Morguefile.

Report Finds Ticks on Rise; Bad News for Moose and Maine

AUGUSTA, Maine. - With autumn around the corner, a new report from the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) finds Maine's winter tick population is …

PHOTO: The EPA holds hearings across the country beginning Tuesday on its proposed Clean Air Plan aimed at reducing carbon emissions from power plants. While Maine is not a hearing site, one member of Congress is making sure her voice is heard. Photo credit: Dori / Wikimedia Commons.

EPA to Get an Earful on Clean Air

PORTLAND, Maine - The Environmental Protection agency (EPA) will begin holding a series of public hearings across the U.S. on Tuesday on the newly-…

PHOTO: Two Lights State Park in Cumberland County is among the beneficiaries of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Congress initially passed legislation creating the fund 50 years ago this week. Photo credit: Wikipedia.

Land and Water Conservation Fund Lauded, Defended

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Wednesday marked the 50th anniversary of the vote in Congress which created the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Signed …

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ME: Public Lands/Wilderness