Voices for Maine's Environment

For many of us, the power of nature serves as an inspiration for art, poetry, and action. To recognize the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day and April as National Poetry Month, the Natural Resources Council of Maine created this special series of five podcasts featuring poems by Maine-based poets. In this poetry reading and conversation you’ll hear from award-winning poet, avid birder, and daily haiku...

For many of us, the power of nature serves as an inspiration for art, poetry, and action. To recognize the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day and April as National Poetry Month, the Natural Resources Council of Maine created this special series of five podcasts featuring poems by Maine-based poets. In this poetry reading and conversation you’ll hear from author and former Belfast, Maine, Poet Laureate...

For the past 14 years as NRCM’s Climate and Clean Energy Director Dylan Voorhees has quite literally been a voice on the frontlines of the most important climate and clean energy conversations at the Maine State House. Dylan’s moving on to a new and exciting professional opportunity, and in this episode of Frontline Voices, you’ll hear from him about the clean energy solutions he’s been part of an...

On a cold day in February, the Maine Climate Council met for the second time as part of their work to hammer out a new statewide Climate Action Plan. Just down the hall, more than 100 Maine youth gathered to call on the state’s leaders to take bold climate action. Host Carly Peruccio spoke with some of those youth about their hopes for the future. Listen and get inspired!

From leaping sturgeon and huge returns of alewives in Maine’s rivers to solar wins and youth climate activism, NRCM Advocacy Director Pete Didisheim sits down with host Carly Peruccio to talk about some of the stories and successes from 2019 that gave us hope. As the year comes to an end, Pete also shares what these exciting developments mean for what we can expect in 2020. Happy New Year everyone...

Students at three Portland, Maine, high schools formed the coalition, SolaRise, and organized a march to build support for using solar to power Portland public schools. In August, 2019, the school board voted to support an off-site solar power project. SolaRise received a 2019 NRCM Conservation Leadership Award for their work. Three members of SolaRise speak about their work and share advice to ot...

This conversation between former NRCM Executive Director Brownie Carson and Deputy Director Joan Welsh covers their time at NRCM and their transitions from NRCM to the Maine State House. After leaving NRCM, Joan served in the Maine House of Representatives, and Brownie is currently in his second term in the Maine Senate. Coincidentally, they’ve both served on the Joint Committee on the Environment...

This episode features George Smith, a writer, activist, conservationist, sportsman, and birder. You may know him from his column in the Kennebec Journal or as the former director of the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine (SAM). In our conversation with George, he shares his perspective on the future of wildlife and fisheries protection in Maine; his observations of the impacts of climate change on...

In our newest episode of Frontline Voices, NRCM Advocacy Director Pete Didisheim reflects on Maine’s 129th Legislative Session—and Maine’s environment was a big winner! Governor Janet Mills signed bills into law that will help reduce carbon emissions, support renewable energy development, maintain clean waters, and reduce plastic pollution in our state. It’s refreshing to report that we’re moving...

Maine is poised to take its most substantial action on climate change in over a decade by passing legislation that would update our state’s climate action plan for the first time since 2004. The legislation would also create Governor Janet Mills’ climate council. In this episode, you’ll hear our Democratic Governor Mills, the lead Republican sponsor of the bill, a lobsterman, and NRCM CEO Lisa Poh...

Great beer needs clean water, and NRCM is collaborating with breweries throughout the state to protect Maine’s waters through education and advocacy. In this episode, you’ll hear about our newly launched Maine Brewshed Alliance from NRCM Federal Outreach Coordinator, Kristin Jackson, and three brewers who are part of the alliance: Christie Mahaffey (Foundation), Abe Furth (Orono Brewing), and Dan...

NRCM supports LD 640. This bill would require the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to pursue an independent investigation of Central Maine Power’s claims that its proposed power line would reduce greenhouse gas emissions. On March 15, 2019, NRCM’s Staff Scientist, Nick Bennett, delivered testimony in support of the bill in front of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. Th...

The Maine Land Conservation Task Force recently released a report with recommendations to guide the future of land conservation in Maine. The group recommended a $95 million investment in bond funding to support the Land for Maine’s Future program and address the maintenance backlog in Maine’s State Parks. In Part Three of this three-part series, hear from Representative Pat Corey (R-Windham), who...

The Maine Land Conservation Task Force recently released a report with recommendations to guide the future of land conservation in Maine. The group recommended a $95 million investment in bond funding to support the Land for Maine’s Future program and address the maintenance backlog in Maine’s State Parks. In Part Two of this three-part series, hear from Maine Senator Cathy Breen (D-Cumberland), w...

The Maine Land Conservation Task Force recently released a report with recommendations to guide the future of land conservation in Maine. The group recommended a $95 million investment in bond funding to support the Land for Maine’s Future program and address the maintenance backlog in Maine’s State Parks. In Part One of this three-part series, hear from Tim Glidden, President of Maine Coast Herit...

Have you ever wondered what actually goes on at Maine’s State House? NRCM’s Advocacy Director, Pete Didisheim, has over two decades of experience working at the Capitol to advocate for policies to protect Maine’s environment. In this episode, our host, Carly Peruccio, joins Pete for a visit to the State House. Pete deconstructs how the legislative process works and how citizens can shape state pol...

Central Maine Power wants to build a transmission line through Maine’s treasured North Woods. In this episode we’ll tell you why it’s bad for Maine’s environment and people. NRCM’s Clean Energy Staff Attorney Sue Ely walks you through our concerns, shares updates about the review process, and lets you know how to get involved.

2019 is a big year for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. This is our 60th anniversary! In this episode, NRCM CEO Lisa Pohlmann looks back on NRCM's key achievements from 60 years of advocacy, reflects on Augusta's current political climate, and shares her long-term goals for NRCM. Enjoy!

Hear from Natural Resources Council of Maine staff members who have participated in our annual Polar Bear Dip & Dash over the past 10 years to find out why they do it, why they think YOU should do it, and hear their advice and memorable moments from past dips. You don't want to miss this event on New Year's Eve Day in Portland, Maine.

After 28 years of outstanding service, NRCM’s media guru Judy Berk retires this week. She sat down with our podcast host Carly Peruccio to talk about her work and to share some memorable experiences during her time at the Natural Resources Council of Maine. Thank you, Judy, for all of you have done to protect the nature of Maine.

With Maine’s new legislators being sworn in tomorrow, our new podcast episode breaks down November’s election results and what they mean for the year ahead. You’ll also hear our take on what to watch for in the coming weeks as we transition to the 129th Legislature and a new governor. (Here’s a teaser from our Senior Director of Advocacy Pete Didisheim: “This is one of the most favorable landscape...

Hear from Natural Resources Council of Maine Advocacy Director Pete Didisheim as he discusses the results of this year's Maine legislative session. Hear about bills related to solar energy, food waste, clean air, sustainability, and more.

Nate Gray of the Maine Department of Marine Resources describes the largest alewife run in the United States, happening right now at Benton Falls in Central Maine. NRCM Senior Director of Advocacy Pete Didisheim shares the story of the removal of the Edwards Dam on the Kennebec River and how this work of the Natural Resources Council of Maine and others in the Kennebec Coalition helped begin resto...

Shining the Light on Maine Solar Legislation by Natural Resources Council of Maine

Find out the latest in Maine environmental news from the Natural Resources Council of Maine.