The Endangered Species Act is perhaps the most famous and effective wildlife conservation law in the nation, but the Trump Administration has recently proposed a change that would significantly weaken the Act and put species at risk. To understand the threat, it’s important to first understand how the Endangered Species Act works. Once a species […]
Wins for Wildlife: How We Worked to Site Wind Energy and Protect Wildlife in the Gulf of Maine
Offshore wind holds incredible potential to help meet the clean energy goals needed for a healthy climate. The Gulf of Maine, in particular, with its strong, sustained winds, is one of the best locations in the world to harness renewable wind energy. However, offshore wind development must be sited with care to avoid potential conflicts […]
Maine Audubon Advocates for Maine Wildlife in Congress
In early April, Maine Audubon’s Advocacy and Outreach Manager, Nick Lund, traveled to Washington to talk birds. A guest of the American Bird Conservancy, Nick joined state-based advocates from around the country to encourage Congressional leaders to support a variety of wildlife bills. Nick’s group included advocates from Connecticut Audubon and the Missouri River Bird […]
Previewing our Priority State Legislation for 2025
A new legislative session has begun in Augusta and our advocates are already in the State House working to advance protections for Maine wildlife and habitat. Our staff of advocates, scientists, and environmental educators has combed through hundreds of new bills submitted at the start of the 132nd Maine Legislature and selected our top priorities […]
State Sand Dune Restoration Fund Now Taking Applications!
Coastal sand dunes are one of the rarest habitats in Maine, making up just about 2% of the state’s coastline. Built over time by the actions of wind and waves, dunes and associated beaches and salt marshes provide invaluable ecosystem services and economic benefits. The importance of coastal dunes is increasing as climate change causes […]
Three Insects Added to Maine Species of Special Concern List – Have You Seen Them?
Maine’s Department of Inland Fish & Wildlife (DIFW) recently completed an update of its Species of Special Concern list, and added three rare and unusual insects known as flower flies. The state maintains a list of Species of Special Concern, which it defines as “any species of fish or wildlife that does not meet the […]
Maine Climate Action Plan 2.0 Released
After years of work from stakeholders across the state, including Maine Audubon’s Ania Wright, Ches Gundrum, and Sally Stockwell, the state’s updated landmark climate action plan, Maine Won’t Wait 2.0, has been released. The plan updates the original blueprint for statewide climate action, released in 2020, with new-and-improved strategies to help modernize Maine’s buildings, transition […]
Maine Audubon and the Next 50 Years of the Endangered Species Act
On Nov. 16, Maine Audubon’s Advocacy Team traveled to Harvard Law School as invitees to a conference called The Endangered Species Act: The Next 50 Years. The event was billed as a place to “bring together scholars, policymakers, and conservationists who will collaborate to assess lessons learned and propose innovative strategies for the next 50 […]
BirdSafe Maine – Fall 2024 Season Recap!
BirdSafe Maine‘s Fall 2024 migration season concluded on Oct. 31, our fifth fall on the streets. In that time we’ve made some amazing progress in that time—highlighted by a new bird safe architecture ordinance in Portland and a new law to create statewide guidelines—but this fall we enjoyed a very satisfying realization of the effectiveness […]