On May 18, 2022, Maine Audubon joined partners from the conservation, labor, and business communities for a press conference in Portland in support of offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine.� The group gathered to urge state and federal governments to work quickly and responsibly in furthering locally-produced clean energy, just a day before the […]
Policy & Advocacy
Recapping an Exciting and Important Legislative Session
The 130th Maine Legislature has nearly completed the work of their second session, with many conservation wins to show for it. From expanding biodiversity protection on public lands, to limiting sprawl across the state, to reducing conflict between boats and wildlife, meaningful environmental policy development was a priority this session for Maine lawmakers. We achieved […]
Advocate for Wildlife in Maine’s Offshore Wind Roadmap
Maine�s Offshore Wind Roadmap is part of a state initiative to guide the development of offshore wind, led by an expert advisory committee and� working groups, including Maine Audubon staff. The Roadmap focuses on a variety of topics related to the development of offshore wind, including energy markets, ports and infrastructure, socioeconomic impacts, equity, manufacturing […]
New Law Will Expand Maine’s Ecological Reserve System
March 31, 2022 (Augusta, ME) � A bill that will expand Maine�s network of ecological reserves to protect more habitat for the state�s rich array of plants, animals, and other species was signed into law by Governor Janet Mills on Tuesday March 29, 2022. State-owned ecological reserves cover less than 1% of the state, yet […]
Help Us Protect Birds! Volunteers Needed to Monitor Bird/Building Collisions
It’s estimated that one million birds die�per day�around the country after colliding with glass windows.�We need your help understanding this problem so we can craft and implement solutions. We are looking for volunteers this spring migration to join us on the early-morning streets of Portland to look for birds that have struck buildings to help […]
New Bill to Protect Water Quality in the Presumpscot (and Beyond)
Fifty years after the passage of the Clean Water Act, our fight to protect clean water in Maine continues. There was a public hearing on February 28 on LD 1964, a bill to reclassify certain waterways in Maine to reflect their improved status. This happens every three years, when the Maine Department of Environmental Protection […]
Encouraging Climate Education in Maine Public Schools
Maine�s climate is changing rapidly, and our best chance to mitigate or prevent harm in the future is to act decisively now. That means reducing greenhouse gases, transitioning to a clean energy climate, and preparing our children for the future. A bill moving forward in the legislature, LD 1902, would address the latter point and […]
Priority Legislation: Improving Maine’s Ecological Reserve System
Among our priority legislation for the second session of Maine’s 130th legislature is LD 736, An Act To Enhance the Ecological Reserve System. As Maine faces growing threats from irresponsible development, pollution, and climate change, it is more important than ever to protect rare, threatened, and endangered species and ensure ecosystems remain intact. Maine�s ecological […]
Priority Legislation: Encouraging Climate Change Education in Public Schools
One of Maine Audubon’s priority bills during this, the second session of the 130th state legislature, is LD 1902: Resolve, To Establish a Pilot Program To Encourage Climate Education in Maine Public Schools. Supported by a strong coalition of local nature-based education organizations and youth activists, LD 1902 would give teachers the tools they need […]