We’re continuing our series on Central Maine Power’s proposed New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) transmission line project focusing on the potential impacts to Maine wildlife. Maine Audubon feels strongly that NECEC and its mitigation plan offer unsatisfactory protections for Maine wildlife and is especially deficient in its consideration of habitat fragmentation. (Read Part I […]
Policy & Advocacy
New England Clean Energy Connect and the Impacts of Forest Fragmentation
New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) is a transmission line proposed to bring electricity from hydro facilities in Quebec to consumers in Massachusetts. In the proposed path of construction for the transmission line lies a 53-mile stretch of undeveloped Maine woods between the Canadian border and The Forks. Construction of NECEC would carve a 150-foot-wide […]
Action Alert: Tell Your Legislators to Support Land for Maine’s Future!
Big news this week from Maine’s diverse, bipartisan Land Conservation Task Force: they’ve recommended $75 million bond issue for the Land for Maine’s Future program and another $20 million for State Parks! Maine Audubon has been a strong supporter of the Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) program since its inception in 1987, and we’re not […]
Maine Audubon Testifies in Support of Strengthening the Maine Endangered Species Act
Maine Audubon staff were hard at work in the state legislature today working to protect Maine wildlife. In addition to testifying on a bill that would clarify Maine’s state bird, a bill that would increase funding for invasive aquatic species prevention and protection, and a bill that seeks to lessen the number of soft plastic […]
Support a Strong Maine Endangered Species Act
In 1973, President Nixon signed the Endangered Species Act (ESA), establishing landmark legislation to protect the most vulnerable wildlife populations across the country. Two years later, the state of Maine passed its own Endangered Species Act to provide complementary protection and ensure the conservation of species in danger of going extinct within the state. Together, […]
The Fight Against Plastic Pollution
A Double-crested Cormorant swims through a long strand of discarded fishing line in Casco Bay, and becomes ensnared. The line wraps tightly around the bird’s legs and trails behind it in the water, making it difficult for the bird to chase fish underwater and causing it to go hungry. A pair of Gray Catbirds look […]
Maine Audubon Testifies in Support of Net Metering for Solar Projects
Maine Audubon is excited to begin work in the Maine Legislature supporting bills that will support investments in renewable energy and reduce climate change-causing emissions. On Tuesday, January 29 2019, Maine Audubon shared testimony in support of the first of those bills: LD 91, An Act to Eliminate Gross Metering. Maine Audubon advocated Eliza Donoghue […]
Legislative Preview: First Session of the 129th Maine Legislature
It’s an exciting time in Augusta. A new administration and new legislature means new opportunity. For the first time, Maine is being led by a Governor who campaigned on tackling climate change. We are committed to seizing this moment with bold action, promoting legislative and administrative actions to combat the greatest threat to Maine’s wildlife […]
We Spoke Up Today to Protect the Maine Woods
Today, Maine Audubon stood with over 25 individuals and organizations before the Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC, Commission) in Brewer to express our deep concern about their proposed rules that would dramatically change how new development is located in Maine’s unorganized territories — better known as Maine’s North Woods. We heard from residents of Forest […]