While we often focus on our Piping Plover friends, another endangered species we protect is Least Terns. Least Terns are small seabirds listed as endangered in Maine; they were the first species listed under Maine’s own Endangered Species Act. Least Terns and their more abundant cousins, Common Tern, can often be seen flying gracefully over […]
Policy & Advocacy
Maine Audubon in Augusta: Your 2024 Legislative Summary
The second and final session of the 131st Maine Legislature wrapped up earlier this month and it was nothing short of a whirlwind! Thanks to you, Maine Audubon continued to make great strides to conserve wildlife and habitat in this short legislative session, and we wanted to summarize our efforts with you. The First Session […]
BirdSafe Maine Announces Winners of Inaugural Bird Safe Awards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 28, 2024 MAINE AUDUBON media@maineaudubon.org BirdSafe Maine Announces Winners of Inaugural Bird Safe Awards BirdSafe Maine–a partnership between Maine Audubon, the University of Southern Maine, and the Portland Society for Architecture–honors companies, schools, and individuals working to protect birds from window strikes FALMOUTH, ME — As many as 988 million birds […]
Maine Audubon Urges Federal Regulators to Remove Kennebec Dams
The story of America’s movement to restore wildlife habitat by removing unnecessary and underperforming dams began, in part, on the Kennebec River. In 1999, advocates from across Maine came together to celebrate the removal of the Edwards Dam near Augusta and the restoration of 18 miles of fish habitat not accessible since 1837. The movement […]
Marking Maine Arbor Week 2024
Maine Audubon is once again joining other lovers and conservators of Maine’s forests and flora to honor Maine Arbor Week, celebrated this year from May 19 to 25. It serves to remind us of the ecological, cultural, and economic importance of flora, particularly our hundreds of native tree species. In 1978, the Maine legislature designated […]
The Piping Plovers’ Favorite Habitat
By Erin Campbell, Coastal Birds Biologist The Coastal Birds Crew is about to head into its fourth week of the season! Not only have we learned how to spot the Piping Plovers, but also track and complete the ultimate egg hunt. That’s right! Nests are back on Maine’s southern beaches. While some plovers are still […]
Day One with the 2024 Coastal Birds Crew
Hello there from the 2024 Coastal Birds Crew! The season is off to a busy start and everyone on the crew has been excited to dive right into work — protecting our rare beach-nesting birds. On our first day on the beaches, we headed down to Ogunquit Beach and fenced along the entire dune edge. […]
Maine Legislature Passes Suite of Bills to Protect Maine�s Lakes
The Maine Legislature this week finalized a set of bills intended to protect and enhance water quality on freshwater lakes and ponds. The bills, each passing with bipartisan support, tackle a variety of emerging freshwater issues, including aquatic invasive species, shoreland zoning, and wake boats. “Our freshwater lakes and ponds are a core part of […]
Will storm damage to dunes affect plover nesting season?
A question we have been getting a lot with the heavy storms pummeling Maine�s coastlines this winter: How will the Piping Plovers manage the upcoming nesting season with the beaches so damaged? What a great question! Finally, fellow plover biologist Laura Williams and I were able to get away from our desks March 12 and […]