We have lots of updates from a busy session in the Maine Legislature! Let's dive right in after some notices on a few upcoming events: This Thursday, May 18, is Conservation Lobby Day in Augusta. Members and supporters from conservation organizations across the state will join in Augusta to …
News
New Nature Trail Improvements at Scarborough Marsh
A couple heading out on the Nature Trail at Scarborough Marsh the other day was delighted to read about the marsh and some of the inhabitants on an interpretive sign they came across at the trailhead. Little did they know, they were the very first people to see the new sign installed! Frequent …
Bringing Nature Home with Sochan, a native plant superfood
At Maine Audubon we’ve decided it’s time to shine for Rudbeckia laciniata (pictured above; photo by Arthur Haines) which we have named as our 2023 plant of the year! Commonly known as Cutleaf Coneflower, or Sochan, this incredible edible is native to much of the United States, having strong ties to …
Warbler Walks at Evergreen Cemetery – Week 1
Each spring, Maine Audubon offers free bird walks ("warbler walks") at Evergreen Cemetery in Portland, and we've just completed our first of two weeks there. The quick summary is that this week was incredible! Of the nine years I've been leading these walks, the last three days (10-12 May) have …
Broad Support Demonstrated for Bill to Close Loophole in Lead Fishing Tackle Laws
On May 8, advocates gathered to testify at a public hearing before Maine State Legislature’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee in support of LD 958, a bill to update existing law to phase out the sale and use of small-sized painted lead jigs to more comprehensively address lead-caused …
Update: Offshore Wind in the Gulf of Maine – May 2023
As momentum toward offshore wind development in the Gulf of Maine ramps up, Maine Audubon strives to understand its impacts on wildlife and habitat, and is actively working to support development that avoids or minimizes those impacts and that propels Maine towards its clean, renewable energy …
Bangor students see things from a salmon’s eye view
Through recent outdoor learning and hands-on activities, students at the Fairmount School in Bangor are deepening their understanding of watersheds thanks to Maine Audubon’s “River in my Backyard” after-school program. The school was recently presented with their very own salmon story “walk,” 12 …
Backyard Bird of the Month for May: Northern Parula
The Northern Parula has a peculiar name for a warbler, and an even more peculiar story. Many warblers, including the Northern Parula, are referred to as parulas and parulines in Spanish and French, respectively. Parula derives from the Latin parus, for Eurasian tit species (similar to our chickadees …
Introducing the “Bringing Nature Home” Plant of the Year
This year we're starting a "plant of the year" feature where we select one special Maine native plant to highlight for our season. We're pleased to introduce Maine Audubon's debut “Bringing Nature Home” Plant of the Year, Rudbeckia Laciniata. Also known as Cutleaf Coneflower, it is a stunning …