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 to share with you.
A slate of new representatives and new committee assignments in Augusta means it’s crucial for Maine Audubon members and supporters to make their voices heard in support of the environment. Please sign up here to ensure that your voice is heard. We previewed this legislation on Valentine’s Day 2025, feel free to watch the recording below.
PRIORITY BILLS FOR THE FIRST SESSION OF THE 132ND MAINE LEGISLATURE
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EXPANDING PROTECTIONS FOR VERNAL POOLS
Vernal pools provide important breeding habitat for select amphibians and insects, spiders, and crustaceans, but are threatened by development. We’re working on legislation to establish a 100 ft. no-development zone around state-recognized Significant Vernal Pools and close an existing loophole that allows development to encircle vernal pools in some instances.
“ROUNDING UP” FOR WILDLIFE
Finding equitable sources of funding for conservation is an ongoing challenge, but Maine Audubon is working on an innovative solution. “Point of sale” donation systems are becoming ubiquitous, giving customers the option to “round up” purchase totals to the nearest dollar and donate the difference to charity. If passed, this legislation would permit rounded-up funds to go towards state conservation efforts.
FUNDING STREAM SMART
For more than a decade, the Stream Smart program founded by Maine Audubon and partners has helped to both restore streamside wildlife habitat and improve the resilience of our infrastructure. Towns across Maine have replaced undersized or decaying culverts with larger crossings that permit wildlife and water to move safely underneath. The importance of stream smart culverts was made all the more apparent after winter storms in 2024, but needs funding to continue to meet Maine’s needs.
BOLSTERING “GREEN SCHOOLS”
Improving the quality and availability of environmental education is crucial for a sustainable future. Maine Audubon supports a new bill to establish a Maine Green Schools Network to collaborate with other state agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations that support environmental, outdoor and climate learning programs, traditional ecological knowledge, and similar opportunities.
EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE OPEN SPACE TAX CREDIT
Maine’s Open Space Tax Law helps protect habitat by valuing land with benefits to the public as open space rather than valuing it for its potential highest and best use. New legislation would refresh a program to better support private landowners and better conserve a more complex set of open space values.
CURBING ARTIFICIAL LIGHT POLLUTION
Last year Maine Audubon helped support the implementation of new state rules for exterior lighting in areas under the jurisdiction of the Land Use Planning Commission, but now we’d like to take those standards statewide. Limiting artificial light pollution benefits migratory birds and other wildlife, and this bill would require public buildings to comply with new standards when replacing lights or when designing new buildings.
PROTECTING THE LAST OF OUR OLD GROWTH FORESTS
Just 3% of Maine’s North Woods can be considered “old-growth,” and new mapping initiatives have allowed us to locate these stands with better accuracy than ever. The next step is to ensure their protection, and we’re supporting legislation to do just that, along with other conservation improvements in the North Woods.
FUNDING LAND FOR MAINE’S FUTURE
Land for Maine’s Future is our most successful and popular land conservation program, and has helped conserve more than 600,000 acres spanning all 16 counties. As efforts to establish a long-term, secure funding mechanism for the program are ongoing, funding the program in the interim is essential, as the fund is practically empty and we cannot meet our state’s conservation goals without this program.
We are grateful for your support of Maine Audubon, including our work to forward strong environmental policy. Stay tuned for more updates and sign up for our Action Alerts to join your wildlife community’s state advocacy work!
