Maine Environment With Nrcm

For many of us, the power of nature serves as an inspiration for art, poetry, and action. To recognize the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day and April as National Poetry Month, the Natural Resources Council of Maine created this special series of five podcasts featuring poems by Maine-based poets. In this poetry reading and conversation you’ll hear from poet, bookstore owner, book editor, publisher, and Bates College associate professor of literature Gary Lawless of Nobleboro, Maine. Gary Lawless is a poet, book editor, publisher, and co-owner of Gulf of Maine Books in Brunswick. He is an associate professor of literature at Bates College in Lewiston and has been poet-in-residence for the town of Sitka, Alaska, and for the National Park Service at Isle Royale National Park at Lake Superior. After graduating from Colby College in 1973, Lawless left Maine to spend a year in California studying with poet Gary Snyder. When Lawless returned to Maine, he brought the idea of the budding bioregional movement with him.

Legendary Maine journalist Bill Green was an anchor and reporter for more than four decades at News Center Maine, most recently hosting the popular weekly television series called "Bill Green’s Maine" before retiring in 2019. In this conversation with Bill we explore his love for Maine’s outdoors, why Maine is such a special place to live and explore, and learn about some of his favorite places to visit.

For many of us, the power of nature serves as an inspiration for art, poetry, and action. To recognize the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day and April as National Poetry Month, the Natural Resources Council of Maine created this special series of five podcasts featuring poems by Maine-based poets. In this poetry reading and conversation you’ll hear from award-winning poet, avid birder, and daily haiku writer Kirsten Lindquist of Camden, Maine. Kirsten Lindquist’s publications include the chapbook Invocation to the Birds (Oyster River Press, 2001); Transportation (Megunticook Press, 2011), which was a finalist for a Maine Literary Award; and Tourists in the Known World: New & Selected Poems (Megunticook Press, 2017). Her work has received various awards, including the Bread Loaf Poetry Prize, the Red Fox Poetry Prize, the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance's Penobscot Watershed Poetry Prize, and the Maine Postmark Poetry Contest. Garrison Keillor read three of her poems on National Public Radio’s The Writer’s A

For many of us, the power of nature serves as an inspiration for art, poetry, and action. To recognize the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day and April as National Poetry Month, the Natural Resources Council of Maine created this special series of five podcasts featuring poems by Maine-based poets. In this poetry reading and conversation you’ll hear from author and former Belfast, Maine, Poet Laureate Karin Spitfire of Belfast, Maine. Karin Spitfire is the author of a full-length book of poetry, "Standing with Trees," and a chapbook, "Wild Caught." Her poem, "What is to Be Offered," published in The Kerf, was nominated for the Pushcart Award. Spitfire is the author of "Incest: It’s All Relative," a performance/dance poem that toured nationally from 1982–86. She is a past Poet Laureate of Belfast, Maine.

For the past 14 years as NRCM’s Climate and Clean Energy Director Dylan Voorhees has quite literally been a voice on the frontlines of the most important climate and clean energy conversations at the Maine State House. Dylan’s moving on to a new and exciting professional opportunity, and in this episode of Frontline Voices, you’ll hear from him about the clean energy solutions he’s been part of and the lessons he’s learned from his decade plus of climate advocacy at NRCM. (Dylan will be a Senior Consultant at VEIC. The nonprofit is headquartered in Vermont but plans to work remotely from Augusta, demonstrating that working from home can sometimes be a choice, too!) A note: We’re posting this episode during an unprecedented time. NRCM hopes that you, your family, and your friends are safe and healthy. We really appreciate that you’re listening to this episode today.

On a cold day in February, the Maine Climate Council met for the second time as part of their work to hammer out a new statewide Climate Action Plan. Just down the hall, more than 100 Maine youth gathered to call on the state’s leaders to take bold climate action. Host Carly Peruccio spoke with some of those youth about their hopes for the future. Listen and get inspired!

From leaping sturgeon and huge returns of alewives in Maine’s rivers to solar wins and youth climate activism, NRCM Advocacy Director Pete Didisheim sits down with host Carly Peruccio to talk about some of the stories and successes from 2019 that gave us hope. As the year comes to an end, Pete also shares what these exciting developments mean for what we can expect in 2020. Happy New Year everyone!

Students at three Portland, Maine, high schools formed the coalition, SolaRise, and organized a march to build support for using solar to power Portland public schools. In August, 2019, the school board voted to support an off-site solar power project. SolaRise received a 2019 NRCM Conservation Leadership Award for their work. Three members of SolaRise speak about their work and share advice to others who want to get involved.

This conversation between former NRCM Executive Director Brownie Carson and Deputy Director Joan Welsh covers their time at NRCM and their transitions from NRCM to the Maine State House. After leaving NRCM, Joan served in the Maine House of Representatives, and Brownie is currently in his second term in the Maine Senate. Coincidentally, they’ve both served on the Joint Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources. Hear more in the latest “Maine Environment: Frontline Voices.”

This episode features George Smith, a writer, activist, conservationist, sportsman, and birder. You may know him from his column in the Kennebec Journal or as the former director of the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine (SAM). In our conversation with George, he shares his perspective on the future of wildlife and fisheries protection in Maine; his observations of the impacts of climate change on the North Woods and in his own backyard; and his memories from working in Maine politics for more than four decades. (photo courtesy of George Smith)

In our newest episode of Frontline Voices, NRCM Advocacy Director Pete Didisheim reflects on Maine’s 129th Legislative Session—and Maine’s environment was a big winner! Governor Janet Mills signed bills into law that will help reduce carbon emissions, support renewable energy development, maintain clean waters, and reduce plastic pollution in our state. It’s refreshing to report that we’re moving forward!

Maine is poised to take its most substantial action on climate change in over a decade by passing legislation that would update our state’s climate action plan for the first time since 2004. The legislation would also create Governor Janet Mills’ climate council. In this episode, you’ll hear our Democratic Governor Mills, the lead Republican sponsor of the bill, a lobsterman, and NRCM CEO Lisa Pohlmann testify at the State House about why this action matters and how it can benefit Maine. Lisa and NRCM Climate Outreach Coordinator Sophie Janeway offer reflections on the public hearing and the exciting progress Maine can make if we continue to move forward and the Legislature passes this legislation.

Great beer needs clean water, and NRCM is collaborating with breweries throughout the state to protect Maine’s waters through education and advocacy. In this episode, you’ll hear about our newly launched Maine Brewshed Alliance from NRCM Federal Outreach Coordinator, Kristin Jackson, and three brewers who are part of the alliance: Christie Mahaffey (Foundation), Abe Furth (Orono Brewing), and Dan Kleban (Maine Beer Company).

NRCM supports LD 640. This bill would require the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to pursue an independent investigation of Central Maine Power’s claims that its proposed power line would reduce greenhouse gas emissions. On March 15, 2019, NRCM’s Staff Scientist, Nick Bennett, delivered testimony in support of the bill in front of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. This episode features Nick’s testimony. (And here's a note from Nick: "At 22:00, I said Seabrook but actually meant Pilgrim. Thanks for understanding!")

The Maine Land Conservation Task Force recently released a report with recommendations to guide the future of land conservation in Maine. The group recommended a $95 million investment in bond funding to support the Land for Maine’s Future program and address the maintenance backlog in Maine’s State Parks. In Part Three of this three-part series, hear from Representative Pat Corey (R-Windham), who served as one of more than 100 co-sponsors of LD 911 to support LMF and Maine's State Parks.

The Maine Land Conservation Task Force recently released a report with recommendations to guide the future of land conservation in Maine. The group recommended a $95 million investment in bond funding to support the Land for Maine’s Future program and address the maintenance backlog in Maine’s State Parks. In Part Two of this three-part series, hear from Maine Senator Cathy Breen (D-Cumberland), who served on the Task Force and has introduced LD 911 to refund the LMF program and to support Maine's State Parks.

The Maine Land Conservation Task Force recently released a report with recommendations to guide the future of land conservation in Maine. The group recommended a $95 million investment in bond funding to support the Land for Maine’s Future program and address the maintenance backlog in Maine’s State Parks. In Part One of this three-part series, hear from Tim Glidden, President of Maine Coast Heritage Trust, who served as one of two co-chairs of the Task Force.

Have you ever wondered what actually goes on at Maine’s State House? NRCM’s Advocacy Director, Pete Didisheim, has over two decades of experience working at the Capitol to advocate for policies to protect Maine’s environment. In this episode, our host, Carly Peruccio, joins Pete for a visit to the State House. Pete deconstructs how the legislative process works and how citizens can shape state policies.

Central Maine Power wants to build a transmission line through Maine’s treasured North Woods. In this episode we’ll tell you why it’s bad for Maine’s environment and people. NRCM’s Clean Energy Staff Attorney Sue Ely walks you through our concerns, shares updates about the review process, and lets you know how to get involved.

2019 is a big year for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. This is our 60th anniversary! In this episode, NRCM CEO Lisa Pohlmann looks back on NRCM's key achievements from 60 years of advocacy, reflects on Augusta's current political climate, and shares her long-term goals for NRCM. Enjoy!