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Foot and Paddle: Little Jackson

DAILY BULLDOG • October 4, 2026

Little Jackson, one of my year-round favorites among the Western Mountains of Maine, rises north of Webb Lake and the town of Weld, in the unorganized territory of Township 6 North of Weld. Mainstays of the Tumbledown-Jackson Range, Little Jackson ( 3445’) and its nearby twin, Big Jackson (3555’), are the two highest peaks in the Weld Region. The Jacksons tend to be less frequently visited than the very popular Tumbledown Mountain, with its iconic Tumbledown Pond; prominent Mt. Blue with its observation tower; and bare-summited Bald Mountain, south of Weld. I hope to see you on trail! ~ Doug Dunlap

Nature-Based Inspired Playground Brings Learning Outdoors

DAILY BULLDOG • October 4, 2026

A new nature-based playground at the Foster Career Technical Education Center in Farmington is giving children from birth to age five a unique place to learn, explore and play while providing Early Childhood students with hands-on experience in their future profession. “We wanted to create an environment where children could use their imagination, make choices and learn through hands-on experiences with nature- no matter their age or ability,” said Sara Spear, Early Childhood Education and Teaching Instructor. “At the same time, our CTE students get to see firsthand how the environment can support children’s development.”

Column: It took me 9 years to finally find this remote Maine trail

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • October 4, 2026

Lobster Lake is situated in the wild, wooded country east of Moosehead Lake and south of the Golden Road. The name lobster isn’t one you’d normally associate with the northern Maine woods. But owing to a fluke of topography, the lake happens to be shaped like a lobster claw. A two-mile trail leads from Jackson Cove to a lookout at roughly the 2,000-foot contour on Lobster Mountain. The hike is just three in the entire Maine Mountain Guide that are accessible only by water. The trail winds gradually over the northern slope, and in just over an hour, we’ve reached the main outlook and a nice bench. My GPS reads 1.5 miles. The view over Lobster Lake is grand: wild, forested country as far as the eye can see. We step down to look around the corner and are greeted with a huge look at mighty Katahdin and many of its high neighbors. ~ Carey Kish

World Animal Day, October 4

MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS • October 4, 2026

World Animal Day unites the animal welfare movement, mobilising it into a global force to make the world a better place for all animals.

Maine Forest Service report highlights effectiveness of forestry practices that protect water quality

EIN PRESSWIRE • October 3,2026

A new Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Maine Forest Service (MFS) report underscores the effectiveness of environmentally friendly practices during timber harvesting. Released Oct. 1, the "Maine Forestry Best Management Practices Use and Effectiveness Data Summary" draws on hundreds of observations at timber harvesting sites across Maine. This MFS study shows how forestry and timber industry professionals use recommended practices statewide. It also demonstrates that the risk to waterbodies greatly increases when they are improperly applied.

Letter: Keep trails accessible

ELLSWORTH AMERICAN • October 3, 2026

Is it possible when establishing or maintaining hiking trails, to consider placing some basic benches along the paths specifically for the purpose of intermittent recovery and pacing? As one of over 300,000 seniors in the state of Maine, speaking from the perspectives of retirement from the field of physical therapy and from trail building as a volunteer, something as simple as a sturdy bench along the hike might keep accessible for many, the thousands of beautiful trails in our state. ~ Deb Jarosz, Franklin

Column: AMC adds the Whitecap Highlands to Maine Woods Initiative

CENTRAL MAINE • October 3, 2026

The Alpine-like summit of 3,650-foot White Cap in the heart of the 100-Mile Wilderness affords one of the finest mountaintop vistas in all of Maine. To the north stands mile-high Katahdin and its neighbors in Baxter State Park. Looking south, the grand view includes the rest of the White Cap Range, the Barren-Chairback Range, Big Moose Mountain and so much more. Much of the land around the White Cap Range has been preserved by the Appalachian Mountain Club over the last two decades or so, to the tune of 130,000 acres. AMC now has its sights set on the Whitecap Highlands Forest. This 29,500-acre tract is a mix of fragile high-elevation terrain and cold-water stream habitat for Atlantic salmon and native brook trout. ~ Carey Kish

Sue Ely hired as NRCM Senior Director of Advocacy

NATURAL RESOURCES COUNCIL OF MAINE • October 3, 2026

Sue Ely will soon be joining NRCM as Senior Director of Advocacy, succeeding Pete Didisheim as he begins a well-earned retirement after three decades of leadership for Maine's environment. Ely previously served on NRCM's advocacy team as an attorney and policy expert and has spent the past several years serving as an attorney with the U.S. Department of the Interior. Throughout her career, she's earned a reputation as a thoughtful strategist, skilled lawyer, and collaborative leader who knows how to bring people together to tackle complex challenges.

Eastport files motion to intervene in underwater data center case

MAINE MONITOR • October 2, 2026

The City of Eastport registered a formal motion to intervene with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Tuesday in an attempt to block a controversial subsea artificial intelligence data center proposal, DeepGreen Western Passage SPV. The councilors, who also sent an accompanying statement to FERC that was posted a day later, joined a growing list of residents and organizations fighting the project, including the nonprofit research group the Center for Biodiversity, by registering official concern over the DeepGreen Western Passage application for 48-month preliminary permit, which was accepted for filing by the agency in August.

Here’s why some southern Maine towns haven’t considered pausing data centers — yet

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 2, 2026

Brunswick, Bangor, Westbrook, Gorham, Gray, Sanford, Scarborough and Saco have approved temporary moratoriums on data center developments since May, intended to give them time to address concerns about the facilities and potentially adjust their zoning ordinances accordingly. Other municipalities, including North Berwick, Buxton and Wells, are set to let voters decide on either moratoriums or outright bans, with more southern Maine communities in the early phases of considering halts. On the other hand, some towns, including Yarmouth, have not taken action regarding data centers and are taking a “wait-and-see” approach.

Certain algal bloom bacteria not as toxic as previously thought

MAINE PUBLIC • October 2, 2026

A certain type of algal bloom on Maine lakes may be less harmful than previously thought according to a study from Bigelow Labs and others. Climate change and environmental degradation have led to a rise in algal blooms in Maine lakes in recent years. Toxic cyanobacteria bacterium can cloud clear water and interfere with swimming, fishing and other recreational activities. But one variety of cyanobacteria may not be toxic to humans, as originally thought. Gloeotrichia echinulata tends to bloom in clear lakes, forming thick mats of visible green or white puff balls in otherwise clean water. "There have been reports that this is producing toxin, but now through this new way of looking at it through the genetic lens, we are not seeing any way that these could be producing things like microcystin," said Bigelow Labs research scientist Robin Sleith. Microcystin is known to be harmful to the liver.

5 large whales found entangled off the Maine coast in 2025

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 2, 2026

Five large whales were found entangled in heavy ocean ropes off the coast of Maine last year, but new federal data carries a vital silver lining for the state’s multimillion-dollar lobster fleet: not a single one was a North Atlantic right whale. Rescue teams and aerial surveyors documented three humpback whales, one fin whale, and one minke whale caught in ropes off Maine’s coast in 2025. The complete absence of right whales in Maine gear last year arrives at a high-stakes moment for coastal communities. North Atlantic right whales are critically endangered. Because the dwindling species teeters near extinction, federal regulators have spent years imposing strict rules on how Maine lobstermen set their gear.

Kristi Noem posts from a Maine moose hunt

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • October 2, 2026

Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted photos to Facebook on Thursday from a successful moose hunt in Maine. Noem was accompanying her daughter Kassidy Noem Peters, who bagged a bull and described the outing on Instagram as a “once in a lifetime moose hunt.” “After the hunt, we explored the surrounding conservation areas, habitat and Amish community,” wrote Kristi Noem, who now serves as special envoy for the Shield of the Americas. A photo showed a sign marking the “Donald J. Trump Jr. Rifle Range.” The president’s son and his company bought 3,900 acres in Crystal and Island Falls in 2024. (Ed: Shield of the Americas is coordinating measures directed at 24 organizations designated by the U.S. as foreign terrorist organizations.]

Letter: Further research needed on offshore wind in Maine

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • October 2, 2026

Previous to the Trump administration holding offshore wind hostage, Maine announced plans to develop an offshore wind manufacturing, assembling and launching facility on Sears Island. Those plans failed to adequately consider a number of other, viable options and failed to generate sufficient funding. Maine needs to consider the least environmentally damaging and most economically beneficial offshore wind development strategy. Climate change poses a clear and present threat to Maine’s future. Clean, renewable energy production helps reduce climate change impacts. Prudence points to further research now into whether offshore wind can be part of Maine’s adaptation. ~ Stephen Miller, Islesboro

Learn about e-bikes at Westbrook’s BikeFest

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 2, 2026

Whether you’ve never ridden a bike or you’re an expert cyclist, prefer road or mountain bikes, bike as your mode of transportation or just do it for fun, Westbrook’s BikeFest is for everyone who wants to learn more about biking. The annual festival is returning to Rock Row from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday to increase awareness and involvement in bike culture. This year’s festival features an educational forum on e-bikes, hosted by Vision Zero Maine, a citizen-led group of Mainers committed to creating safe streets. Industry experts, law enforcement and elected officials will speak about the difference between e-bikes and e-motos and how each should be used. 

Maine’s next governor will walk a tightrope between energy affordability and climate action

MAINE MONITOR • October 2, 2026

All three candidates running for governor agree that energy affordability is a priority. And all acknowledge the reality of climate change. But they disagree on whether these problems can be tackled together. Democrat Hannah Pingree and independent Rick Bennett think energy affordability and climate action can go hand in hand. Pingree said she would continue the work of the Maine Climate Council, which created a plan to meet clean energy and greenhouse gas emissions goals set by the state Legislature. Bennett said he also supports transitioning the state to clean energy. Republican Bobby Charles said that the state government should focus squarely on affordability, and embrace both renewable energy and fossil fuels, including supporting new natural gas pipelines.

Maine OK’d solar panels for balconies. Safety guidelines haven’t caught up.

MAINE MORNING STAR • October 2, 2026

Over the past year and a half, a dozen states, including Maine, have embraced a new vision for solar power: small, cheap panels that can be hung from a balcony or porch, be plugged into a standard wall outlet and take a dent out of residents’ utility bills. These systems, known as balcony solar or plug-in solar, are attractive because they can be installed without permits, contractors or large investments. They can allow renters to tap into clean electricity.  Lawmakers say the systems can help at a time when residents’ power bills are skyrocketing and utilities are struggling to keep pace with demand. But for most Americans the systems still sit in a legal gray area. That’s because the “plug and play” simplicity that creates balcony solar’s appeal might not yet work safely with most household electrical systems, experts and utilities say.

Here’s how experts map Maine’s drought — and how you can help

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 2, 2026

if you want to help inform those responsible for analyzing drought conditions across Maine and the country, all you need is your own observations. It doesn’t take a scientist to tell you that your lawn is turning brown, the pond you frequent is low, or your well is drying up. In fact, that’s where you’re the expert. During a drought, one can’t help but feel a little helpless. It’s not like we can make it rain. But you can help, because the public’s input is taken into account when the weekly U.S. Drought Monitor maps are put together. The maps and data are used to analyze drought impacts, and federal agencies consider them when they weigh whether to declare drought-related disasters.

Column: Shouldn’t it be easier to get to Canada from here?

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 2, 2026

Driving three hours to Bar Harbor to get on the CAT ferry for even longer has never tempted me, but the idea of traveling 10 minutes to go spend the night in a casino and wake up in Nova Scotia? Pretty appealing. Reading more about what the Scotia Prince is considering, however, tamped my enthusiasm. The nearly $1,000 one-way price tag (for two people, a car and a cabin) feels like a lot for a trip that, at 11 hours long, is no quicker than it would be by car at a fraction of the cost, regardless of dreaded gas prices. Being able to pass the time sleeping or playing blackjack doesn’t seem like enough of a selling point. ~ Leslie Bridgers