The most comprehensive online source of conservation news and events in Maine and beyond, edited by Jym St. Pierre
MAINE PUBLIC • November 8, 2024
Fire danger is high for about half the state of Maine due to unusually dry and windy conditions. With no significant precipitation expected in the coming days, the danger is expected to stay high throughout the weekend except in northernmost Maine where the threat is low. Kent Nelson, a Forest Ranger Specialist with the Maine Forest Service, recommends that people limit all outdoor burning, even if the state is yet to fall under a total burn ban.
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • November 8, 2024
In my last column, I made my annual plea, channeling my inner Lorax, for readers to consider prioritizing wildlife during their backyard winter preparation. The simplified request is to “leave the leaves” as this provides critical wintering habitat for wildlife. Often, when we make suggestions like “leave the leaves” or do “No Mow May” there is pushback: people love their non-native flowers, they like the look of a grass lawn, etc. It is important to acknowledge here that this isn’t an all-or-nothing kind of thing; do what you can, as every little bit helps. ~ Maine Audubon Staff Naturalist Doug Hitchcox
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • November 8, 2024
I’m going to share a little secret on how to accurately predict peak rut every year. It never changes from one year to the next. There’s a good reason for that, especially in northern deer. Selective pressure pushes peak breeding into a relatively narrow window of time. If fawns are conceived too early in the fall and subsequently born too early in spring, there won’t be enough food available for nursing mothers; too late and they won’t have time to grow big enough to survive their first winter. Nature continually tests the limits and that produces exceptions over the long term, but fawns conceived closest to the peak period have the best chance for survival. So when will the rut occur this year? The same time it did last year, and the year before, and the year before that. ~ Bob Humphrey
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • November 8, 2024
It took me a long time to add a hoary redpoll to my life list. Now, it’s no longer considered a separate species. In July, the American Ornithological Society decided it’s just a frostier version of the common redpoll. I feared this day would come. If only 9-year-old me had known bird listing would get so complicated, I might have taken up stamp-collecting. ~ Bob Duchesne
TIMES RECORD • November 7, 2024
The Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority launched its search for a new executive director this week, nearly a month after its former director resigned in the wake of a disastrous chemical spill that the entity is on the hook for. The MRRA Board of Trustees announced Thursday it was seeking a new leader for the entity charged with redeveloping the former Brunswick Naval Air Station, now known as Brunswick Landing. The search comes nearly three months after an airport hangar that MRRA operates spilled 1,450 gallons of a toxic firefighting foam concentrate mixed with 50,000 gallons of water. The aftermath has entailed a massive remediation effort as well as public outrage and concern for MRRA’s handling of its response to the spill.
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • November 7, 2024
Acadia National Park just had its busiest October ever. The National Park Service estimates Acadia had 567,466 visits last month. That was 10,000 more visits than the park had during October in 2021, which was its busiest year on record with just over 4 million total visits across all months. Last month also included the busiest day ever in the park — regardless of time of year — when 3,636 vehicles drove through the Sand Beach entrance station on Oct. 13, the Sunday of Indigenous People’s Day weekend.
MAINE PUBLIC • November 7, 2024
Projects that use biodegradable materials to stabilize coastal shorelines may receive automatic approval under a new rule proposed by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. The agency reported a surge of applications to control and repair erosion caused by powerful winter storms this year. Shoreline stabilization projects currently have to go through individual review by department staff. But under the proposed regulation, such installations could be approved through permit by rule. Instead of applying, landowners could submit a form for their project that confirms it is eligible and meets the program standards. It's a way to streamline the permitting process as the state expects more coastal damage from storms driven by climate change. It will also encourage using wood, native plants, natural fibers and other "nature-based" techniques to manage erosion.
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • November 7, 2024
Many people believe that electric vehicles should help create a more green and economically gentle environment. I disagree. EV production causes a shockingly high amount of pollution. There are other big issues. Some of the biggest polluting factors are agriculture and clothing. ~ Giuseppe Aulisa, Bangor
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • November 7, 2024
“Lost on a Mountain in Maine” is an amazing movie. The filmmakers let the story of 12-year-old Donn Fendler’s nine-day odyssey lost in the northern Maine woods tell itself. A key part of this survival story missing involves two BDN staffers named Eddie Baker and Wayne St. Germain. They drove to Grindstone, then hiked 7.5 miles to Lunksoos Camps, beating a doctor and officers to the scene by 20 minutes. Baker photographed the emaciated Fendler while St. Germain conducted a brief interview. In the meantime, BDN photographer Dan Maher drove to the area with a Wirephoto machine and transmitted Baker’s pictures via a telephone line to the newspaper in Bangor. The next morning’s edition, July 26, had the first photos and interview with the young Boy Scout. ~ Richard R. Shaw, Bangor
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • November 7, 2024
President-elect Donald Trump has promised to stop offshore wind development on day one. That will compound the challenges Maine faces. Two “October surprises” have cast serious doubt on Maine’s ability to reach our 2040 renewable energy goals. First, the federal Dept of Transportation rejected Maine’s application for $456 million to construct a massive Sears Island port facility to build platforms and assemble generators. Second, at the Oct. 29 auction of federal leases for Gulf of Maine wind development, there were no bids for areas off Maine’s coast. Investors are not optimistic about Maine’s prospects for commercially viable offshore wind any time soon. This gloomy assessment stands in contrast to statements from ClimateWork Maine and the Natural Resources Council of Maine. Fulfilling offshore wind’s promise calls for renewed determination, though it may take longer than we’d hoped. ~ David Vail, professor of economics emeritus, Bowdoin College
KENNEBEC JOURNAL • October 6, 2024
Central Maine set yet another heat-related record Wednesday, marking the third time in the past week a daily temperature record has been broken. Wednesday’s unofficial high temperature reached 76 degrees in Augusta and 73 degrees in Waterville, breaking the local record of 72 degrees, set in 2022. The area also broke records on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, easily surpassing high temperature records set in 1956 and 2003, respectively.
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • November 6, 2024
Former President Donald Trump is set to return to the White House for another four years, and his second term could feature immediate changes that affect Maine.
• Maine’s offshore wind plans could get thrown into disarray since Trump pledged to halt offshore wind projects “on day one” of a new term.
• Trump’s tariffs could hit Maine’s key industries, including lobsters and blueberries
• Maine’s senior senator, Susan Collins, is in line for a big role as chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee.
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • November 6, 2024
Maine cities broke multiple temperature records Wednesday. Temperatures in Portland reached 79 degrees. The city’s previous record of 71 degrees for Nov. 6 was set in 2020. In Augusta, temperatures hit 77 degrees, outpacing the record of 72 degrees in 2022. That region also broke records on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, surpassing temperature records set in 1956 and 2003, respectively. On top of daily records, both cities also saw the hottest days ever recorded in November on Wednesday.
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • November 6, 2024
Based on his campaign rhetoric and his first 4 years in office, a second Trump term is likely to have broad impacts in Maine. He’s unlikely to continue efforts to reduce greenhouse emissions, including rebates for electric cars or heat pumps, and instead has said he wants to increase domestic oil production by drilling on public lands and offering tax incentives and reducing regulations on oil, gas and coal producers. Trump also is unlikely to prioritize wind power, something Maine has been aggressive about.
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • November 6, 2024
State education officials today unveiled an outdoor learning space they say will make environmental education more accessible for schools across Maine. They say the Maine Outdoor Learning Pavilion on Mackworth Island in Falmouth is the latest addition to the Mill's administration's Outdoor Learning Initiative which is billed as a response to pandemic-related learning loss.
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • November 6, 2024
I am writing to express my deep concern and strong disapproval regarding the proposed construction of a wind turbine manufacturing port on Sears Island in Maine. As a resident of Stockton Springs, I believe that this plan poses significant risks to the unique ecological and cultural values of this protected area. The construction of a manufacturing port would undoubtedly increase traffic, pollution, and noise in an area that has long been valued for its tranquility and natural beauty. This would not only affect wildlife but also diminish the quality of life for residents and visitors who appreciate Sears Island for its recreational opportunities and serene environment. ~ Gentry Davis, Stockton Springs
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • November 6, 2024
Mainers voted Tuesday to pass a $30 million bond proposal that will go toward designing, developing and maintaining trail systems. Half of the money borrowed under the measure will go toward recreational trails, while the rest will be divided about evenly between motorized and non-motorized trails.
MAINE PUBLIC • November 6, 2024
Maine’s trails will get some much-needed attention through a $30 million borrowing package approved by voters. The Maine trails bond on Tuesday’s ballot garnered widespread support from environmental groups, towns, snowmobile and ATV clubs. The bond passed with more than 55% of the vote. Jenny Kordick of Maine Outdoor Brands said the outcome is a sign of how important recreation outside is to people who live in and visit Maine. The state’s outdoor recreation economy is valued at around $3 billion.
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • November 6, 2024
Mainers voted Tuesday to pass $10 million in borrowing aimed at restoring historic buildings owned by local governments and nonprofits. The money borrowed under the will go toward funding the preservation of certain buildings. Any state money approved for a project must be matched at least 25 percent by private or nonprofit funds. Maine voters have approved three historic preservation bonds since 1985. This year’s $10 million proposal is the largest of them.
THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY • November 6, 2024
Trump’s reelection is a crisis for conservation. We will prepare for the fights ahead to protect vital landscapes like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from his devastating, destructive attacks.
