Biggest ever Skijor Skowhegan meshes Scandinavian sport with economic impact

KENNEBEC JOURNAL • February 22, 2025

Skijoring began in Scandinavia, usually with dogs or reindeer instead of horses, and the sport made its way to the U.S. as early as 1915. Maine is now a hub for the sport on the East Coast. Main Street Skowhegan, the town’s major economic development nonprofit, brought skijoring to Maine seven years ago at Eaton Mountain. The popularity of Skijor Skowhegan has skyrocketed. Thousands of spectators braved the cold and wind Saturday to watch the festivities, hovering right around record attendance.

Regulators move forward with compensation rules for solar on farmland

MAINE MONITOR • February 21, 2025

Maine environmental regulators moved one step closer on Thursday to implementing rules that would force solar developers to pay for impacts to high-value agricultural land. The Board of Environmental Protection, which is developing the rules in concert with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, voted to schedule a public hearing on the proposed rule and post it for public comment. A date for a public hearing has not yet been set. The substance of the rules, which include what counts as high-value agricultural land and defining compensation tiers, is being developed by DACF. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has been tasked with putting a dollar amount on the tiers once they are finalized and collecting the money, which will be set aside for mitigation or farmland conservation, similar to the way the state collects fees for impacts to wetlands. 

Volunteers keep Acadia’s carriage roads ready for skiers

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • February 22, 2025

About half a dozen regular volunteers help keep nine of Acadia National Park’s historic carriage roads groomed for cross-country skiers, allowing visitors to glide past Jordan Pond and Frenchman Bay, said Nikki Burtis, stewardship manager with Friends of Acadia. Now supported by Friends of Acadia, volunteers have been caring for the trails since the 1980s. Initially, they used homemade groomers — like cinderblocks and box springs towed behind snowmobiles — to flatten the snowpack, Burtis said. But these days, crews have access to a small fleet of snowmobiles and specialized equipment.

Maine Farmland Trust 2024 Annual Impact Report

MAINE FARMLAND TRUST • February 22, 2025

In 2024, we accomplished: 
1,720+ acres of farmland protected with agricultural conservation easements across 12 farms
885+ acres of Maine’s best agricultural soils protected
545 acres with an Option to Purchase at Agricultural Value across 5 farms
‍366 acres of farmland remained in agriculture through 6 links to new farmers
40+ farmland protection projects in process for 2025 and beyond

Drilling in National Parks? Trump's Environmental Gutting Continues

MSN • February 22, 2025

On the very first day of his presidency, Donald Trump made it clear that his administration would prioritize industrial development over environmental conservation. Through a series of executive orders, he dismantled existing climate and conservation policies that had been put in place to protect public lands. These orders primarily focused on opening up these lands for drilling and mining activities, which marked a significant shift from the previous administration's priorities. The swift actions taken on inauguration day were a harbinger of the administration's intent to reshape America's environmental landscape. Public lands that were once protected were suddenly at risk of being exploited for their natural resources. The executive orders sparked immediate concern among environmentalists who feared the long-term impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems.

National Parks cutting hours, limiting services as Trump layoffs reduce staffing

USA TODAY • February 22, 2025

National Parks across the country are cutting hours, cancelling tours, closing visitor centers and warning of other cutbacks following Trump administration cuts to the federal workforce. Advocates say the cuts will hurt park users: the American public. Interior Secretary "Doug Burgum is already leaving a path of destruction across America’s parks and public lands," said Aaron Weiss, the deputy director of a public lands advocacy group. "These terminations are foolish, heartless, and do nothing to make the government more efficient.” Ashley Korenblat, who runs a cycling business, said, "We've spent millions and millions and millions of dollars marketing America's National Parks to the world and now we're just throwing away that money."

Part of L.L.Bean flagship store torn down as part of $50M renovations

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • February 22, 2025

The $50 million makeover of L.L.Bean’s flagship store and campus accelerated this week with the demolition of an exterior portion of the building on Main Street in Freeport. The flagship store’s renovation is expected to provide a more accessible and immersive customer experience, including a new first-floor entrance and grand staircase and a larger indoor trout pond with multiple tiers and more viewpoints for better fish watching. The project is on track to be completed by fall 2026.

Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians acquires 1,327 acres

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 22, 2025

The land along the North Branch of the Meduxnekeag River in Monticello has been returned to the Maliseet people following a two-year combined effort by the tribe and several conservancy groups, First Light Learning Journey, The Nature Conservancy and the Conservation Fund. The acquisition of 1,327 acres abutting tribally owned Wilderness Pines Campground is part of a larger effort in Maine to restore access and ownership of tribal lands to the Wabanaki people.

Maine is at an impasse with towns that pass aquaculture restrictions

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 21, 2025

Towns up and down Maine’s coast have grappled for more than a decade with the changes that come with a growing aquaculture industry. In the last several years, some have gone further, considering local ordinances meant to restrict state-issued leases for large aquaculture projects in their waters. It has brought to the forefront tensions between traditional uses of Maine’s coast and the growth of aquaculture, an industry that has grown by about 2 percent annually for the last two decades and brings in more than $85 million in sales each year. It has also highlighted disagreements about which entity — the state or the municipality — has the authority over those uses, creating an ongoing impasse.

Community tree steward to offer orchard care workshops at Lewiston-Auburn schools

SUN JOURNAL • February 21, 2025

Community fruit orchards in the Twin Cities have a new caretaker and a promising spring ahead. Sean O’Connell, a community tree steward serving with Maine Conservation Corps, is set to lead free fruit tree care workshops and orchard maintenance days in Lewiston-Auburn schools. O’Connell plans to build an arboretum in one of the eight L-A orchards before he wraps up his term in November.

National Park Service restores some jobs, pledges to hire 7,700 seasonal workers

ASSOCIATED PRESS • February 21, 2025

The Trump administration is restoring jobs for dozens of National Park Service employees fired amid government-wide reductions and hiring nearly 3,000 additional seasonal workers, following an uproar over an aggressive plan to downsize the agency. Lawmakers and advocacy groups have criticized the widespread layoffs as unnecessary and a threat to public safety and the parks themselves. Concern about the layoffs was bipartisan. Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, said she’s worried that Acadia National Park will “not be able to hire the seasonal employees required to collect entrance fees and perform other essential tasks such as maintaining trails and providing first responder services to visitors.”

Maine will not meet goal to eradicate childhood lead poisoning by 2030, according to new report

MAINE PUBLIC • February 21, 2025

A new report says that Maine's state goal of eradicating lead poisoning by 2030 will not be realized until 2050. State CDC Toxicologist Dr. Andrew Smith said blood testing of young children and housing inspections have increased, and that public health officials in high-risk communities such as Lewiston have secured federal funds to tackle the problem. But the state concluded that efforts so far will not be enough to eradicate lead poisoning by the end of the decade.

Proposed rule requiring solar companies to pay fee to use agricultural land takes step forward

MAINE PUBLIC • February 21, 2025

A proposed rule that would require solar companies to pay a state fee in order to place panels on agricultural land took a step forward Thursday. State agricultural officials and the Board of Environmental Protection say the proposed fee is aimed at balancing competing land uses. If implemented, solar companies would have to pay a compensation fee to the DEP in order to develop on what is assessed as 'high-value agricultural farmland.' The Department of Agriculture estimates that roughly 13% of Maine land would be have this designation.

Cutting clean energy tax credits would drive up Maine power bills

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • February 21, 2025

A halt to clean energy tax credits being considered in the Republican-controlled Congress and by the Trump administration could boost electricity prices in Maine by 17% over the next 15 years, adding an average of $15 to a monthly bill, according to a study. Eliminating tax credits could lead to a $22 billion-a-year falloff in clean power investment in the U.S.; in Maine, the loss would be $100 million annually, according to the report. Nearly 1,500 megawatts of power generated by onshore wind, battery storage and solar energy would be lost in the next 15 years in Maine, with most disappearing by 2030. The result would be a loss of less expensive clean energy produced in Maine, exposing consumers to price volatility for fossil fuels such as natural gas and oil, whose prices are tied to global markets.

Brunswick Landing authority picks new leader in midst of spill cleanup

TIMES RECORD • February 21, 2025

Daniel Stevenson will become the new executive director of the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority (MRRA) on March 3, replacing Steve Levesque, who filled in after former Director Kristine Logan resigned in the wake of August's chemical spill. Before his MRRA assignment, Stevenson served as the Westbrook economic development director and the Biddeford economic development director for seven years in each position. His earlier career was spent with Maine’s Department of Economic and Community Development. “We also have a plan in place for periodic testing and monitoring of the oil-water separation systems to ensure they are properly maintained,” said Levesque. “Ultimately, our goal is to remove all PFAS/PFOS concentrate from the hangars.”

Governor Janet Mills Proclaims February 24 - March 2 as Invasive Species Awareness Week in Maine

MAINE GOVERNMENT NEWS • February 20, 2025

Governor Janet Mills has officially proclaimed February 24 to March 2, 2025, as Invasive Species Awareness Week in Maine. This proclamation coincides with National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW), an annual event dedicated to raising public awareness about the environmental and economic threats posed by invasive species. The week serves as a call to action for individuals, communities, and organizations to help prevent and manage invasive species across the state. "Invasive species threaten Maine's natural landscapes, forests, and waters," said Governor Mills. "By taking proactive steps to prevent their spread, we can help protect our environment, economy, and way of life for generations to come."

Maine hikers prepare for 100-Mile Wilderness trek on Appalachian Trail

FRANKLIN JOURNAL • February 20, 2025

A team of Maine outdoor enthusiasts is preparing to embark this month on a rare midwinter traverse of the 100-mile Wilderness, a demanding stretch on the northern end of the Appalachian Trail. The expedition by Ryan Wilford, Adam Schoff and Evan Spencer is both a test of endurance and a mission to raise at least $10,000 for underprivileged youth through United Way of the Tri-Valley Area’s Hope Fund. The 100-Mile Wilderness is the name given to the next-to-last section of the Appalachian Trail on its 2,180-mile route from Springer Mountain, Georgia, to Mt. Katahdin in Maine. The most remote section of the trail, it runs between Monson and Abol Bridge over the West Branch of the Penobscot River just south of Baxter State Park.

Trump Quietly Plans To Liquidate Public Lands To Finance His Sovereign Wealth Fund

CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS • February 20, 2025

On February 3, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to create a sovereign wealth fund (SWF), saying the United States will have one of the largest funds in the world. That requires raising trillions of dollars very quickly. Given that the United States is roughly $36 trillion in debt, experts question where the money would come from. The Trump administration seems to be signaling that selling out and selling off the nation’s public lands to the highest bidder might provide the necessary funding. Doug Burgum, President Trump’s secretary of the interior, explained that the nation’s parks, public lands, and natural resources—including timber, fossil fuels, and minerals—are assets on “the nation’s balance sheet.”

Norway ice fishing derby offering $10,000 in cash, prizes this weekend

SUN JOURNAL • February 20, 2025

The third annual Pennesseewassee Lake Ice Fishing Derby is set for this weekend, with more than $5,000 in cash prizes and an additional $5,000 in raffle prizes. The derby will be Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a food truck on the ice both days. For those who have not preregistered, registration closes at 10 a.m. Saturday. Proceeds will benefit Moose Maine Kids, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting outdoor activities for children.

Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association serves fish tots to local tots

TIMES RECORD • February 20, 2025

The Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association is working to get locally caught fish into Maine’s school lunchrooms. The nonprofit has teamed up with school districts in Brunswick, South Portland, Rumford and Somerville to improve access to local seafood by developing student-tested menu options. MCFA launched the product in Brunswick Junior High School lunch lines this fall. On Feb. 11, it broadened the reach to serve hundreds of tots to Brunswick tots.