Column: Known as a sign of spring, robins are year-round species

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 1, 2025

Let’s start with the myth that robins are a sign of spring. We definitely see an influx in their numbers during spring migration, but they are a year-round species in Maine and have been for a long time. Robin winters in the state has been known since the time of Audubon. Bird populations and ranges are changing, increasingly so with the changing climate. I have long looked to red-winged blackbirds as a truer sign of spring in Maine, but even they are starting to become more regularly seen in winter. In winter, robins are primarily frugivores and can devour a bush of berries within an afternoon. Soon we’ll be hearing their melodious songs filling the morning air. You can usually pick out a robin because it’ll wake you up even before the sun rises, but at least you know that means longer and warmer days are coming! ~ Maine Audubon Staff Naturalist Doug Hitchcox

Maine Sea Grant in jeopardy after Trump administration terminates $4.5 million grant program

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 1, 2025

The federal government is discontinuing a $4.5 million grant program for Maine Sea Grant, one of the state’s prominent fishery organizations, as one of the first major cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration amid President Donald Trump’s efforts to slash budgets and issue grant restrictions. The move leaves 20 employees and Maine Sea Grant’s programming in limbo. “This notice is devastating for our team and countless partners, the University of Maine and the entire state,” Maine Sea Grant Director Gayle Zydlewski said. Maine Lobstermen’s Association said in a written statement Saturday. “While we appreciate the importance of cutting fraud and waste from government spending, eliminating vital programs like Maine Sea Grant could have a negative impact on both our economy and our environment.”

UMaine loses multi-million-dollar Maine Sea Grant funding from NOAA

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 1, 2025

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has pulled the plug on the University of Maine’s multi-million-dollar Maine Sea Grant. The current four-year grant is entering its second year. “It has been determined that the program activities proposed to be carried out in Year 2 of the Maine Sea Grant Omnibus Award are no longer relevant to the focus of the Administration’s priorities and program objectives,” a letter NOAA sent late Friday night to the university said. Termination of the funding is immediate, the letter said. It is the latest fallout for Maine from the cuts by Elon Musk.

Massachusetts woman killed in Piscataquis County snowmobile crash

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 1, 2025

A 53-year-old Massachusetts woman was killed in a snowmobile crash Friday afternoon in Piscataquis County. At about 1:30 p.m., Stefanie Cappello of Southborough, Massachusetts, was traveling north on snowmobile trail ITS 85/86 with a group of other snowmobiles, heading towards Millinocket, according to Mark Latti, spokesperson for the Maine Warden Service. Cappello, who was riding eighth in the line of nine snowmobiles, was unable to navigate a turn on the trail and her snowmobile struck a tree. Cappello was declared dead at the scene. The initial investigation blamed operator inexperience.

1 person killed in Piscataquis County snowmobile crash

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 1, 2025

One person was killed in a snowmobile crash Friday in northern Maine. The crash was reported at 1:44 p.m., on the ITS 86 West snowmobile trail near Kokadjo. Rescue crews drove to a road near the location of the initial 911 call, and then traveled about four miles by snowmobile to reach the crash site. The Maine Warden Service is investigating.

Column: How to improve your bird identification skills

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 1, 2025

When it comes to building bird identification skills, I propose that there are five levels of proficiency. Level one: identification by sight. Tip: Don’t rely on color. Rely on field marks. Color can vary by age, gender and season. Field marks are more consistent. Level two: identification-by-sound. Tip: 20 percent of the birds make 80 percent of the noise. Learn to recognize the bird songs you hear most often. Level three: bird ranges. Tip: Wherever you are going, get familiar with what birds to expect there. Level four: habitats. Tip: Recognize habitat preferences. Level five: bird behaviors. Tip: Observe behavior. Duh. ~ Bob Duchesne

A 50-year-old event helps Maine’s fishing industry hash out its differences

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 1, 2025

An annual weekend event that brings together fishermen with scientists, government officials and industry observers is celebrating its 50th anniversary in Rockport. The Maine Fishermen’s Forum, which was first held in 1976, is being held this weekend at The Samoset Resort, overlooking Penobscot Bay. The conference over the years has become both a forum to discuss fisheries policy and management and a place to socialize and get to know other people involved with the industry. And, to longtime attendees, it has morphed into an event where people on different sides of issues can come to agreements that otherwise would remain elusive.

Town officials and homeowners rally in support of bipartisan climate preparedness bill

MAINE MONITOR • February 28, 2025

Maine lawmakers on Thursday heard overwhelming support for a bipartisan bill that would bolster the state’s disaster preparedness efforts and provide millions of dollars in grants to fortify Maine homes and local infrastructure against climate change-fueled storms. The bill, L.D. 1, was received warmly by members of both parties at a public hearing. The bill would create three new initiatives, largely in response to the recommendations of a state climate resilience commission, whose members urged the state to improve emergency communications, help small Maine communities navigate federal disaster assistance, and buttress homes and infrastructure before the next disaster strikes. The third initiative would establish a new state fund with $750,000 matching funds to leverage the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s loan fund.

Trump Says US Doesn’t Need Canada’s Timber, And Wyoming’s Lumber Industry Agrees

COWBOY STATE DAILY • February 28, 2025

Wyoming has a small, struggling lumber industry that has been on life support of late, and it was heartened to hear President Donald Trump say that America doesn’t need lumber from Canada. Neiman Enterprises, Inc., owned by Jim Neiman, is one of Wyoming’s last remaining large lumber production companies. A larger supply would cure many of the ills Wyoming’s lumber industry has faced and would bring his own business back to full vitality, Neiman said.

Lewiston plans to begin $5M in riverfront upgrades next year

SUN JOURNAL • February 28, 2025

The city is nearing the start of major upgrades to the riverfront and Simard-Payne Memorial Park worth more than $5 million, likely to be set in motion during budget talks this spring. The list of projects, including a community pavilion in the park and overlooks and steps down to the canal along Oxford Street, are part of the city’s Riverfront Island Master Plan. In early 2024, the city received nearly $4 million in federal funding toward the improvements. City leaders are hoping to encourage more recreational use on the riverfront, but also new economic activity to capitalize on the coming development of Maine MILL, which stands for Maine Museum of Innovation, Learning and Labor.

Lawmaker wants Maine to help farmers hurt by federal funding freeze

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • February 28, 2025

A state lawmaker has submitted an after-deadline bill to create a state-funded, no-interest loan program to help Maine farmers struggling to survive a federal funding freeze that has left them on the hook for at least $1 million in unreimbursed expenses. Sen. Stacy Brenner, D-Scarborough, says Maine farmers shouldn’t face financial ruin for believing the U.S. Department of Agriculture would honor long-term contracts through agricultural programs that have enjoyed bipartisan support, some of which date to the Dust Bowl era. Maine can’t afford to lose any more farms, said Brenner.

CMP seeks $228 million for 2024 storm repair costs

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • February 28, 2025

Central Maine Power Co. on Friday asked state regulators for approval to collect $228 million from ratepayers to cover the costs of restoring power and cleaning up after more than two dozen storms last year. Public Advocate Heather Sanborn said CMP’s request marks the third consecutive year the utility has had more than $100 million in storm costs and “demonstrates the urgent need for utilities to take comprehensive and cost-effective steps to reduce storm costs.”

Conservation of Wood Turtles in Maine, Mar 13

MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS • February 28, 2025

Although the state is home to six species of freshwater turtles, the wood turtle is particularly notable for its intelligence, unique life history, and role in Maine’s ecosystems. While populations are declining throughout much of the eastern United States, Maine remains a stronghold for this species. Matt Chatfield, Ph.D., has spent nearly a decade studying wood turtles, uncovering new insights into their ecology and behavior. His presentation will highlight the importance of habitat conservation and ongoing efforts to protect these remarkable turtles. Sponsored by Kennebec Land Trust and Maine Association of Conservation Commissions. At Hallowell City Auditorium, March 13, 2025, 6 pm.

New Forever Stamps Capture the Beauty of the Appalachian Trail

USPS • February 28, 2025

A first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony for the Appalachian Trail Forever stamps was held today. On the first row, is an image of the iconic Mount [sic] Katahdin in Maine. 

A Peace of Forest, Mar 29

MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS • February 28, 2025

Within 70 acres of Maine forest, in Whitefield, lies a world rarely traversed by humans. This is not a wilderness. There are no grand vistas. This ordinary terrain is unremarkable at first glance. Yet, its subdued riches provide crucial habitat for a vast wealth of plants and animals that are often overlooked. The film makers and producers, Lee Ann and Thomas Szelog will host a Q&A with the audience immediately following the movie. At Univ of Southern Maine, Hannaford Hall, March 29, 2025, 7 pm.

Tides of Change: Climate Action Through Conservation, Mar 27

MAINE COAST HERITAGE TRUST • February 28, 2025

News Center Maine’s evening meteorologist Keith Carson will talk about how the climate change conversation has changed over the last 15 years in his signature style of making complex weather and climate information both accessible and engaging. Info, food, raffle, on-site screenprinting. At Maine Beer Company, Freeport, Maine, March 27, 2025, 6-9 pm, tickets start at $25. Sponsored by Maine Coast Heritage Trust.

Restoration of Maine’s Longest River: The Unprecedented Cleanup of the Mighty Penobscot, Mar 3

UMAINE • February 28, 2025

Lauri Gorton, Program Manager, Greenfield Penobscot Estuary Remediation Trust LLC, will provide an overview of one of the largest environmental cleanups underway in Maine, designed to reduce exposure to mercury in the Penobscot River estuary – the state’s longest river. In 2022, the U.S. District Court in Maine approved a Consent Decree that created and funded two environmental response trusts to settle the 20-year lawsuit. As Greenfield’s Program Manager for the Penobscot Estuary Mercury Remediation Trust, Lauri is responsible for leading the trust’s technical, regulatory, and communications programs designed to address mercury contamination in the Estuary. The talk will be held virtually via Zoom and in-person at 107 Norman Smith Hall, UMaine, Orono, March 3, 2035, 3 pm.

Mingle with wildlife and be inspired, Mar 5

MAINE AUDUBON • February 28, 2025

Maine Audubon’s Wildlife Mingle events at Gilsland Farm features our friends at Center for Wildlife, a wildlife rehabilitation and conservation medicine organization in Cape Neddick. Whether you’re hoping for an inside look at a wildlife rehabilitation clinic—how do you care for a Spotted Salamander who is disturbed midwinter?—or look forward to hobnobbing with birds of prey, you’re bound to have a good time at the Winter Wildlife Mingle on March 5, 6:30 pm, $25 Members/$30 Nonmembers, 21+ only. Tickets are selling fast.

Maine 2024 Commercial Fisheries Value Increases by More than $74 Million

MAINE GOVERNMENT NEWS • February 28, 2025

Maine’s commercial harvesters earned $74 million more in 2024 than in 2023, with landings valued at $709,509,984, according to preliminary data release by the Maine Department of Marine Resources. The jump in overall value was due in large part to a year-over-year increase of more than $46 million earned by lobstermen at the dock. “2024 was a challenging year for Maine’s commercial fishing and aquaculture industries,” said Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher. “The storms that destroyed docks and piers up and down the coast put these industries at serious risk. But the state has been able help rebuild damaged coastal infrastructure, make it more resilient to the effects of climate change, and protect critically important waterfront access for those who make a living on the water.”

Helping Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

FRIENDS OF KATAHDIN WOODS & WATERS • February 28, 2025

The National Park Service is facing unprecedented challenges in 2025. With 1,000 NPS employees terminated, the NPS team at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument may face changes to current staffing and recruitment. A bright spot: hiring of seasonal employees at the National Monument is moving forward, meaning some of the most critical visitor-facing rangers and maintenance jobs in the monument can be recruited. Monument staff are eager to continue providing accesss to these invaluable public lands and the experiences they offer. You can express your concerns to your elected officials directly or using a form like this one from National Parks Conservation Association.