Inside the plan to protect Moosehead Lake from a destructive invasive fish

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 21, 2025

Moosehead Lake, one of Maine’s most important cold-water fisheries and home to native brook trout and landlocked salmon, already struggles with an increasing abundance of native lake trout plus invasive bass, yellow perch and white perch. But there is a new threat on the horizon: Northern pike. Pike compete with brook trout and salmon for food. Pike will eat anything it can fit in its mouth, including its own young. They could ruin the landlocked salmon and trout fishery, just as they destroyed a trophy salmon fishery at Long Pond in the Belgrade Lakes region. That would be devastating for Moosehead Lake, which draws thousands of people from around the world to its waters year-round for lake trout, salmon and brook trout fishing, supporting a multi-million-dollar local tourism economy.

Column: The weird sounds you are hearing could be spring birds

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 21, 2025

Birds make noises for many reasons. This time of year, the main reason is all about mating, either wooing a partner or declaring a territory. Some of these noises could hardly be called songs. It takes a lot of imagination to describe an owl hoot as a song, but they’re out there hooting up a storm this time of year. American woodcocks return early in spring. Most are back now, and many are calling. Not long after their arrival, snipes take to the air in a mating display amplified by a weird, jungle-like hu-hu-hu sound, which definitely cannot be classified as a song. Tree swallows are the earliest swallows to return. I expect them around Easter. Courtship begins almost immediately, but their distinctive twittering is hardly an aria. Woodpeckers play a huge role in the non-song spring cacophony. They drum year-round, but do it much more often during mating season. Ah, spring. If you listen, you can hear it coming. ~ Bob Duchesne

Maine DEP issues Notice of Violation to Mallinckrodt

MAINE PUBLIC • March 20, 2025

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has issued a Notice of Violation to Mallinckrodt, formerly known as the HoltraChem Manufacturing Company. For several decades, the company manufactured caustic soda, chlorine bleach, hydrochloric acid and other chemicals at its now defunct plant in Orrington, resulting in what the DEP calls "significant mercury contamination to soils, groundwater and the nearby Penobscot River." The state's Board of Environmental Protection ordered the site cleaned up more than 15 years ago for protection of public health and the environment. And the department has been overseeing the process ever since. In a statement, the DEP said the company has failed to make meaningful progress for the past two years.

Fort Fairfield one of 14 Maine towns to get energy efficiency help

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 20, 2025

An Aroostook town will get recommendations on how to save energy costs in its aging municipal buildings thanks to a state award. Fort Fairfield is one of 14 Maine communities awarded technical assistance in the Community Resilience Partnership Energy Efficiency Planning for Rural Communities program, offered through the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future.

Efficiency Maine sues to release climate funding

MAINE PUBLIC • March 20, 2025

Efficiency Maine Trust and similar agencies in three other states accuse the Environmental Protection Agency of illegally blocking billions of dollars intended to help reduce greenhouse gas pollution in a lawsuit filed in federal court. The agencies said the EPA's termination of $20 billion for lending to clean energy and efficiency programs was unlawful and unconstitutional. Efficiency Maine offers rebates, loans and other incentives for energy efficiency home projects including insulation, weatherization and heat pumps.

Maine lawmakers advance effort to seek money for more EV subsidies

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 20, 2025

The Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee on Wednesday voted 7-5 along party lines to approve a measure authorizing Efficiency Maine Trust to pursue more than $2 million from an electricity market run by New England’s grid operator, ISO-New England, to help subsidize EV purchases by Maine car buyers. Republicans have criticized state efforts to broaden EV use in Maine, saying they are too costly for many Mainers and that the state has no business remaking private transportation. Democrats and their environmental allies say EVs are a critical part of Maine’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Mainers speak out against federal cuts threatening jobs, healthcare and fisheries

MAINE BEACON (Maine People's Alliance) • March 20, 2025

“Extremely wasteful and deeply traumatic.” That’s how Tessa Corsetti, a wildlife biologist who was abruptly fired by the Trump Administration from her job at U.S. Fish and Wildlife, described her experience. “Wildlife management and conservation play a vital role in supporting Maine’s economy and culture, and much of this work is done by civil servants,” Corsetti said. “Federal agencies are being gutted, and the policies that protect wildlife and our public lands are under threat.…My job [was] to increase efficiency. So unfortunately, the loss of that has been in direct contrast to what this administration says is their priority.”

Protecting Maine’s unsung underwater hero — algae

TIMES RECORD • March 20, 2025

Within weeks of the presidential inauguration, the federal scientific enterprise that funds academic research has been reshaped, sparking uncertainty in the scientific community. With colleges pausing hiring, reassessing graduate student admissions and eliminating jobs as grant applications languish, the question emerges: How will Maine, a state with labs like the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences and university systems, be impacted? Mike Lomas, director of the Bigelow National Center for Marine Algae and Microbiota, said, “Scientists must explore alternative avenues — contracting researchers for private companies or turning to philanthropic organizations.” 

Rewilding Across Continents, May 6

NORTHEAST WILDERNESS TRUST • March 20, 2025

Kathleen Fitzgerald and Sebastián Di Martino, veteran conservationists with decades of combined experience rewilding landscapes, talk about their work rewilding landscapes across North America, Africa, and South America. Hosted by Northeast Wilderness Trust. Online, May 6, 6 pm, free.

World Rewilding Day, March 20

GLOBAL REWILDING • March 20, 2025

Humans are truly at the heart of rewilding and they are the ones benefiting the most from it. This is a true partnership between nature and the human community, with people gently assisting nature to recover, but with wild nature being given time and space to follow her own course, often surprising us, for example, as species reappear that we thought were locally or globally extinct. Rewilding is proving to be a powerful vision that can be turned into reality. It is based on hope and optimism, and inspires people from all walks of life.

Column: It’s officially spring, and vernalization is upon us

TIMES RECORD • March 20, 2025

“Vernalized” is one of my favorite words. It is the concept of nature springing forth in spring and doing so particularly strongly when it is held back in dormancy during the winter. This week marked the official beginning of spring — the vernal equinox. The defining factor of the vernal equinox is not temperature but light. After night and darkness have seemed to swallow up day for many months, now light takes over and becomes more predominant as the season continues. As all of this productivity explodes, marine animals also prepare for their big growth season. ~ Susan Olcott

Rockport Conservation Commission to host evening of conversation and music with Halcyon String Quartet

PENOBSCOT BAY PILOT • March 20, 2025

The Rockport Conservation Commission will present "Rising Tides, Lifting All Boats," a unique performance by the Halcyon String Quartet, March 30, 4 pm, at the Rockport Opera House. This event marks the launch of the Rockport Climate Resilience Hub, a new resource aimed at helping the community understand climate challenges and take meaningful action. The Halcyon String Quartet, a Midcoast artist collective, has been commissioned to interpret data from Rockport's climate vulnerability assessments and greenhouse gas inventory through music. Following the performance, there will be a panel discussion featuring local Midcoast resilience practitioners and volunteers, who will share their stories of climate actions in the region.

Wabanaki Alliance leader discusses power dynamics and progress in Lewiston

SUN JOURNAL • March 20, 2025

Maulian Bryant, executive director of the Wabanaki Alliance, talked Thursday afternoon with Bates College history professor Joseph Hall at the Great Falls Forum at the Lewiston Public Library. Their talk was titled, “Wabanakis Then and Now.” She said, the support and passion from Maine people in recent years to support its indigenous history and culture has been growing. Bryant detailed her progress and battles on more recent legislation to amend pieces of a 1980 settlement between the state and tribes, some of which has been vetoed by Gov. Janet Mills.

Opinion: Learning key lessons while watching Brunswick-Topsham bridge build

TIMES RECORD • March 20, 2025

As a regular observer of the Brunswick-Topsham bridge project, I have watched with awe from the early excavations through the precision placement of massive steel beams. Progress has been impressive, and we eagerly await the final product. Throughout the bridge construction, environmental considerations have been carefully managed. Both public and private partners have prioritized sustainable practices, ensuring that the project minimizes its ecological footprint. From sourcing materials responsibly to implementing eco-friendly construction techniques, the bridge project serves as a model for environmentally conscious development. Watching the progress as the new bridge takes shape should help us all gain some confidence that we have the capability to build better futures together. ~ John Dorrer, Topsham

Emerald Ash Borer Spreads to Other Parts of Maine

WAGM • March 20, 2025

The invasive Emerald Ash Borer is making it’s way to other parts of the state. The bug was first detected in the northern and southern parts of Maine back in 2018. Officials say that they are seeing it spread into central Maine this year. The Emerald Ash Borer is a destructive pest that is not native to Maine but has been living in parts of Maine since 2018. It’s believed that the spread happens through the transportation of firewood. Folks can help slow the spread with early detection, treating ash trees with insecticides, and by not transporting firewood.

8 Acadia National Park probationary workers reinstated

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 20, 2025

Acadia National Park is reinstating the eight probationary employees terminated in February. “In compliance with court orders, the Department of the Interior is reinstating these employees. All impacted employees will receive back pay, and the department will ensure continued compensation as the White House pursues its appeals process,” the National Park Service said Wednesday. Last Thursday, U.S. District Judge William Alsup declared that the termination of probationary park employees throughout the country was illegal.

Opinion: Women are well suited to lead on climate issues

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 20, 2025

Countries at the forefront climate policy—Denmark, Sweden, New Zealand, Norway, Austria, Switzerland, Iceland and Finland—also rank in the top quartile for the proportion of women who have served in government positions. I can’t say that these two statistics are directly correlated, but women are disproportionately affected by the climate crisis, giving them unique insights into the solutions needed for resilience and adaptation, and women are inherent nurturers and therefore can better provide the care our planet requires. Who better to fix a problem than the people being primarily affected by it? Find female climate advocates in your community. Reach out, offer support, listen and learn. ~ Zoe Peterson, Bowdoin College senior

Letter: You’re welcome, Avangrid

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 0, 2025

My wife and I are members of a small solar array, which we own with eight other families. During a 14-month period, we sent 705 kilowatt hours of “unused expired credits” from our array through CMP’s wires. That electricity was then sold by Avangrid. Poor Avangrid! It wants to eliminate net energy billing but is quite happy to receive the one and a half months-plus worth of free electricity we sent it so that it can sell it on the open market and further increase the millions of dollars in profit it makes each year and pay millions of dollars in dividends to its shareholders. ~ Richard Estabrook, Brunswick

Letter: Cancelling net energy billing would be irresponsible

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 20, 2025

Attempts to cancel net energy billing are based on the false claim that the solar program is responsible for increased electricity costs for Mainers. Those cost increases are primarily the result of the rising price of natural gas and storm recovery costs from last year’s devastating storms in January. Every dollar invested in net energy billing results in $1.29 in ratepayer benefits. More than 100,000 Mainers currently have solar installations, providing clean energy to reduce carbon emissions and limit climate change. To cancel net energy billing would break the state’s contract with those Mainers. It would also eliminate any incentive to install solar energy systems. It would be an irresponsible step backward and away from our goal to reduce fossil fuel consumption. ~ Stephen Martin, Brunswick

Column: Death of Mr. Maine Brook Trout a true loss to Maine

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 20, 2025

In late January, Maine lost Gary Corson, a wild native brook trout conservationist of unmatched knowledge, accomplishment and influence. Few if any have done as much for Maine’s wild native brook trout as Gary. And when it comes to lake- and pond-dwelling wild native brook trout, no one in the history of Maine ever knew more, and it’s likely no one ever will. In 2001, he was named Sportsman of the Year by Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine. He was the 2011 recipient of Maine’s Legendary Maine Guide Award. He lived and breathed lake- and pond-dwelling native brook trout and dedicated an immeasurable amount of time to their preservation. The next time you see a State Heritage Fish sign while afield, take a moment to thank the person who was most responsible for making it happen, Gary Corson. ~ Bob Mallard