Gulf of Maine Research Institute and City of Portland announce formal climate partnership

MAINE PUBLIC • December 3, 2025

The city of Portland is partnering with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute to prepare for the effects of climate change. The city council and the research organization will share data and collaborate on climate resiliency work. The formal partnership commits both organizations to data sharing, collaborative grant applications and joint work on coastal resilience and working waterfront protection. The collaboration will focus on protecting Portland's working waterfront and coastal areas from sea level rise, as well as meeting sustainability goals like electrification.

Over 3,500 acres on the South Branch of the Dead River permanently protected

MAINE PUBLIC • December 3, 2025

A five and a half square mile parcel of privately owned, ecologically diverse land in Western Maine's High Peaks region on the South Branch of the Dead River, at the headwaters of the Kennebec River, has been permanently protected. The Trust for Public Land says the conservation easement on the South Branch Forest was secured in partnership with the State, U.S. Navy, U.S. Forest Service, and a number of foundations and individuals, including the landowner. “In the past 20 years, Trust for Public Land has protected 213,000 acres of forestland in Maine, one-third of which is in Western Maine and the High Peaks region," TPL Maine state director Betsy Cook said. The land will be managed for public outdoor recreation like hiking, hunting, birding and fishing. Timber harvest will continue on about half of the area, and the other half will be dedicated to preserving older forests and sensitive habitats.

The Best Good Climate News of 2025: States Lead the Way on Clean Energy and Lower Bills

LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS • December 3, 2025

This year, states across the country acted to tackle the energy affordability crisis. While Republicans in the federal government jammed through partisan policies that are raising costs and giving handouts to polluters, states defended clean energy progress, led on climate action, and fought to lower energy bills. During the 2025 legislative session, Maine focused on moving toward a clean energy future and protecting residents from the impacts of climate change. Maine legislators:

• Sped up the state’s timeline for achieving 100% clean energy with a new target of 2040.

• Established the Department of Energy Resources to create more opportunities to bring clean energy online.

• Mandated implementation of the state’s climate plan prioritizing reducing climate pollution, promoting clean energy, and protecting communities from climate change.

• Enacted storm preparedness and climate resiliency legislation to help prepare for climate disasters.

Help Wanted: Executive Director

NATURAL RESOURCES COUNCIL OF MAINE • December 3, 2025

The NRCM Board of Directors has opened the search for a new Executive Director. This leader will guide a dedicated and experienced staff, partner closely with an engaged Board, and serve as NRCM’s primary public voice building strong relationships across communities, policymakers, and supporters. The ideal candidate brings strategic insight, inclusive leadership, and a deep commitment to protecting the nature of Maine. The new Executive Director should build on our 65-plus-year history of protecting the nature of Maine by maintaining NRCM’s leadership role among environmental advocacy organizations in Maine and its position as an exemplar for across the nation.

Maine exports fluctuate dramatically as tariffs drive increased trade volatility

MAINE PUBLIC • December 3, 2025

Maine's exports were down 29% in August, according to the latest report from the Maine State Economist Office. Patrick Woodcock, president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, said, "Maine is extremely exposed to exports and imports from Canada, and there has been a lot of modifications with trade policies." Canada is by far Maine's largest trading partner. Forestry products, seafood, and energy account for much of that economic exchange.

Record Maine deer harvest set with nearly 2 weeks left

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 2, 2025

Maine hunters have pushed the state’s deer harvest to a new all-time high, and deer season is still ongoing. As of Tuesday morning, the statewide total reached 52,709 deer, surpassing the previous record by providing increased hunter opportunity. The figure includes all seasons to date: archery, youth hunt, firearms and the ongoing muzzleloader season.

With first major snowfall, Saddleback set to open for skiing and riding Friday

SUN JOURNAL • December 2, 2025

As Maine prepared for the first major snow event of the season Monday, Saddleback Mountain officials announced the resort would open for the season Friday, Dec. 5, with top-to-bottom skiing and riding available on at least 8 trails.

Maine Climate Council pledges commitment to meeting 2030 goals

MAINE PUBLIC • December 2, 2025

Maine has made measurable progress towards its 2030 climate goals but leaders of the state's climate council acknowledge advancing its action plan could be challenging under the Trump administration. "Addressing climate change is a marathon," said council co-chair and Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Melanie Loyzim at a council meeting in Augusta Monday. While the state has made strides, including reaching 55% renewable energy usage last year, it is still less than halfway to meeting some of its goals according to a year-end report from the council. Despite new hurdles, Loyzim said the state was not going to stop pursuing its goals.

This is one solution for MDI’s deer problem 31

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 1, 2025

There are just too many deer per square mile on the island of Mount Desert. Why not simply reduce the deer numbers by having a hunt? This has been done successfully in other parts of Maine. Conversations with Maine state wildlife biologists and the Maine Bowhunter’s Association would be a good starting point. ~ V. Paul Reynolds

3 Maine hunting laws I hope change in the new year

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 1 , 2025

As usual I have a holiday wish list. I already have so much stuff throughout the house that I will never use, I might give some of it away as presents this year. Most of the items on this year’s list are issues my fellow hunters, nonhunters and others across the state can’t agree on. But it doesn’t hurt to dream:
Wish 1: Clarify Maine’s baiting laws so every hunter understands what is legally allowed.
Wish 2: Hunting on Sunday has been illegal in Maine since 1883. End this blue law.
Wish 3: Maine hasn’t had a statewide spring bear season for over 45 years. Bring it back.
~ Al Raychard

A celebrated conservationist’s unwitting role in Maine’s PFAS crisis

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 1, 2025

Conservationist Bill Ginn is mad about what happened at the heavily contaminated Hawk Ridge Compost Facility that he started 35 years ago as a recycling center. He sold it three years after he started it. Since then, three large waste management companies have owned it, most recently Casella Waste Systems. Now the largest composting facility in the state, Hawk Ridge has processed 150,000 dump trucks worth of mostly papermill solid waste since 1989. Extensive PFAS contamination on and around it forced the company to announce it will close the facility by June of next year. “What we originally envisioned as a wonderful little organic composting facility that would make great products is now a toxic waste site,” said Ginn, who was chief conservation officer at The Nature Conservancy for 25 years until he retired six years ago. “It’s a terrible tragedy, what’s happened.”

Maine Conservation Voters Action Fund Endorses Hannah Pingree for Governor

MAINE CONSERVATION VOTERS • December 1, 2025

For the first time, Maine Conservation Voters Action Fund has made an endorsement in a primary for governor. The organization is supporting Hannah Pingree. “Unprecedented times call for unprecedented actions,” said Maureen Drouin, executive director of Maine Conservation Voters. “Hannah Pingree stands out, demonstrating time and again her commitment to taking on big, important fights and standing up to special interests to protect the health of Maine people, the environment, and our democracy. Hannah will fight for lower energy prices and a clean energy future. We are proud to endorse her candidacy for governor.”

Maine Calling: Paul Mayewski

MAINE PUBLIC • December 1, 2025

After leading the University of Maine’s Climate Change Institute for 24 years, climate scientist Paul Mayewski stepped down from his role this past September. His transition comes amidst a shift in support for climate research. Mayewski talks about his career and research as a leading glaciologist, his outlook on the future of climate action, and what his plans are going forward. Panelist: Paul Mayewski, glaciologist, climate scientist; former director, University of Maine Climate Change Institute.

Maine is lagging on key climate targets

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 1, 2025

Maine is falling behind in its efforts to hit several major climate goals, including electric vehicle adoption, green job creation and land conservation, a new report finds. The Maine Climate Council’s annual update doesn’t explicitly say Maine won’t meet its climate goals on time, but the report cites “massive adoption gaps” and the need for a “significantly accelerated pace.” It points to “political headwinds” from the federal level as “delaying necessary federal support” as an explanation for why progress in certain high-cost areas, like the buildout of new electric vehicle charging infrastructure, is not keeping pace. The report concludes that while Maine is 91% of the way to being carbon neutral, achieving the final 9% will depend not just on continued heat pump installation but on overcoming the massive adoption gaps in EVs and the expansion of the green workforce.

Mainers made a noble effort to reintroduce caribou

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 1, 2025

On Dec. 10, 1986, a harrowing 1,200-mile journey ended when 22 woodland caribou from Newfoundland stepped into a fenced enclosure at the University of Maine in Orono. Their arrival marked Maine’s second attempt to reestablish caribou. The first occurred in 1963 with the release of 23 Newfoundland caribou in Baxter State Park. By 1965, all 23 animals had died or migrated to Canada. The 1986 caribou project galvanized Mainers. Most favored reintroducing caribou because earlier generations had contributed to their demise. Between 1987 and 1989, the birth of 50 caribou calves in captivity represented a milestone. The first release, in April 1989, was in Baxter State Park. Half were killed by bears and the others died of brainworm. Great Northern Paper Company offered a release site near the park for the remaining 20 caribou. But most of those were dead by October 1990. A restored caribou herd would have been a remarkable achievement, but it would have been difficult for woodland caribou to survive. Climate change is affecting Maine’s snow regime. Caribou require deep, fluffy snow.

Winter storm warning issued as Maine braces for first major snowfall of season

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 1, 2025

The first significant snowstorm of the season is expected to move into Maine on Tuesday morning, with forecasters warning that driving conditions could be dangerous. The storm is expected drop about 3 to 6 inches of snow along Maine’s coast, but inland areas could get 8 inches or more by late Tuesday night. During the afternoon, snow could fall at a rate of an inch an hour.

Water bills are shooting up in rural Maine

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • November 30, 2025

Since the start of this year, about 40 of the 152 water utilities regulated by the commission have filed proposals to raise their rates. Most reflect smaller increases that are part of a yearslong pattern of incremental change. But in at least half a dozen districts, rates have risen or are slated to rise by 20% or more by Jan. 1. Years of deferred maintenance are catching up with some small utilities, forcing them to raise rates by as much as 75%. At the same time, the state says there is a pressing need for heightened investment in Maine’s drinking water infrastructure, including to safeguard it from the effects of climate change.

Opinion: Setting the record straight on Brunswick foam spill

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • November 30, 2025

Like everyone, I was shocked by the accidental release of PFAS-containing firefighting foam in a hangar at Brunswick Executive Airport in 2024. I was also disappointed by the statements of public officials. The record clearly demonstrates that the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority was neither negligent in its firefighting system maintenance efforts, reticent in its efforts to manage the emerging PFAS issue, nor obtuse to the environmental factors on the former base. The unfortunate release resulted from a fault in an electronic sensing unit, and was not associated with any negligent maintenance issue. I hope the officials who were so critical will correct their statements. ~ Steve Levesque, former executive director of Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority

Why late fall is the best time to explore these 3 Down East preserves

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • November 30, 2025

Our mission: to explore a few coastal preserves and enjoy the quiet that descends over the state’s outdoor destinations in November. Three preserves made it onto our agenda: Bog Brook Cove Preserve in Cutler and Trescott, Long Point Preserve in Machiasport, and Boot Head Preserve in Lubec — all owned and managed by Maine Coast Heritage Trust. At an overlook, we watched the sun sink toward the horizon, throwing color into the clouds like magic. I’ve always said that November is one of Maine’s “ugliest” months, but moments like that make me second-guess myself. I’m thankful that in this crazy world, we have places where nature still has space to delight us. ~ Aislinn Sarnacki

Small Maine ski areas beat the odds as they struggle for survival

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • November 29, 2025

While many of the more experienced and out-of-state skiers head for the big resorts, thousands of Maine residents, looking for a more cozy, less crowded and less expensive experience, head to one of the state’s smaller ski areas. Some of those are thriving, while some are just getting by. Either way, they face an uphill struggle for survival as they work to stay affordable and relevant as a source of winter fun. In the 1960s, there were dozens of smaller, community ski areas in Maine. Today there are 14, plus a few private ski hills associated with schools. Each year the financial hurdles get higher. Changing weather patterns; more expensive liability insurance, electricity and fuel; and the need for greater snowmaking challenge the affordability of ski areas.