Maine’s outdoor recreation industry is ripe for growth, leaders say

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 22, 2026

Industry leaders say Maine is off to a strong start on a plan to grow the state’s outdoor recreation economy by 10% in 10 years. The Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation, Maine Outdoor Brands and other partners launched the plan a year ago to establish the sector as a pillar of the state’s economy. More than 400 government officials, policymakers, educators, business owners, nonprofit workers and outdoor enthusiasts have gathered in Portland this week for an annual summit to talk about how to meet their goals despite economic and logistical challenges.

Opinion: Maine housing policy can accommodate both growth and conservation

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 23, 2026

Maine Audubon and GrowSmart Maine advocate for land use policies that support communities where people and wildlife can thrive. We advocate for balance, clarity and impact in local, state and national land use policies. This includes local zoning, through which residents decide where they do and don’t want different types of development and how much. Our organizations support streamlining state environmental review for denser development when we build in smart places. Local zoning and thoughtful siting are some of the best ways to avoid impacts to wildlife habitat and the cost of sprawl. Growth and conservation can coexist — and they must — but we have to be smart about it. ~ Nancy Smith, GrowSmart Maine, and Francesca Gundrum, Maine Audubon

Opinion: Maine’s future depends on a fully funded NOAA

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 22, 2026

In Maine, the ocean isn’t just beautiful scenery — it’s  where we work, where we raise families, and where our history is anchored. It’s the lobster boat heading out before dawn and the clammer watching the flats. From Kittery to Eastport, the Gulf of Maine shapes our economy and our way of life. That’s why I was glad to see Congress overwhelmingly pass a bipartisan funding package this month that avoids the worst of the president’s proposed cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). But this budget only gets us through September. As Congress turns to the next budget, it should continue to keep NOAA strong. NOAA is an evidence-driven agency with real-world impact that helps people make good decisions in the face of uncertainty. ~ Tom Allen, former Maine congressman

‘Ocean’ film screening: A Journey with David Attenborough

BOOTHBAY REGISTER • January 22, 2026

The Boothbay Region Climate Action Team (BRCAT) cordially invites everyone to attend a complimentary screening of the acclaimed film, “Ocean” with David Attenborough at the Harbor Theater. This special event is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 7 beginning at 2 p.m. The film, featuring the renowned David Attenborough, will take viewers on an extraordinary exploration, demonstrating that “there is nowhere more vital for our survival, more full of life, wonder, or surprise, than the ocean.”

Guided winter activities to show off Rangeley-area conservation lands

RANGELEY HIGHLANDER • January 22, 2026

Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust is planning a series of free, guided outdoor activities throughout February and March on conservation lands across the Rangeley region. Fresh Tracks Winter Event Series is designed to encourage year-round use of conserved properties while offering opportunities for outdoor recreation, environmental education and community connection. All programs are open to the public, with advance registration required for some events.

Details of $1 billion Oxford County ‘water battery’ shared with Rumford group

SUN JOURNAL • January 22, 2026

Representatives from a company developing a $1 billion pumped storage hydropower project in Oxford County were featured speakers at a recent meeting of the River Valley Rotary Club. Western Maine Energy Storage plans to build an upper and lower reservoir, each 100 acres. The two reservoirs will be connected by a pipe. A powerhouse sitting just above the lower reservoir will generate electricity whenever water flows down from the upper reservoir and passes through a turbine. That electricity can then be passed on to the grid. The two artificial reservoirs will help store and generate 500 megawatts of on-demand power, stabilizing the grid by using excess renewable energy to pump water up and releasing it during peak demand. The purpose is to provide on-demand, firm renewable energy, balancing intermittent wind and solar power.

Locals worry as Down East marine facility goes up for sale

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 22, 2026

The Winter Harbor Marine Center, which is the terminal for ferry service to Bar Harbor, has been listed for sale for $4.95 million. Maine does have a Working Waterfront Access Protection Program that, through the Land for Maine’s Future Program, provides matching funds to help preserve waterfront properties for commercial fishing and aquaculture use. But the process under that program is complex and relatively slow moving. In late December, Liscomb said that there had been no apparent progress towards sorting out the future of the marine center property. “There’s been no follow up, no changes,” Town Manager Sara Liscomb said. “There’s been a lot of talk but no money.”

Letter: Nuclear and wind should be a bigger part of Maine’s energy future

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 21, 2026

I am a student from King Middle School, and I have been researching climate change. Going into the future, Maine should harness the full potential of nuclear, wind, and solar, in an attempt to impede climate change, and by 2045, become carbon neutral. Moreover, if we can strive to use renewable energy sources that don’t worsen global warming, then we may be able to adapt to this changing planet. We should all be asking ourselves: How am I going to adapt to this changing world? And in what ways? ~ Oliver Bensen, Portland

Opinion: A healthy Kennebec River, a healthy Maine

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 21, 2026

Last fall, The Nature Conservancy and Brookfield Renewable announced an agreement for the purchase of the four lowermost dams on the Kennebec River. In the months since, there has been a lot of discussion about The Nature Conservancy’s intention to restore free-flowing conditions to this section of the river and what that might mean for the communities and economy of central Maine. We have seen time and again that where we have healthy rivers, we have healthy communities and healthy economies, and we are confident the same can be true on the Kennebec. The Nature Conservancy and our partners have made clear from the start that we are 100% committed to developing a plan with Sappi to ensure the Somerset Mill’s water system needs are fully addressed as part of any long-term river restoration plan. ~ Kate Dempsey, The Nature Conservancy in Maine

$40 million agriculture bond bill sees support from Maine farmers, loggers

MAINE PUBLIC • January 21, 2026

Supporters of a $40 million bond proposal before state lawmakers say it would support Maine's agriculture industry by providing funding for grant programs and low-interest loans. Presented by Rep. Bill Pluecker, D-Warren, LD 2094 would allow voters to decide on the massive investment in Maine farms and forestry companies. Representatives from Maine's logging industries agreed that equipment upgrades are the among the most crucial investments to be made in the agriculture sector. Though Dana Doran, the executive director of the Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast, told committee members forestry industries should see a larger allocation from the bond proposal. In its current form, the bond would allocate about $12 million to the forestry industry while the rest would go to farming.

Maine lawmakers consider public funding for electric infrastructure

MAINE PUBLIC • January 20, 2026

Maine lawmakers are debating a new state agency that would use low-interest government borrowing to help pay for electric grid upgrades. State Senator Mark Lawrence, D-Eliot, told a panel of lawmakers that the state needs new transmission lines to connect potential new power generation to the New England electric grid. Electric customers shoulder the costs of expensive transmission projects, and a Maine Transmission Authority could use low-interest state bonds to reduce the price of development, Lawrence told a panel of lawmakers. Maine has been an electricity consumer for the last century, Lawrence said. But new transmission to areas with the potential to make new power from resources including solar and wind could make the state into a electric generator for the region, he added.

Good Stewardship

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY • January 20, 2026

Most days, you can find Legacy Club Stewardship Manager Warren Miskell working at his desk in Brunswick, Maine, serving as a resource for The Nature Conservancy’s more than 33,000 Legacy Club members. At certain times of the year, though—typically in the fall or late spring—you might find him suited up in fire-resistant gear, volunteering as a member of TNC in Maine’s burn crew. More than half of the world’s terrestrial ecosystems need fire to stay healthy, and TNC uses it as an important landscape stewardship tool. Controlled burns require rigorous planning: The weather must be just right, and each participant has a role. Whether that’s setting fires with a drip torch or dousing escaped embers, Warren is glad to be involved in this hands-on conservation. “It’s a serious commitment to do this work. The people who do it full time have a wealth of knowledge of how to use and control fire for conservation,” says Warren. “With each fire, I learn from them. It’s exciting to be a part of it.”

Officials confirm astonishing comeback of loons

THE COOL DOWN • January 20, 2026

Conservationists have noticed a positive change among Maine's waterways: loons are starting to return. Loons are a type of diving waterbird, recognized for their distinct call that conservationists describe as "haunting." Maine is home to the largest loon population on the East Coast; however, the population has been threatened by the fishing industry, and previously also the coal industry leading to elevated mercury levels in loons' blood, before the state's last coal plant closed over a decade ago. In more recent years, loons have accidentally ingested fishing tackle, leading to a decline in the population over the years. But as a result, state lawmakers have worked to help protect the loon population by banning types of tackle that the waterbirds mistake for food, and officials now believe those laws have led to an improvement in the health of the loon population.   

Maine's Environmental Priorities Coalition Outlines Slate of Priority Legislation for 2026

MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL PRIORITIES COALITION • January 20, 2026

Today, Maine’s Environmental Priorities Coalition (EPC), a partnership of 40 environmental, conservation, climate action, and public health organizations, joined legislative leaders to announce their collective priorities for the 2026 legislative session. Legislative sponsors and advocates announced the following seven priority bills – five of which are carry-over bills from the first half of the 132nd session – during a legislative kick-off event at the State House:

• LD 1870: Making polluters pay for climate damages

• LD 1949: Protection from skyrocketing utility costs

• LD 646: Addressing stormwater pollution

• LD 785: Wabanaki sovereignty 

• LD 362: Funding Land for Maine’s Future

• LD 2141: Conserving lakes and farmland in Maine

• LD 1730: Expanding access to solar energy

Fishing lawsuit backed by Wisconsin group targets Maine conservation rules

MAINE MORNING STAR • January 20, 2026

A family of dedicated spin anglers are taking the state to court, arguing that fly fishing only regulations impede their freedom to harvest fish under Maine’s constitutionally protected right to food. The lawsuit, filed last month by Joe and Samantha Legendre in Kennebec County Superior Court, marks the second time Maine’s court system will be asked to interpret whether the Right to Food Amendment supersedes the mandate of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to “preserve, protect, and enhance the inland fisheries and wildlife resources.” It also marks the second time out-of-state funding has been used to target Fish and Wildlife’s regulatory authority.

Opinion: New legislation would make Maine’s polluters pay

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 20, 2026

Fossil fuel companies are spewing billions of tons of greenhouse gases into the air every year. These act like a blanket, reflecting heat back toward the Earth, where it’s absorbed by the ocean. This is why the Gulf of Maine is one of the fastest warming bodies of water on the planet. Our rising ocean temperatures are the root cause of more frequent and more severe storms. Flooding, high winds and falling trees have cost Maine electric ratepayers over $200 million in each of the past four years. Introduced by state Sen. Stacy Brenner, the “Polluter Pays” bill (LD 1870) would charge fossil fuel companies a fee for climate damage they’ve caused in Maine. The funds would be deposited into a state “climate superfund” and used to pay for storm repair and strengthening local infrastructure. Vermont and New York passed similar legislation in 2024. Ten other states, including Maine, are proposing similar legislation. Lawsuits filed by the American Petroleum Institute and the Trump claim that states are regulating emissions, and that this violates interstate commerce laws. These new laws are a step toward making polluters accountable for pollution they cause. ~ Sue Inches, North Yarmouth

Don’t drink Trump’s global warming Kool-Aid | Letter

CENTRAL MAINE • January 19, 2026

This is regarding Gary Steinberg’s Jan. 11 letter, “Dense fuels rule, something Trump understands.” He has clearly swallowed Trump’s Kool-Aid — global warming is a hoax. Mr. Steinberg’s letter says it all: “The fake global warming narrative….” We can go on living as before, no need to change. The Earth is not warming, the ocean is not warming, the glaciers are not melting, the lobsters are not migrating, droughts are not intensifying. All is well.  ~ Phil Coupe Sr., Scarborough

Opinion: A New Year’s wish for North Atlantic right whales

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 19, 2026

Over the coming months, North Atlantic right whales will begin their migration north toward New England. There was a time when thousands of right whales passed our shores each year. Today, around 70 breeding females remain. This is devastating. Entanglement in fishing gear remains the leading cause of injury and death. Ship strikes are another constant danger. The fate of right whales is about coexistence, stewardship, and whether we can find ways to ensure their migrations continue alongside modern life. These whales have endured centuries of change. Whether they endure this one remains uncertain. As we begin a new year and reflect on what we value, I hope we hold space for the fragile hope that they will continue to return, year after year, to the place they have always known as home. ~ Cindy Lowry, Maine-based environmental advocate with more than two decades of experience protecting marine wildlife

Opinion: A science teacher’s case for Nirav Shah as governor

SUN JOURNAL • January 18, 2026

As a science educator, it’s dizzying to watch decades of evidence be ignored. After the Soviet Union launched Sputnik in 1957, the U.S. ramped up funding for research and overhauled science education to focus on critical thinking. That investment fueled decades of innovation. Today, we face challenges that are every bit as complex. Climate change is real. Maine’s winters are warmer, its coastline is eroding and extreme storms are more frequent. Maine is also grappling with shifts in traditional industries like fishing and forestry. Maine needs experienced, compassionate, intelligent leadership. ~ Maria Palopoli, Brunswick

Nature Connects: Winter in Maine is a time to embrace and explore

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • January 18, 2026

Here in Maine, winter is one of the best seasons to be outside. Snow is the only form of precipitation you can truly play in, and a fresh blanket of powder opens the door to experiences found nowhere else: cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, wildlife tracking and much more. At Inland Woods + Trails, we manage more than 100 miles of trails year-round in Western Maine, including 25 miles of groomed showshoeing, cross-country skiing and fat-tire biking trails. You can visit us at The Bethel Resort every day from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. into March. Across the state, land trusts are offering programming that inspires connection and invites people outside in meaningful ways. There’s a growing recognition that winter programming offers more than recreation. It supports mental health, fosters social connection, strengthens local economies and helps people feel rooted during the darkest months of the year. ~ Gabe Perkins, Inland Woods + Trails