PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 12, 2021
I founded the Maine Nightjar Monitoring Project to coordinate data collection on Eastern whip-poor-will and common nighthawk – two birds that face major threats throughout their breeding ranges, including here in Maine. By enlisting volunteers to observe these birds, we’re growing our knowledge of them. This will inform their conservation as well as the conservation of other threatened flora and fauna. Maine’s birds, including nightjars, are dwindling because of threats like climate change, habitat loss and pollution. Endangered Species Act funding hasn’t kept pace with the challenges these species face. Increased ESA funding is needed, and I urge Rep. Pingree, as House chair of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, to make this a priority. ~ Logan Parker, Palermo