BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 25, 2021
I grew up enjoying walks along Bangor’s waterfront and hiking through wooded trails in Acadia National Park here in Maine. Throughout my visits, I’ve seen how deeply Mainers care about our local wilderness and wildlife — and who could blame them. And that love extends farther, to one of the U.S.’s most pristine and wild places: the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. It’s home to dozens of incredible bird species like snowy owls and iconic mammals like caribou and polar bears. Oil drilling in the Arctic would fundamentally alter this critical habitat that’s already feeling the effects of climate change. Our decision makers in Washington need to safeguard the natural places and wild animals that Mainers love and permanently protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. ~ Elizabeth DiSanto, Environment Maine, Portland