MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • March 17, 2024
Mainers have had plenty of reminders of the impact of climate change. Conservation is a vital climate strategy. Wetlands absorb water and minimize flooding and damage to homes and businesses. Tidal marshes soak up storm surges and reduce erosion. Eelgrass beds and healthy coastal wetlands store carbon and filter out harmful chemicals from the water, while providing critical habitat for many of Maine’s commercially harvested fish, shellfish and baitworm species. Reconnecting rivers brings the return of sea-run river herring and endangered Atlantic salmon – which means more food for wildlife, healthier river ecosystems, and more vibrant fisheries along our waterways and in the Gulf of Maine. Maine’s iconic forests hold over 2 billion metric tons of carbon. Protecting these natural places protects all of us. ~ Kate Dempsey, Nature Conservancy in Maine, and Kate Stookey, Maine Coast Heritage Trust