Conservation training program ends, but its legacy lives on

UMAINE • January 9, 2025

Conservationists not only need ecological expertise, but also have to understand the impact of conservation on the economics and culture of an area, be able to interact with the public about issues of conservation and so much more. UMaine’s NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) Program in Conservation Science and Practice has reached the end of its five-year term, but it has sent UMaine graduates off with a more holistic approach to conservation and started a legacy of similar programs at UMaine.

Editorial: Rebutting ranchers’ beef about national monuments

MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS • January 9, 2025

On Tuesday, to honor the long-standing urging of local tribes, President Biden used his authority under the Antiquities Act to create the Chuckwalla and the Sáttítla Highlands National Monuments. Within seconds, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council (PLC), a rightwing advocacy group that has led the war on public lands for nearly six decades, condemned the action as an irresponsible use of the Antiquities Act. Their beef? That the ranchers might not be able to run their cows on the lands. These are public lands that belong to all Americans, whether they live in Maine or California. For generations, ranchers have wrongly treated millions of acres of public lands as their personal territory to be used for private profit. They have also received massive public subsidies while ruining the land. Bernard DeVoto exposed this national scandal in a 1934 essay called “The Plundered Province.” Christopher Ketcham updated it in his 2019 book “This Land: How Cowboys, Capitalism, and Corruption are Ruining the American West.” NCBA and PLC are threatening to work with the Trump administration to “bring common sense back to this process.” They may prevail in getting Trump to remove or restrict the new land protections, but that does not make it right.

326-acre land donation to forest conservation program

A recent record-setting land donation to the Maine Woodland Owners has increased the land trust's portfolio to almost 12,000 acres of forest around the state. The donation came from Friendship, Maine, resident Donna Roggenthien. Though she resides in Knox County, she owned 326 acres in Aroostook County's Moro Plantation. The organization will honor Roggenthien's wishes for the land by administering it as it does the 8,000 acres it owns and the 3,300 acres it holds in conservation easement. The Maine Woodland Owners provides active forest management for these properties.

State Sand Dune Restoration Fund Now Taking Applications!

MAINE AUDUBON • January 9, 2025

The importance of coastal dunes is increasing as climate change causes stronger storms and higher sea levels. Sand dunes are also important wildlife habitats: dunes and dune grass provide essential habitat for Endangered Least Terns and Piping Plovers to nest and rear their young. Though Maine is perhaps more famous for its rocky coastline than its sandy beaches, dunes can be found up and down the Maine coast. Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications to its new Coastal Sand Dune Restoration and Protection Fund. The Fund exists “to assist communities, municipalities, and other applicants implement projects designed to ‘restore, protect, conserve, nourish or revegetate a coastal sand dune system.’” Grants may also be awarded for public education and technical assistance projects related to coastal sand dunes. FMI https://www.maine.gov/dep/rfp/rfp.html?id=13138864

Portland receives $2M to revamp Franklin Street

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 9, 2025

An ambitious project to overhaul one of Portland’s busiest streets is getting closer to construction thanks, in part, to a $2 million grant from the federal government. “The construction of the Franklin Street arterial in the late 1960s had a challenging impact on many Portlanders, resulting in the demolition of whole neighborhoods, the displacement of longtime residents, and a permanent physical divide through the heart of the city,” Rep. Chellie Pingree said. “With this project, the City is taking an important step towards creating a safer, more equitable, and more unified Portland.”

Maine Dairy Task Force looks to taxes on cannabis, gambling or tobacco for help keeping farms afloat

SPECTRUM NEWS • January 9, 2025

The state’s dairy task force is asking lawmakers to consider a variety of potential funding streams to help keep more local farms in business, including increased taxes on cannabis, gambling and tobacco. In a report released Wednesday, the Maine Dairy Task Force emphasizes that a state-run stabilization program is working, but that it needs reliable funding to stem the tide of farm closures. Over the last 30 years, Maine has gone from 602 dairy farms to 140.

Letter: There’s plenty we can do to battle climate change

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 9, 2025

The first action to mitigate climate change and become carbon-neutral by 2040 is that Maine should focus on solar energy. Hydropower is also a good energy source for Maine to use because hydropower can provide benefits such as electricity generation, flood control, irrigation support and clean drinking water. Wind power is a clean and renewable energy source. Its cost competitiveness continues to improve with advances in the science and technology of wind energy. We can also help mitigate the effects of climate change by throwing away less food, saving energy at our homes, switching to an electric vehicle and more. There are so many ways that we can help mitigate the effects of climate change. ~ David Yemba, Portland

An endangered rabbit species is on the rise in parts of Maine

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 9, 2025

An endangered rabbit can be found in seven towns in Maine, two more than just six years ago, and the number of colonies has more than doubled to 46 known sites in that time, according to the state’s small mammal biologist. The native New England cottontail rabbit, which is on the Endangered Species list, is found in southern Maine, but its non-native invasive species cousin the Eastern cottontail is rapidly gaining ground, said Cory Stearns, small mammal biologist. The concern is that the Easterns will dominate, making it harder for the New Englands to rebound.

Federal appeals court hears arguments on Bar Harbor cruise lawsuit

MAINE PUBLIC • January 8, 2025

The Bar Harbor cruise debate was back in federal court today. Attorneys for local businesses, the town and ordinance author Charles Sidman made their arguments to the First Circuit Court of Appeals on the controversial 1,000-person disembarkation limit for cruise ship visitors. Jonathan Hunter, attorney for the town of Bar Harbor, said the town has the right to regulate cruise ship traffic. But the panel of three judges pushed back, noting the possible impacts on the cruise industry if other parts of the country impose similar restrictions.

Conservation group urges removal or redesign of Brunswick-Topsham dam

NEWS CENTER MAINE • January 8, 2025

Free the Andro is a group that is hoping to improve the ability of fish to get down and over the hydroelectric dam that sits in the Androscoggin River.

Chances of California wildfire smoke reaching Maine

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 8, 2025

Thick smoke from four wildfires has choked thousands of residents out of areas of southern California since Monday, with windstorms fanning the flames and preventing firefighters on the ground and air from making headway in extinguishing them. So far the winds are carrying the smoke west toward the Pacific Ocean. But air quality specialists in Maine and New England are monitoring the smoke, which can carry thousands of miles via the jet stream or by other winds. Smoke can bring particle pollution that causes coughing, shortness of breath, throat irritation or mild chest pain, especially to vulnerable people, including children, older adults, and Mainers with lung or heart disease.

Gov. Mills proposes creating a Maine department of energy

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 8, 2025

Gov. Janet Mills wants to create a new state department of energy to better manage Maine’s infrastructure and supply issues and to help residents access affordable and reliable energy. The proposal would elevate the Governor’s Energy Office to a Cabinet-level department if approved by lawmakers as part of the two-year budget, and would have no additional cost or impact on the state budget, the governor’s office said. In recent years, the Maine Legislature has expanded the responsibilities of the Energy Office, and the office has worked to secure more than $200 million in federal funding to support grid resilience and innovation, energy efficiency, and workforce development, among other investments for Maine. Elevating the office to a Cabinet-level position would be commensurate with those responsibilities, Mills said.

After 30 Years Depending on the Electric Grid, Maine Farm Returns to its Solar Roots With REAP

MORNING AG Clips • January 8, 2025

As growers begin studying seed catalogs to plan next season’s crops, an iconic Maine seed company enters the new year with solar panels generating energy on the warehouse roof. Wood Prairie Family Farm is in the far northern town of Bridgewater, Maine, near the Canadian border. Best known for its certified organic table and Maine-certified seed potatoes, the farm sells its seeds via a mail-order catalog and website. Founded by Megan and Jim Gerritsen in 1976, the farm has been grappling with rising energy costs in recent years. Maine’s electricity pricing runs higher than most places in the country. Fortunately, USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program was available to help fund a solution for Wood Prairie Farm. By late that summer, installation of a 29.44-kilowatt system roof-mounted solar system was complete.

Scarborough seeks public feedback on Open Space Plan

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 8, 2025

The town of Scarborough is seeking feedback from residents on a draft of its Open Space Plan before finalizing and presenting it to the Town Council for adoption next month. The goal of the plan, being developed by the ad hoc Open Space Committee, is to come up with an inventory of open space and provide recommendations on how and where Scarborough can achieve its 30-by-30 goal – conserving 30% of its land by 2030. Feedback is due by Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Major Fish Farm Project Faces Legal Battle! Will Nature Prevail?

NORDIC OVERLAND • January 8, 2025

In a dramatic turn of events, a nonprofit organization is challenging a contentious fish farm project in Belfast, Maine. Upstream Watch has initiated legal proceedings against Nordic Aquafarms and the local government, alleging serious missteps in the permitting process that could endanger the environment. Upstream Watch’s director, Jill Howell, has passionately voiced the group’s concerns over the ecological integrity of the site, which is home to undeveloped forests, wetlands, and important waterways. Howell believes that allowing development in such a sensitive area would be detrimental to the community and its valued natural resources.

Letter: Comic strip no laughing matter for wildlife

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 8, 2025

The Jan. 1 cartoon of Dennis the Menace releasing a balloon outdoors, with the words “Happy New Year” written on it, was hypocritical at best. A happy new year will be highly unlikely to some unfortunate animal due to the prolific incidence of wildlife creature deaths caused by released balloons. ~ Lucy Hardy, Wells

What’s next in adaptive moose hunt is unclear

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 8, 2025

In 2020, in an experimental effort to reduce winter tick infestations in Maine moose, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife undertook the so-called “adaptive moose hunt.” The object was to deliberately reduce cow moose populations in wildlife zone 4 to reduce winter tick severity. Hunters were the management tool used to cull female moose numbers. Research in other parts of North America showed that moose that live in low-population densities had fewer ticks. The jury is still out as to how successful the adaptive unit hunt has been in reducing cow moose numbers. The good news is that last year was the second year in a row that tick numbers were lower and also showed one of the highest moose survival rates since 2006.

Bank donates $25K to Black Mountain of Maine’s capital campaign

RUMFORD FALLS TIMES • January 7, 2025

Black Mountain of Maine recently received a $25,000 contribution from Franklin Savings Bank towards their capital campaign. “Their support will help us expand our snowmaking capacity, ensuring better coverage and earlier openings for seasons to come. This gift doesn’t just benefit the mountain — it helps our entire community thrive by supporting outdoor recreation, tourism, and healthy lifestyles in the River Valley region.” Last year, the ski area received $1.2 million in grant monies that will enable them to make snow faster and hopefully lengthen their ski season.

Lobster co-op says it won $5M settlement in years-long litigation against former CEO

MAINE PUBLIC • January 7, 2025

A cooperative of fishermen known as Lobster 207 says it has reached a $5 million settlement in a years-long case against its former CEO, Warren Pettegrow, and his family members. The cooperative sued Pettegrow, his parents and another conspirator five years ago, alleging they submitted fraudulent invoices, embezzled funds and stole products that were then sold to Lobster 207 members at a premium. "The Pettegrows vehemently deny the contentions in this suit and that they engaged in any wrongdoing," attorney David Ginzer said in an emailed statement. "However, they sought to resolve this action to move forward…”

Camp Bomazeen sale must benefit central Maine Boy Scouts, court says

KENNEBEC JOURNAL • January 7, 2025

The state’s highest court affirmed a lower court’s ruling that a much-loved Boy Scouts camp on Great Pond in Belgrade can only be sold if the proceeds from its sale are used to support camping activities for Boy Scouts in central Maine, not to pay off debt. However, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court also rejected a counterclaim from the leaders of a group trying to keep Camp Bomazeen a Boy Scout camp, and perhaps take control of it locally, ruling that a regional scouting group that took possession of the camp did so improperly. The court’s decision, issued Tuesday, leaves Camp Bomazeen, for now, in the hands of the Pine Tree Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and its future still in limbo.