Emerald Ash Borer Spreads to Other Parts of Maine

WAGM • March 20, 2025

The invasive Emerald Ash Borer is making it’s way to other parts of the state. The bug was first detected in the northern and southern parts of Maine back in 2018. Officials say that they are seeing it spread into central Maine this year. The Emerald Ash Borer is a destructive pest that is not native to Maine but has been living in parts of Maine since 2018. It’s believed that the spread happens through the transportation of firewood. Folks can help slow the spread with early detection, treating ash trees with insecticides, and by not transporting firewood.

8 Acadia National Park probationary workers reinstated

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 20, 2025

Acadia National Park is reinstating the eight probationary employees terminated in February. “In compliance with court orders, the Department of the Interior is reinstating these employees. All impacted employees will receive back pay, and the department will ensure continued compensation as the White House pursues its appeals process,” the National Park Service said Wednesday. Last Thursday, U.S. District Judge William Alsup declared that the termination of probationary park employees throughout the country was illegal.

Opinion: Women are well suited to lead on climate issues

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 20, 2025

Countries at the forefront climate policy—Denmark, Sweden, New Zealand, Norway, Austria, Switzerland, Iceland and Finland—also rank in the top quartile for the proportion of women who have served in government positions. I can’t say that these two statistics are directly correlated, but women are disproportionately affected by the climate crisis, giving them unique insights into the solutions needed for resilience and adaptation, and women are inherent nurturers and therefore can better provide the care our planet requires. Who better to fix a problem than the people being primarily affected by it? Find female climate advocates in your community. Reach out, offer support, listen and learn. ~ Zoe Peterson, Bowdoin College senior

Letter: You’re welcome, Avangrid

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 0, 2025

My wife and I are members of a small solar array, which we own with eight other families. During a 14-month period, we sent 705 kilowatt hours of “unused expired credits” from our array through CMP’s wires. That electricity was then sold by Avangrid. Poor Avangrid! It wants to eliminate net energy billing but is quite happy to receive the one and a half months-plus worth of free electricity we sent it so that it can sell it on the open market and further increase the millions of dollars in profit it makes each year and pay millions of dollars in dividends to its shareholders. ~ Richard Estabrook, Brunswick

Letter: Cancelling net energy billing would be irresponsible

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 20, 2025

Attempts to cancel net energy billing are based on the false claim that the solar program is responsible for increased electricity costs for Mainers. Those cost increases are primarily the result of the rising price of natural gas and storm recovery costs from last year’s devastating storms in January. Every dollar invested in net energy billing results in $1.29 in ratepayer benefits. More than 100,000 Mainers currently have solar installations, providing clean energy to reduce carbon emissions and limit climate change. To cancel net energy billing would break the state’s contract with those Mainers. It would also eliminate any incentive to install solar energy systems. It would be an irresponsible step backward and away from our goal to reduce fossil fuel consumption. ~ Stephen Martin, Brunswick

Column: Death of Mr. Maine Brook Trout a true loss to Maine

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 20, 2025

In late January, Maine lost Gary Corson, a wild native brook trout conservationist of unmatched knowledge, accomplishment and influence. Few if any have done as much for Maine’s wild native brook trout as Gary. And when it comes to lake- and pond-dwelling wild native brook trout, no one in the history of Maine ever knew more, and it’s likely no one ever will. In 2001, he was named Sportsman of the Year by Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine. He was the 2011 recipient of Maine’s Legendary Maine Guide Award. He lived and breathed lake- and pond-dwelling native brook trout and dedicated an immeasurable amount of time to their preservation. The next time you see a State Heritage Fish sign while afield, take a moment to thank the person who was most responsible for making it happen, Gary Corson. ~ Bob Mallard

Expect ticks to be active in Maine this spring

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 20, 2025

Ticks have already emerged in some parts of Maine this month and are likely to be active throughout the spring. This winter’s temperatures were colder compared to those in recent years, which can limit tick survival in certain conditions. But that doesn’t mean the ticks, and the diseases they carry, are likely to drop off in 2025. That’s because the colder temperatures also kept snow cover on the ground, insulating the ticks and protecting them from cold weather.

Agriculture Policy Day Showcases Young Leaders During the Year of Youth in Agriculture

MAINE GOVERNMENT NEWS • March 19, 2025

Young agricultural leaders from across Maine gathered at the State House for a successful Agriculture Policy Day, a key event in the state's ongoing Year of Youth in Agriculture initiative. The day provided 4-H and FFA members valuable opportunities to meet Governor Mills, the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, and other lawmakers, and share their passion for agriculture and its role in rural and urban communities. The students spent the day engaging directly with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, and Maine Department of Education staff and policymakers. They discussed the importance of agricultural advancement and education and highlighted the critical role young people play in Maine agriculture today and in the future.

Acadia's 2024 Success: A Year of Increased Visits for the Maine National Park

WBLM • March 19, 2025

Acadia National Park is one of America's most wonderful attractions. The Maine park glistens with beauty, mystique, and wonder. It's everything that is right with the world, naturally compacted into a lovely little area.Acadia spans over 47,000 acres of stunning East Coast landscape. It offers world-class hikes, the tallest mountain on the Atlantic Coast, picturesque views, outdoor recreation opportunities, and so much more. It even provides plenty of activities during the off-peak months, which is great for locals to enjoy. Acadia saw nearly 4 million visitors in 2024, making it one of the most visited years ever. That was roughly a 2% increase from 2023.

Puffins Return to Maine

WOKQ • March 19, 2025

The Atlantic Puffin is a gorgeous animal. Atlantic Puffins breed from May to August. After their short breeding period on the rocky coast of Maine, they return to the open ocean for the majority of the year. So these beautiful birds are rarely seen, even though they are "native to" (breed in) Maine. The most common place to see the Atlantic Puffin is on Eastern Egg Rock - off the coast of Maine - a little over an hour north of Portland. The best way to see these beautiful creatures nest is to take a tour out of Boothbay Harbor. Many people suggest Cap’n Fish’s Audubon Puffin Cruise. There are other tours that depart from Steuben, Maine near Acadia National Park, and also Cutler, Maine near the Canadian border.

Patagonia sues Marden’s, alleging that Maine retailer knowingly sold counterfeit gear

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 19, 2025

Patagonia, the outdoor gear company famous for its mountain-range logo, is suing Marden’s Surplus and Salvage for trademark violations, alleging the bargain retailer knowingly sold counterfeit products at locations across Maine — a claim that Marden’s denies. The California-based company further charges that Marden’s directs the manufacturing, distribution and import of the fake products. “We don’t do business like that,” Marden’s general manager Fox Keim said. “We were completely caught off-guard by this.”

Maine's shifting songbirds reflect a warming climate

MAINE PUBLIC • March 19, 2025

And as climate change accelerated by fossil fuel pollution shortens Maine’s winters, Doug Hitchcox, a staff naturalist with Maine Audubon says songbirds are arriving earlier and staying later. Across the country, common bird species are moving along with the climate changes. Between 1966 and 2013, hundreds of widespread species moved the center of their winter range 40 miles north. While some birds appear to be thriving, John Garrett from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and others are sounding alarms about the threats made worse by climate change, such as habitat loss, food scarcity and pollution. "We've lost 3 billion birds since 1970," Garrett said. "How have we lost this many birds? And why? Climate is definitely a big part of it."

Panel recommends rejecting Sears Island conservation bill

MAINE PUBLIC • March 19, 2025

Lawmakers on the Environment and Natural Resources Committee have voted 10-2 against supporting a measure to conserve Sears Island entirely. The bill, from Rep. Reagan Paul, R-Winterport, would extend a conservation easement that covers three quarters of the state-owned island onto the remaining parcel, set aside for commercial development under a 2009 agreement. But a majority of lawmakers said the bill would eliminate any future possibility for the state to build a port or other industrial facility on the island in Searsport. Plans to develop a port at Sears Island have been proposed for decades, prompting fierce contest to preserve the land. Many advocates told legislators during a public hearing that they were in favor of renewable energy but preferred the state focus on building a port at the nearby Mack Point terminal.

Mainers Speak Out Against Chaotic Federal Funding and Firing Decisions

NATURAL RESOURCES COUNCIL OF MAINE • March 19, 2025

One by one, a diverse group of Mainers including a fired federal worker, business and fishing groups, a veteran, and a SNAP participant spoke about the real-world harm that has been inflicted by the chaotic decision-making of the Trump Administration.

Meeting to Discuss Bay of Fundy Aquatic Connectivity Project

AG CLIPS • March 19, 2025

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the State of Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, the State of Maine Department of Marine Resources, and the Lead Partner the Passamaquoddy Tribe are holding a second public meeting to discuss the proposed watershed plan and environmental assessment for the “Bay of Fundy Aquatic Connectivity” project in Washington County, Maine.  This meeting will be April 17, 2025, at the Cobscook Institute in Township of Trescott, Maine, at 6 p.m. Under the project deteriorating fishways and undersized culverts that block fish such as sea-run smelts and sea-run alewives from historic spawning and nursery habitat will be replaced on roads in selected municipalities in Washington County. Water quality and forest health improvement will be created through restoration of habitat access, adjoining riparian areas and stream bank corridors.

Piping plovers arrive early in Scarborough

SCARBOROUGH LEADER • March 19, 2025

The first piping plover of the season was spotted on Higgins Beach in Scarborough last week and the endangered bird species, which can typically be found on Maine’s beaches from April through August, are trending toward an early-to-mid-March arrival date in Scarborough. The 54 chicks that fledged last year in Scarborough represent roughly 22% of the 237 chicks that fledged across the entire state, according to data provided by the Maine Audubon.

If tourists boycott Maine, let’s Make Summer Great Again — for us

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 19, 2025

Why, if we see a dip in tourism, I propose that we take the opportunity to Make Summer Great Again — for us. I’m talking about staycationing to the fullest — doing all those things we say “we can do anytime we want” but don’t. The things we can’t bring ourselves to spend the money on because they’re in our backyard. It’s hard to say right now how tourists will feel come summer, considering the pace at which decisions are being made and reversed. When it becomes clear how much of a dent politically motivated travel decisions will actually make, we’ll be here. And if the hospitality folks meet us halfway — maybe extend those Maine resident discounts beyond the least desirable months — I’ll happily step up.

Fishermen want to go green but say DOGE cuts prevent that

ASSOCIATED PRESS • March 19, 2025

Commercial fishermen and seafood processors and distributors looking to switch to new, lower-carbon emission systems say the federal funding they relied on for this work is either frozen or unavailable due to significant budget cuts promoted by President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency. The changes are designed to replace outdated systems and are touted by environmentalists as a way to reduce seafood’s carbon footprint. Fishermen affected by the cuts described the situation as chaotic and confusing. Scallop distributors in Maine are among those who say their federal commitments have been rescinded or are under review. “The uncertainty. This is not a business-friendly environment,” said Togue Brawn, a Maine seafood distributor who said she is out tens of thousands of dollars. “If they want to make America great again, then honor your word.”

Belfast City Council approves limit on cruise ship traffic

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 18, 2025

The Belfast City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to limit the size of cruise ships that can allow passengers to disembark at city-owned facilities. The ordinance amendments would bar any vessel certified to carry 50 or more passengers from boarding or disembarking passengers. Bar Harbor recently rejected a proposal to expand passenger numbers and loosen regulations on cruise ship arrivals. The proposal revisited a previous ordinance that limited cruise ship passenger visitations to 1,000 daily.