Appalachian Mountain Club - Maine Chapter

April 22 is Earth Day 2008 for many countries in the Northern Hemisphere. According to the Earth Day Network, the threat of global warming is this year’s theme and events will be held around the world. In celebration, the Green Apple Festival will be held in several cities (with the largest event in Washington D.C.) and use music and other entertainment to celebrate the Earth.

The United Nations celebrates Earth Day on the March equinox, while many countries, including the United States, celebrate Earth Day on April 22. The first Earth Day was held in 1969 at the suggestion of John McConnell and this environmental concern became a significant event as proposed by Senator Gaylord Nelson. On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans across the U.S. demonstrated for a healthier sustainable environment and represents the arrival of ecological awareness in American society. Earth Day has continued and expanded into a global event, including the use of the Ecology Flag as its symbol:

Be sure to join us on Monday, March 17, 2008 for Wayne Newton’s presentation on Flowers of the AT.> Come see and hear of Wayne’s observations of the flowers along the AT in a slideshow presentation.

The location is in the Community Room at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 15 Pleasant Street, Brunswick, ME 04011. Please note that this is a change of location as of January 29, 2008: the Unitarian Universalist Church is next door to the Curtis Memorial Library at 23 Pleasant Street.

For more information, please see the AMC Maine calendar.

It is in the news nearly every week, but what does it mean for Maine? Come learn about wind power potential in Maine, how wind power proposals are evaluated, and if wind power can reduce Maine’s carbon footprint. Dave Publicover, AMC Senior Staff Scientist, will speak on wind power at the University of Southern Maine, Luther Bonney Auditorium, Bedford Street, Portland on March 6 at 7:00 pm. Dr. Publicover, Assistant Director of Research, advises the AMC and partner organizations on conservation and management of the Northern New England landscape. See the Maine Chapter calendar for more information.

On Monday, March 17, 2008, AMC Maine member Wayne Newton will present a slideshow on Flowers of the AT. Wayne’s thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail twice and has collected a photo library of the many flowers he encountered on his journeys. This is an excellent opportunity to experience the varied flora of the AT from the comfort of a chair while enjoying Wayne’s famous storytelling.

The location is in the Community Room at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 15 Pleasant Street, Brunswick, ME 04011. Please note that this is a change of location as of January 29, 2008: the Unitarian Universalist Church is next door to the Curtis Memorial Library at 23 Pleasant Street.

Parking is available on the street and in the municipal lot off Pleasant Street. Dinner at 6 pm, presentation at 7 pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring a potluck item and their own dinnerware (plate, utensils etc.). Drinks will be provided and plastic-ware will be available.

The Resources First Foundation (RFF) has recently launched a new website as a source of information on land conservation in Maine. StateConservation.org/Maine has been designed to be a comprehensive source of information on conservation of natural resources, including links to educational tools and solutions. Continue Reading »

Preservation groups have asked the Department of Conservation to perform a planning study for a potential new state park along the Androscoggin River. The Androscoggin Land Trust and the Androscoggin River Alliance are lobbying lawmakers for assistance to initiate a planning study for undeveloped land in Leeds and Turner. The State presently owns approximately 2, 600 acres in this area adjacent to the Androscoggin River. It’s been over 25 years since a new State Park was created; the Swan Lake State Park in Swanville.

Please click here for a related article in the Portland Press Herald.

The Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) Program has begun their process of identifying lands worthy of public conservation for its present budget. This budget of $17 million was established as part of the approval of Question No. 4 by voters on November 6, 2007.

Thanks to the support of partner groups like the Appalachian Mountain Club, the LMF program continues to seek to improve the quality of life for all Mainers through the preservation of higher-value undeveloped land. LMF is presently seeking applications through April 1, 2008 that meet criteria established in their Proposal Workbook.

Please click here for an article from the Portland Press Herald.

A reminder to come join us at December’s potluck and presentation on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 on climate change. Paul Kando and Elizabeth Ehrenfeld will give presentations on the impacts of climate change on Maine and ways to make a difference locally. Please join us for a potluck dinner at 6 pm and the presentations at 7 pm.

For more information, please see the AMC Maine calendar.

Come join us on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 for an evening of discussion on climate change. Paul Kando, a specialist in climate change, will give a presentation titled “Global Warming, an Update for Maine” including a comprehensive picture of the science, symptoms and projected impacts of Global Warming. Elizabeth Ehrenfeld, AMC Board member, will also present on Maine’s efforts for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (REGGI) and explain ways that individuals can make a difference.
Continue Reading »

AMC’s Conservation Programs Committee has voted to support the scientifically-based greenhouse gas emissions reductions goal of 80% by 2050. This goal has been widely adopted by climate scientists and organizations worldwide who are concerned about the impacts of precipitous climate change. Continue Reading »