NRCM Blog

An Evening with the Owls

by NRCM board member Susan MacKenzie, PhD

At 4:25 on an early April Sunday morning the temperature was a chilly 24^o, stars littered the floor of the sky, and the air was still as stone granite. I know this because my husband and I were returning from four hours of owling in central Maine. 

As part of the Maine Owl Monitoring Project, a citizen science initiative, we travel a 10-stop route in central Maine in early spring, listening for owls. The joy and challenge of this activity is that it begins at midnight, and ends by 4 AM. While it is an effort to stay up that late—and early, the chance to be out in nature for the better part of four hours when most others are asleep nudges me to climb into long underwear, snow pants, woolies, and winter jacket every April. And I am never disappointed.

Sometimes, in pitch black, the yodel of loons cuts the silence. When temperatures reach a balmy 33^o, spring peepers call in the season. Once we were blessed with the distant sound of migrating birds. Unable to see them, we knew they were winging their way to a nesting place up north. Sometimes, but not always, we hear owls as we stand still in the woods. And this time out, we hit an owling jackpot—a chorus of three Barred Owls and one Great Horned Owl regaled us for five minutes as we stood like sentinels of stillness.

It’s especially at these times outdoors in Maine, that I feel a deep kinship with the earth.  My soul swells with awe and gratitude to be part of an ecological system that is so elegant in its design and function. For me, time in nature has spiritual meaning. It’s a chance to experience the “thin places” as the Celts call it—to befriend the unknown and revel in the mystery of nature. 

When my children were growing up in central Maine, I shared my thoughts about the opportunities and obligations, and rights and responsibilities we each have to people and the earth. I still believe these words. As residents of this incredible state, it is our privilege and responsibility to protect the integrity of natural resources in Maine. If you have any doubts, I encourage you to spend a couple of hours outside as a new day is borne in early April. I promise you will be blessed in unexpected ways by the wonders of nature in Maine.

Going Green for St. Patrick's Day

By Beth Dimond, NRCM Public Affairs Coordinator

When I began working at NRCM more than 17 years ago, I had no knowledge of environmental issues other than the advice I had heard for years of, “Don’t litter,” and “Reduce, reuse, recycle.” I didn’t separate my glass and plastic for recycling. I didn’t reuse paper or print on both sides, and I never really thought about bringing my own canvas shopping bags to the grocery store.

What a difference a year….or 17…makes.

I now have canvas bags in my car at all times. I turn lights and electronics off when I don’t need them. I recycle all of my plastic, metal, and paper at home and at work. I have a smart phone and a GPS system so I don’t need to print off directions to drive to new places. And I bring a BPA-free water bottle with me to places rather than buying bottled water.

I am sure that there are many other things that I do as part of my daily routine that I don’t even think about because they are so ingrained in my habits. I don’t let the water run while I brush my teeth. I decide what I want out of the refrigerator before I open it rather than opening the door wide and staring into it, hoping that a Boston cream pie might appear (though I admit, if I thought I could will a Boston cream pie to appear by just staring into the fridge for a few minutes, I probably would).

St. Patrick’s Day is this Sunday, and it is always a time that I stop to think about ways to “go green” to help ensure a healthy planet for generations to come. I hope you are thinking about ways that you can lessen your carbon footprint, reduce the amount of trash you throw out, and make purchases that are better for your health and the environment. For information and ideas, I encourage you to visit NRCM’s website. We have a new feature called Maine Green Minute, done in partnership with Portland’s first carbon neutral radio station, 98.9 WCLZ. Listen to the Minute, and then find resources related to that tip. You can learn some gas-saving tips, read about non-toxic paint, find ways to save money on your water and energy bills, and much more.

Another great resource is NRCM’s Buy Green page. Among other things, it has a useful link to get your name off junk mail and catalog lists. You can also find a list of safer sunscreens and cosmetics, to help protect your family’s health.

And, you can also sign up for NRCM’s Tip of the Day to get your daily green tip sent to you directly through our RSS feed.

So, this St. Patrick’s Day, spend some time on NRCM’s website to learn about ways to go green to save the planet as well as how to save some green on your heating, water, and gasoline bills.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Related Links:

• Maine Green Minute
• Energy efficiency for your home
• Gas-saving tips
• Toxic-free living tips

Crossing the Piscataqua

By Patty Hager, NRCM Board Member

I’d love to believe that many years from now, my grandchildren will be able to catch brook trout in the same lovely little Maine pools where my father taught me to fish. Those native fish reply so reliably to our visits each spring that it has taken me a long time to realize that I shouldn’t take them for granted. The quality of water, wildness of habitat upstream and down, and access for us fisherpeople are all fragile gifts. My little trout expeditions bring to mind the importance of Maine’s inland and coastal country for thousands of us who cherish such places above all others, even though Maine is not our home state.

On April 2, hundreds of Maine residents will join NRCM for Citizen Action Day in Augusta to visit their representatives and express the strength of their support for Maine’s environmental agenda. It’s an inspiring day as Mainers rally to protect their state. It’s also one of many reminders that, while Maine is my heart’s home, it is not my home state. I don’t vote in Maine. My income does not depend on the health of Maine’s economy. I’m not watching my children try to decide whether they can make a living wage in Maine. I try to listen before expressing my opinions about environmental issues in Maine because I know that the stakes are not so high for me as they are for people whose families have lived here for generations.  

It’s tempting to let Mainers

Patty skiing with her dogs at her camp in Norridgewock.

themselves haul the environmental sled. But those of us who plan our lives around visits to Maine, who rent or own property in Maine, who plan to retire in Maine, who have family members living in Maine—we are all heavily invested in Maine’s future.
I could use a conversation with others from away and with Mainers about how we devoted visitors can commit ourselves most effectively to the best possible future for the most significant places in our lives. 

I imagine that all of us figure out how to support the local communities we visit—from shopping to contributing to regional conservation organizations. Near our cabin in Norridgewock, my husband and I have been amazed to learn about the quiet, visionary work of the Somerset Woods Trustees. Many of our area’s treasured parcels of land, especially along the Kennebec, have been preserved for public access by the prudent efforts of this group.  You have to spend time in the neighborhood to realize the full meaning of the SWT contribution to the local community.

Yet Maine faces perils that require action on a much bigger scale also.  From the threat of Canadian tar-sands oil to smokestack emissions originating in the Midwest, there are challenges to the health of Maine’s environment and people propelled by powerful national and international business interests. Unless we think and act in full knowledge of the forces that threaten the state at large, we are unlikely to succeed in protecting the dear places that draw us to Maine again and again.

In my experience, NRCM is an especially effective resource for out-of-staters as well as Maine residents. A visit to the website offers both excellent scientific background and nonpartisan political strategy, most of which does not require residency. We can do research on the issues and take action in a variety of ways, from writing to our own legislators on bills that affect Maine, to attending forums, to flinging ourselves into the sea as NRCM “polar bears” raising funds to address climate change. I’m medium confident I’ll have gathered the courage to take this last step by next January’s Polar Dip and Dash.

Especially important to me is NRCM’s keen understanding of the pressing need for good jobs in Maine. NRCM proposals for action are informed by a deep and analytical awareness of the critical role natural resources play in the local and state economies. As respectful non-residents, we need the data and the logic to sync Maine’s economic needs with her environmental opportunities.

Meanwhile, we might do well to celebrate with native Mainers the stories of success. Consider the dam removal on the Penobscot. I find myself daydreaming about salmon making their way into the upper reaches of the Penobscot thanks to the steady, focused, win-win collaboration of the Penobscot Nation, businesses, conservation  organizations, and communities with interests along the river. Wouldn’t you think there might be some fishy party as salmon enter the upstream pools of their ancestors? 

I wonder how others from away think about our relationship with the places in Maine that define us, and I hope to learn more about your experiences in the places you care about.

A resident of Massachusetts, Patty Hager retired as Academic Dean of Concord Academy in 2007. She is an accomplished outdoorswoman and spends much of her free time at her camp in Norridgewock. She launches many of her extensive paddles from there.

Related:
Become a Member of NRCM—Membership makes a difference for Maine's environment!
Explore the NRCM website
Like NRCM on Facebook!
Follow NRCM on Twitter!

On the Road to Climate Action. Washington, DC, Here We Come!

The sun sets on a great day of climate action

What an amazing day! We were just featured on the WCSH-6 TV news at 6:00. We have gotten back to the bus and are headed home. Hopefully the wind and snow have stopped by the time we get home tomorrow morning.

Take a look at photos and news clips from the day at www.nrcm.org/ForwardOnClimate.asp

Please share your thoughts about the rally here on our blog in the comment section of this post. What were some of the highlights of the day for those of you who were there?

When you get home and are rested, please don't forget to share your photos with us. You can email them to nrcm@nrcm.org.

 

 

We are at the White House

And look who we ran into!

 

 

 

Sunday 1:15 p.m.

The speakers were amazing. Now, we are getting ready to march to the White House. What an amazing event. The official count is more than 35,000 people in Washington, DC to make our voices heard on climate change. We have been having an amazing day! There are a lot of new photos posted on our Facebook page. Check them out and please send yours along to nrcm@nrcm.org.

 

 

Mainers Gather

Because people headed to Washington by car, bus, and train, we decided to have a common location at which everyone could meet in advance of the noontime rally. We gathered, along with several other groups from Maine, at the World War II memorial to greet each other, get even more energized for the rally, and have a chance to talk about what this rally means to all of us in Maine. We want climate action now. We want tar sands oil to stay out of our state. We want to make a difference. If you want to make a difference, write to President Obama and add your voice to the thousands of voices in Washington, DC, telling him that we demand climate action NOW!

 

Sunday Morning, 7:30 a.m.

The photo is a little blurry, but I wanted you share a photo from the bus at 15 minutes from our destination (7:30 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 17). Excitement on the bus is building as we look forward to our arrival and the reason we're here: to send a clear message to President Obama and Congress that it's time to move #ForwardOnClimate!

(Listen to my radio interview with WZON about the trip to D.C.)

Good morning from Maryland

It is 7:00 a.m. and we are in Baltimore. Lee, our driver, did a great job driving through the night. We saw some snow in Connecticut and Massachusetts but no snow is in sight this morning. Well, we understand that there is some snow back in Maine, but none for us. At our third pit stop, we had a chance to visit our 350.org Massachusetts friends. Everyone is so excited to get to Washington this morning! Thanks to everyone for your support. We expect more than 200 Mainers to meet us for a Maine rally in advance of the bigger rally. Just a reminder, Mainers will be gathering at 11:00 a.m. at the World War II memorial. If you are in DC, we hope to see you there!

 

Saturday Evening and...We're Off!

You can see some pictures of our group as we gathered and boarded the bus in Portland, Maine here: http://tinyurl.com/c8ayup5

WCSH-6 came to see us off and talk to some of the folks riding the bus.

Follow our trip on Twitter @NRCMenvironment. You can follow the whole rally at #ForwardOnClimate.

More updates coming in the morning. As of this posting at 10:25 p.m., we have made it to Massachusetts and stopped to switch bus drivers. Our new driver, Lee, is a very strong supporter of climate action. We are sure he will get us to DC safe and sound by morning.

On the Road to Climate Action

by Emmie Theberge, NRCM Clean Energy Outreach Coordinator

I’m headed to D.C. this weekend with 30 NRCM members for the historic Forward on Climate rally. We will join tens of thousands of people from across the nation to march on Washington for climate action! 
 
This is going to be a momentous event. Whether you’re meeting us in D.C. or will be watching from home, you can follow the action on NRCM’s Facebook page, website, or Twitter feed. We will also be adding updates to this blog post, so come back often to learn the latest from the Forward on Climate Rally.
 
Will you be in D.C.?
 
Whether you’re coming from Maine or elsewhere, I hope to see you down there! More than 200 Mainers will be travelling down via bus, train, and carpools. We'll meet up at the National World War II memorial on Sunday from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. for a Maine climate gathering in advance of the big rally! I hope all those who love Maine will join us there!
 
Your photos will help us capture the excitement of the event and will help send the message, visually, that we want action on climate NOW! So please share your photos with us in real time or after we return! You can email them to nrcm@nrcm.org or share them on NRCM’s Facebook page.
 
Can’t make it?
 
If you can't make the trip to D.C. this weekend, you can still send a message to President Obama urging him to take action to combat climate change.
 
Climate change is the most important environmental problem we face. It is already having a devastating effect in Maine, the nation, and the planet. This demonstration is an opportunity to give our President and Congress the support they need to take bold action on climate change. Mainers spoke out loudly and clearly at the Portland tar sands rally last month, and now we are bringing that message to Washington, D.C.!
 
I cannot wait to be down there and feel the energy from this enormous climate movement. I know that I will be bringing with me the support of thousands of NRCM members and activists like you.

- Emmie Theberge, NRCM Clean Energy Outreach Coordinator

Tar Sands is Hot Topic on Cold January Day

by NRCM Public Affairs Coordinator Beth Dimond

I have lived in Maine my entire life, so I understand what a winter’s day is like. I have raced into the Atlantic Ocean in December for the past four years during NRCM’s Polar Bear Dip & Dash. So I understand what being very cold is like. But nothing prepared me for the freezing cold, windy day in Monument Square last Saturday. When I woke up and heard the wind outside, I was thinking that the arctic temperatures would keep people away from this event. Boy, was I ever wrong!

About 1,500 people gathered, marched, chanted, cheered, held signs, drummed, and listened to speakers talking about the many reasons why bringing tar sands oil through a 62-year-old pipeline across some of Maine’s most important waterways is a bad idea for Maine people and our environment.

We heard from U.S. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, Portland Mayor Michael Brennan, NRCM’s executive director Lisa Pohlmann and clean energy director Dylan Voorhees, and from  other groups working in Maine and across the region on climate change and tar sands oil issues, and from people who have this pipeline running through their backyards. All very inspiring and motivating, their words illustrated the numerous ways tar sands oil is a bad idea for Maine.  You can learn more about tar sands oil at www.nrcm.org/tarsands.asp.

I have worked for NRCM for 17 years and been part of some amazing events, but this may rank as the biggest, and most urgent! To see 1,500 people marching down Commercial Street toward the Maine State Pier was amazing. The signs that people carried were true works of art. There were babies, dogs, young people, elderly people, and they traveled here from all over Maine, New England, and Canada.  I don’t think anyone who participated in the planning expected this large a crowd. You could see the smiles from organizers as people kept arriving at Monument Square, signs in hand, ready to march.

If you were there, and would like to, please share your experience with us here on our blog. If you weren’t able to attend, please take a few minutes to view our slideshow of some of the many images from the day. If you have photos you would like to share with us, please email them to me at nrcm@nrcm.org and we can add them to the slideshow.

Thank you!

Beth Dimond, NRCM Public Affairs Coordinator

Related links:

Take action to keep tar sands from flowing through Maine.

Learn more about tar sands and the threat they pose to Maine's environment.

News stories and photos from the tar sands rally in Portland.

My blog post about this year's NRCM Polar Dip and Dash.

A Techie’s View of Maine’s Wildlife

Guest blog by NRCM member Bryan Wells of Old Town, Maine

 

My wife Pam and I own 1,100 acres of forested Maine property adjacent to Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. There are many mammals that call our property home. In winter, we see dozens of animal tracks from snowshoe hare to moose and bobcat. There are always signs of bear in the warm months, and we don’t want to forget porcupines that come down from the tops of trees for a bathroom break in the winter. After observing this large quantity of animal sign, I began to think about how cool it would be to locate motion-activated, infrared illuminated cameras in the woods so that I could actually see these critters rather than just their tracks. 
 
So began my adventure down the path of building the “best” motion-activated camera system to collect near theater-quality video of these critters to share with my family and friends.
 
There are several forums on the Internet to learn about building what are called “homebrew” camera systems. There are online stores where you can buy the parts necessary, and there are downloads with detailed instructions about how you modify off-the-shelf cameras such as Sony or Canon so they can work in one of these "homebrew" systems to ensure you get the very best video quality possible. For 10 years, I have explored many options. It’s amazing to think back to where I started, and to think about how technology has changed so much over these 10 years. In the very beginning, I was actually using Kodak film cameras. Nowadays, I can use DXG point-and-shoot cameras that record digital 720p HD video. 
 
Earlier this year, I was asked to field test a new camera system one of the forum members built by using the “GoPro Hero II” HD video camera. It would only record in the daytime, which is a limitation. It also did not have audio recording enabled and that is a big detractor since the audio often makes the difference for the very best videos. But even with these limitations, I was excited to give this camera a try. In general, it’s very hard to predict when and where any given animal is going to be. They choose their own paths and all you can do is make an informed guess and hope for the best. However, animals reuse certain trails, so you can look for these animals’ trails and place cameras in those areas. 
 
With this in mind, I searched for the best location for this new Hero camera system. I decided to accompany this new camera with one of my old DXG systems so that I could confirm with a backup homebrew system what animal actually passed the site. And with the DXG, I was able to record audio and nighttime video. By summer 2012, I had dozens of video clips on my DXG of critters passing the sites at night, but nothing was coming in the daytime. Occasionally, a Gray Jay would stop by the site, providing a brief glimpse at the quality of the daytime video, but overall, I was disappointed because I could not test the camera system to truly determine how well it performed. 
 
During deer hunting season, a friend of mine who hunts provided me with a deer carcass.  Suddenly my enthusiasm was reignited, because when using deer as bait, I can radically improve the odds of critters visiting the site in the day and night. A month went by, and I was not getting anything too exciting except for an occasional weasel or flying squirrel—and all at night. Then after 5 weeks, I checked my cameras and was overjoyed to see that in one week, I had daytime visitors that included a coyote, red fox, even a fisher! 
 
With this video in hand, I raced home and started the process of editing, sharpening, and generally improving the video so that I can share with others. The challenge was that I had more than an hour of video from all of these daytime visitors! I typically only share video clips that are 3 minutes long, to keep the viewer from getting bored. This time, I decided to keep all 7 minutes of video (click on link to watch full video), which is a lot of video. It was just so hard to decide what to discard. I was also able to use the DXG system to provide me with audio that I can overlay and synchronize with the GoPro video. 
 
One thing viewers will notice right off when comparing the DXG video to the GoPro video is the amazing quality of the GoPro video. The other thing the viewer will notice is the obvious presence of full-color in the Hero video and the very wide-angle lens on the GoPro. 
 
There are many settings on the GoPro I have yet to try out, but by using the deer carcass as bait, I am most assured of more opportunities in the future of critters visiting the site.  Most likely, I will see a bobcat before it’s all said and done. Once the deer bait becomes snow-covered and iced-in, it will take more and more determination for hungry critters to find and feed on the bait. It’s really amazing to think about what the struggle must be like for these carnivores to survive in the Maine wilderness through the winter. Since the snow was so late to arrive in the Milford area this year, I suspect most of these critters have had it pretty easy with plenty of grouse, turkey, and snowshoe hare to catch and eat. But in another month or so, the pickings are slim, and it's at these times that carnivores find and feed on whatever they can. 
 
My wife Pam has a photo blind directly behind my cameras, and this allows us to monitor the site for activity, at which time she can climb into her photo blind and wait to get the lucky opportunity to see, up close and personal, the life of Maine’s carnivores.
 
• For a look at the new video comparing the older DXG camera with the newer GoPro Hero camera, you can watch this video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfytPdVx0pc&feature=youtu.be
 
 
• To browse and view all of my favorite video clips, see this YouTube video playlist:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfytPdVx0pc&list=PL8F3184CEC3D6392E. Note that since the first video in the playlist is the new video, this link may be all you need to share.
 
Use the little “gear” at the lower right on the YouTube player to select the “720p HD” video quality to ensure you get the very best quality possible.  This will be slower download, so you may have to wait a bit to buffer the video before playing.
 
Enjoy!
 
Bryan

It's a Wonderful...Polar Plunge!

To tell my story in a compelling and seasonally appropriate way, I was planning to upload and show the part of It's a Wonderful Life where George Bailey jumps into the river. Because that's what I'll be doing on New Year's Eve. Unfortunately, that would constitute copyright infringement under 17 USC para. 501, according to the strongly worded letter I
recently received from Warner Brothers' law firm.

But that doesn't mean that on New Year's Eve I won't be emulating George Bailey: jumping into freezing cold water at exactly the wrong time of year in a desperate bid to save something important. In my case, it's not the Building and Loan, it's our planet. Something we all have a stake in.

The Natural Resources Council of Maine is hosting our 5th annual Polar Plunge to raise
money for our climate change advocacy. This is the 4th year that I am plunging into the balmy waters of Casco Bay to raise money for this important work. I hope you'll pledge a gift in support of my plunge.

You can join us at Portland's East End Beach at noon on New Year's Eve. You can also build up a head of steam by running in our 5k before you plunge!

If you prefer, you can pledge your favorite polar bear—and I hope that’s me! Thanks—and hope to see you December 31!

Related:
Watch our quick polar dip and dash video!

Join us for this year's Dip and Dash!

98.9FM WCLZ radio is our media sponsor again this year!

 

“Locally Written” Gift Ideas

by Allison Wells, Senior Director, Public Affairs

If you’re like me, you still have plenty of holiday shopping to do. After all, there’s nearly a full week to go before the Great Unwrapping. When it comes to purchasing presents, I buy locally made gifts as much as possible—and that includes “locally written.” Several NRCM members have some very lovely offerings this year.

Kristen Lindquist’s book of poems, Transportation, comes immediately to mind. Kristen is an avid birder—and so am I—so her bird references are especially appealing to me. I noted as I read in her poem, “How Baseball Saved My Marriage,” that while other writers might have simply referenced "birds" flying overhead, Kristen writes, “dozens of migrating/nighthawks flit over fields along the river…” For birders like me, this is the detail that places the scene in late-summer, every bit as essential as naming the Penobscot and other specifics that make the time and place vivid. This poem is one of my favorites in the book, so I was excited to hear it read on “The Writer’s Almanac with Garrison Keillor,” along with her poems “Transportation”  and “Full Moon.”  

Her phrase, “We all want to be good animals,” from her poem “Grandmother,” is something I now occasionally drop into my conversations—it really resonated with me. My favorite lines in the book, though, are in the poem, “Field Trip,” and perfectly exemplify the world we birders live in: “Though strangers, we talked easily, recalled the winter’s snowy owl//that had looked like a stone in this field, a living glacial erratic.” As birders know well, there’s nothing like birds, and birding, to turn strangers into acquaintances, often into friends.

To purchase copies of the book for you and the poets in your life, contact Kristen at kelindquist@gmail.com or Megunticook Press, 12 Mount Battie St., Camden, ME 04843.

Dancing Bear, a book of verse by NRCM member Diane Schetky, is more focused on nature itself. Diane gets tremendous enjoyment from sitting in one place and observing her natural surroundings. In “Beech Hill in November,” she writes, “The red oaks are naked/except for their topknots/burnished by the setting sun.//White birches stand out/against the pale meadow./Scratches on a canvas…”

Running through much of Diane’s work is a sort of “activism” that could be from the NRCM playbook. In “The Crumbs of Christmas” she writes, “The presents were blessedly/sensible and few. Gifts of/service and homemade treats…” She references the CFLs on her Christmas tree and writes, “I salvaged the wrapping paper/for another go round…” Her poem “Ode to Spring” is a great reminder of our legislative work protecting  vernal pools: “Sleepy frogs rise from the depths of a vernal pool./Torpid bodies climb onto thinning sheets of ice/that once protected them.//One by one, they come to life./Like popping kernels of corn/they hop to the sheltered shore…” One section of her book is called, “Our Endangered Earth,” which begins with the poem, “SOS:” “The world is tilting on an axis/in need of major repairs./Glaciers and permafrost shed/their dormant secrets....”

You can order Diane’s book online at http://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Bear-Other-New-Poems/dp/1469161524.

Then there are loons. In particular, Libby's Loons, a children's picture book by NRCM member Nancy Prince. The book portrays a loon family and is beautifully illustrated by watercolor artist Luanne Wrenn. To learn more about this lovely book, and about popular school programs provided by the author, visit her website at www.nancyprinceofmaine.com.

Some observations of nature are best made with a camera, especially if the photographer is NRCM member Ann Flewelling. Her book, A Moment of Water, features gorgeous images from Downeast to the Crown of Maine. Each image transports you to a quiet place, and each imparts the essential qualities of Maine’s waterways, for health, wildlife habitat, and peace of mind. And Ann’s journal-style entries add depth without distraction. Here are a few of my own favorite photos from the book: 

Bluff Head, Bagaduce Watershed

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cross Lake, Aroostook County

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snow Cove Preserve

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can purchase Ann’s book by visiting her website at http://www.annflewelling.com/a-moment-of-water.html. A portion of her proceeds from sales will support organizations working to protect Maine’s water resources, including the Natural Resources Council of Maine; Ann acknowledges NRCM’s work, the efforts of the Bagaduce Watershed Association, and others in her book.

If you enjoy birds and art, then Maine’s Favorite Birds is a book to consider. Written by yours truly and husband Jeff, an ornithologist, the book focuses on the birds you’re most likely to see here in Maine. It’s beautifully illustrated by artist Evan Barbour and includes identification tips, habitat information, song descriptions, places to go birding in Maine, and ways to put your sightings to use for science and conservation. NRCM is making this book available free through a special offer: Now through January 31, 2012, get a free copy of this book (signed by the authors, if you wish) with every new or gift membership!

The SunriseGuide is Maine’s resource and coupon book for healthy, earth-friendly living. It’s packed with articles and tips that keep you informed, plus hundreds of coupons to your favorite local businesses—restaurants, garden supplies, health & fitness, home improvements, and more, including to NRCM! The 2013 edition of the SunriseGuide (filled with more than $5,000 in coupons) is available at natural food stores, book stores, and other retail outlets - find a store near you).

Happy holidays to all, and to all a good read!

Related:

For green buying ideas, visit the NRCM website.

Read a review of Maine’s Favorite Birds. 

Dippers vs. Dashers: Why Not Do Both?

 

NRCM's Todd Martin and Abby King have a friendly rivalry going related to their participation in our annual Polar Dip and Dash.

There is an ongoing debate at NRCM's office as to who will be the most "Bold in the Cold" at our annual NRCM Polar Dip & Dash on Monday, December 31st in Portland. We have some folks who think jumping into the icy Atlantic Ocean is more daring, while others think running or walking a 5K in frigid weather is the bolder move. Read both sides of the debate here, and let us know what you think! And, show us that you can be the bravest of them all by participating as a walker/runner AND ocean plunger at this year's Dip & Dash! Register online today.

Dippers Are Better Than Dashers
by Todd Martin, NRCM Grassroots Outreach Coordinator

Global climate change has become the defining issue of my generation. As scientific evidence has mounted over the past few decades, it is clear that human activity is dramatically altering the Earth’s atmosphere and climate. By 2050, scientists predict that Maine’s climate will be similar to today’s climate in Washington D.C.! This has serious implications for Maine environment, economy, and future generations. We need to take immediate action to address climate change!

That’s why I am proud to be dipping in to the frigid Atlantic Ocean on December 31^st at the East End Beach in Portland as part of the NRCM Polar Dip and Dash!

In its 5^th year, the annual NRCM Polar Dip and Dash is a great opportunity to bolster NRCM’s work to combat climate change by advocating for energy efficiency, reducing dependence on oil, and supporting alternative energy. Participants have the option to either “dash” a 5k, “dip” in to the ocean, or both!

I will only be “dipping” in to the ocean. I think “dippers” are better than “dashers” for a couple of reasons. First, I believe taking the plunge in to the chilly ocean is more of a sacrifice than simply running a 5k. Second, I feel that taking the plunge is a chilling reminder that ocean levels are rising and the ocean is getting warmer and more acidic. As we continue to dump billions of tons of CO₂ in to the atmosphere each year, the Earth’s glaciers will continue to melt at an unprecedented rate and the Earth’s oceans will continue to become more acidic. Sea-level rise and ocean acidification pose serious threats, particularly to Maine, a state with the most coastline in the Northeast and with iconic industries that rely on the sea, namely fishing and lobstering. Finally, I will be “dipping” to swim in solidarity with polar bears and other critters whose Arctic habitat is shrinking.

Please join me in supporting the work of the Natural Resources Council of Maine to combat climate change by “dipping” in to the Atlantic Ocean on Monday, December 31^st at East End Beach in Portland. Details and registration information can be found on our website. I hope to see you there!

-Todd 

Why Dashers are Better Than Dippers
by Abby King, NRCM Toxics Policy Advocate 

I’m glad that Todd and many others will be jumping into the frigid Atlantic Ocean in a month. But I’m also glad to be showing my support for NRCM by dashing! Dippers are cool, but Dashers rule! By running I’ll be generating my own body heat. As opposed to the Dippers, who will only be making themselves colder and will need artificial heat to make themselves warm again. By running, I’m showing off the incredible energy efficiency of the human body! If only our mechanical and electrical energy systems we use on the roads and in buildings were as efficient as all of the Dashers will be on Dec 31^st! So next month, I’ll run to show my support for NRCM’s work to support energy efficiency projects all across Maine.

The human body is actually a very efficient engine – more efficient at turning chemical energy (food) into kinetic energy (running/motion) than your car’s mechanical engine, for example.  The average internal combustion engine operates at about 15% efficiency – meaning that 85% of the energy you put into the system in the form of gasoline ends up as waste heat or some other form of energy that doesn’t help propel your car forward. But when I run NRCM’s Polar Dip & Dash this year, my body will be turning energy from food and respiration into forward motion at about a 25% efficiency rate. Plus, the “waste” heat I create through that process will be helping to keep me warm on a cold winter day. I don’t think the Dippers can claim to be so efficient!

So – this year, I’m looking forward to dashing my way toward victory for NRCM’s energy project. Hope to see you there!

 -Abby

 

“Taking the Plunge” Before I “Take the Plunge”

by Beth Dimond, NRCM Public Affairs Coordinator

I am getting married. I have mentioned this in past blog posts, but we are now less than six months away from the big event, and I think the stress of wedding planning has finally gotten to me.

My friend Janine plunged last year and this year will plunge as one of my "bridesmaids."

Each year I swear it will be the last time I plunge into the icy Atlantic Ocean for NRCM’s annual Polar Bear Dip & Dash. I say, “NEVER AGAIN,” as I race in and out of the freezing cold water. I tell everyone how miserably cold I am. I even made a video of my screams as I ran into and out of the ocean on 2010.

Despite my complaints, I’ve done it for the last four years because it’s for a good cause, which is to raise awareness about and funds for NRCM’s important work to reduce climate-changing pollution. But last year, I told myself that after four years, I’d done my part.

But then Hurricane Sandy happened. It seems as if people are finally understanding that these destructive storms are being caused by climate change. It’s hard to ignore hurricanes that are hitting unusual locations with more force than ever before. I have been watching news reports of the devastation in New Jersey and New York and know that the residents the Jersey Shore, Staten Island, Long Island, and other low-lying areas of New York City are the ones who are suffering—not me. I may be cold for 30 seconds, but they have been cold and in the dark for weeks.

My fiance, Chris, and me

So, once again I signed up for this year’s NRCM Polar Bear Dip & Dash. Not only did I sign up…my fiancé (who NEVER goes in the ocean) signed up. My friends have signed up and purchased bridesmaid dresses. My friend has agreed to be the ringbearer (or is that ring “polar bear”er?) and another will be our “caterer” (hopefully supplying warm drinks for all of us).

They are all helping me to take the plunge on Monday, December 31st at noon before I “take the plunge” into marriage in May. We are thinking of it as a dress rehearsal before the real “big day.”

I thought having a dress rehearsal might help me avoid cold feet on the day of my wedding. But, since the dress rehearsal will be on a beach in the middle of winter, I am guessing that along with cold feet, I will have cold hands, cold arms, cold ears, cold legs, and cold…well, everything. I always thought I would like a beach wedding, but somehow, I had envisioned it on a white sand beach in the Caribbean, not a possibly snow-covered beach in Maine in 30-degree temperatures (if I am lucky it will be that warm!).

Consider this your formal invitation (no RSVP is necessary) to gather at East End Beach in Portland on Monday, December 31st at noon for my “wedding.” My gift registry is easy…visit www.nrcm.org/dipdash.asp and donate to one or more brave polar bears taking the plunge—to help support NRCM’s important work to reduce global warming pollution. That’s the best gift any bride could ask for. Thank you.