(Member) Survey Says!

Late this fall, we received about 1,000 responses to our member survey. They were a delightful read. I devoured every word of them, responded to a handful that needed immediate attention, analyzed the data in its aggregate, and conveyed the information on to my fellow colleagues.

The surveys told me about you. They told me about your specific environmental interests and concerns. They told me why you generously donate to NRCM and what you trust we will do with those dollars.

They made me proud to work on your behalf. I’m so pleased to be at an organization that is able to bring together the voices of so many who share the same environmental ethics. And, I’m empowered by NRCM’s ability to take the strength of our numbers, and turn it into a line of defense for our treasured natural resources.

I wish I could share every thoughtful comment made by each and every member. NRCM members are the heart of the organization, enabling staff to carry out the work. NRCM members, like staff, have real passion to protect Maine’s air, water, forests, and wildlife. Just as interestingly, however, are that many opinions and priorities are shared across the board. Let me share some of the common trends with you. 

We asked you what the most pressing environmental issue is facing the state of Maine today? 

Fifty-three percent of you identified land conservation as the most pressing issue facing Maine’s environment. You described too much development of forests and open space as land conservation’s biggest threats (50 percent), followed by North Woods pressures (31 percent), urban sprawl (11 percent), and habitat destruction (four percent). Energy issues ranked second (25 percent of respondents) as an area of concern, with the biggest concern being climate change (41 percent), then clean energy sources (19 percent). Clean air and efficiency were also cited. Watershed concerns were especially high regarding clean water (62 percent), and fisheries issues also were noted. Fifty-four percent of you who listed toxic chemicals to be of highest concern cited the impact these poisons could have on our overall environment as being the biggest threat.

We asked you why you support NRCM, you told us:

NRCM is an effective advocacy organization (30%), members share NRCM’s environmental values (28%), and NRCM is focused on protecting the environment in Maine specifically (28%). Other responses included NRCM’s work for land preservation and most notably around the Moosehead Lake area, the organization’s role as watchdog of big business and the government, and the collective action of several voices.

We asked if you are satisfied with the broad range of issues that NRCM is working on, or are there other issues you believe should be a priority for our attention?

In response to this question, an overwhelming 81% of those who responded stated that they are satisfied with the issues that we work on now and wouldn’t recommend adding any additional projects. There were another 16.5% of respondents who are supportive of NRCM’s project areas of work but feel that there are additional issues that need our attention.

We asked you to rank project areas separately on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being “not important” and 5 being “extremely important.”  The vast majority of all members who responded to the survey ranked the project area as very important (either a 4 or a 5).

A. Toxics	Very Important
Ensuring the safe recycling of electronic waste which, if incinerated or sent o landfills, poses a toxic hazard to the environment.	86.8%
Promoting the responsibility of manufacturers to share in the cost and task of collecting and safely recycling consumer products and packaging.	84.2%
Ensuring that Maine phases out toxic chemicals that are found in children’s products such as baby bottles, toys, etc.	81.6%
B. Working to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, promote clean energy, and cut climate changing pollution.	Very Important
Promoting increased funding and improved programs for energy efficiency, to make it easier for homeowners and businesses to reduce wasted energy.	85.1%
Promoting appropriately-sited wind power projects and other renewable energy sources to help reduce pollution and our dependence on fossil fuels.	84.1%
Coordinating large-scale outreach to Maine citizens in support of congressional action to reduce global warming pollution.	82.1%
C. Safeguarding and restoring the water quality and health of Maine’s rivers.	Very Important
Cleaning up the Androscoggin River.	87.6%
Opening up the Kennebec and Penobscot Rivers to native sea-run fish, through dam removal and improved fish passage.	80.9%
Restoring alewife populations on the St. Croix River.	71.1%
D. Defending Maine’s North Woods from excessive development and sprawl.	Very Important
Continuing to fight Plum Creek’s proposed development in the Moosehead Lake region.	91.6%
Advocating for landscape-scale conservation in the North Woods.	91.9%
Promoting creation of more wilderness areas in Maine.	84.9%

Thank you for sharing with us your highest concerns regarding our natural resources and how NRCM best works to address these concerns on your behalf. Together, we make a real difference.

- Stacie Haines, Membership Manager

Comments

[O.C.]

Great post as always. I will read your other posts. Also love your writing style;) Thanks.