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September 19
National park tourism in Maine injects $770 million
Report shows visitor spending supports 7,000 jobs
A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that visitors to national parks in Maine spent $490 million in 2021. The total of 4.1 million visits supported 7,070 jobs and had a cumulative economic output of $770 million. “National parks are a vital part of our nation’s economy,” said Deputy Regional Director Debbie Conway, “especially for park gateway communities where…
September 15
Mills offers relief for fishermen, ocean farmers
Federal funds reimburse cost of 2022 licenses
Amid high costs, Gov. Janet Mills announced that her administration is taking action to deliver relief for Maine’s commercial fishermen and ocean farmers. The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR)…
September 15
Ticks surviving cold, UMaine research finds
Leaf litter insulation, other factors studied
Winter cold may not be what’s keeping ticks from spreading north in Maine, a new University of Maine study finds. The research shows that blacklegged tick nymphs are able to…
September 14
Shelter from the storm
Jetty would ease beach erosion at Camp Ellis
Financial assistance may soon be on the way for construction of a new jetty off a breakwater at Camp Ellis in Saco in hopes of mitigating severe beach erosion the…
September 9
Reviving lobster pounds as oyster farms
Bremen’s Community Shellfish shows way forward
Few places exemplify the resilient and sustainable coastal communities than the aptly named Community Shellfish in Bremen. The seafood distributor connects local independent fishermen to a wider market hungry for…
September 7
Islands, Bar Harbor win grants
Portland, Thomaston also land DMR’s planning funds
The Department of Marine Resources has awarded $202,500 in Shore and Harbor Planning grants to Bar Harbor, Chebeague Island, Long Island, Thomaston, and the Greater Portland Council of Governments. These…
September 7
Peaks Island mariner joins Amelia Earhart search
Capt. Joe Litchfield reflects on seafaring life
The ship’s operation manager heard Capt. Joe Litchfield before he even reached the wheelhouse. It was midnight. The space smelled of cigarettes and coffee. Amadeus Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik began…
August 30
Friends of Casco Bay names new director
Will Everitt takes helm after 15 years with organization
Will Everitt has been hired as the executive director of Friends of Casco Bay after serving as the organization’s communications and development director for 15 years. Everitt, who was the…
August 30
Friends of Acadia names new leader
Workforce housing, climate resilience top priorities
With a shortage of affordable housing impacting the ability of Acadia National Park to hire enough seasonal workers, Friends of Acadia is making the issue a top priority. “If we…
August 30
Sharing the weight of rockweed science
Data needed on algae’s carbon-storing role
On a recent Wednesday morning, a small group of volunteers walked the shoreline in Lamoine with buckets, mesh bags, large square plastic picture frames, and fish-weighing scales. Carefully picking their…
Island Postcards
EPISODE 10: Keep the Light Shining
Two ambitious young women swam around the entire Island of Isle au Haut during the summer of 2019 to raise money for crucial renovations to the lighthouse.
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