Explore Maine! with help from the Natural Resources Council of Maine Discover New Places to Hike, Bike, Swim, & More Enjoy Books & Blogs by NRCM Members Explore Maine—There’s Lots More Inside! Just in time for your summer planning, welcome to Explore Maine 2018! In this year’s edition, we put the spotlight on some of our staff, board, and members’ favorite coastal locations, to help raise awareness about the threat offshore oil drilling would pose to Maine’s economy and way of life. But when it comes to enjoying the season, don’t stop at the coast when there’s so much more to Maine. Be sure to consult our online Explore Maine map (see page 8), your interactive guide to special places protected with help from the Land for Maine’s Future program—shorelines, rail trails, and much more. The map can also help you choose from dozens of spectacular Public Reserved Lands for paddling, camping, shing, wildlife watching, and a wide range of other outdoor activities. We’ve assembled a stellar reading list for you, with new and newly discovered books and blogs by NRCM supporters. Our list includes guides to edible mushrooms, animal tracks, even rural landscapes. Memoirs, self- improvement through nature, poetry, children’s books—there’s something for everyone on this year’s Good Reads list. Our new NRCM t-shirt will help you enjoy summer in style. We’ve got NRCM caps, too, and wait until you see— and hold—our new mugs! All proceeds from these items go 100 percent in support of our work protecting Maine’s environment. Thank you for caring, and for all you do to help keep Maine a special place to live, work, and play. —Allison Wells, Editor, Senior Director of Public Affairs Gear Up with NRCM what’s inside: Favorite Coastal Places Good Reads by NRCM Members Picks for Exploring with Kids Sporting Camp Discount LOTS MORE! NRCM Rising Sea Kayaking in Casco Bay Explore MAINE 2018 Protecting the Nature of Maine Adventure with Us Paddling, hiking, wildlife watching, cross- country skiing—we enjoy spending time in Maine’s great outdoors, and you’re invited to join us! Visit our website to see what’s coming up, at nrcm.org. T-shirts Our beautiful new tee features original artwork by Maine artist Jon Luoma*. Made of organically grown cotton. Unisex and ladies. $25 + tax and shipping. *NRCM member Jon Luoma will be the featured artist at Stable Gallery August 9 – September 12. 28 Water Street, Damariscotta. Learn more at stablegallerymaine.com Mugs Features a gorgeous Maine photo by NRCM member Walter Mugdan and a quote by Rachel Carson. Ceramic, holds 15 ounces, rm handle ts all four ngers for a sturdy grip. $15 + tax and shipping. And don’t forget... Caps Cool and comfy 100% cotton twill cap with antique brass strap closure. In khaki and in black. $15 + tax and shipping. Totes Skip the plastic bags, take our tote instead! Sturdy canvas with strong handles. $10 + tax and shipping. Hiking Bernard Mountain, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument NRCM Rising Belfast sailing cruise Androscoggin River Paddle Skiing at KWW National Monument Puffin cruise to Eastern Egg Rock aboard the Hardy Boat NEW! E.Theberge/NRCM E.Theberge/NRCM A.Wells/NRCM T. Martin/NRCM S. Janeway/NRCM Become an NRCM member and receive our Explore Maine publication chock full of recommended reads and other tips to help you enjoy Maine this fall! Best of all, you’ll be helping protect the Maine you love. You’ll find more than special places to enjoy the nature of Maine: lakes, mountains, coastal beaches, ponds, and more. Discover them at nrcm.org and explore Maine! Looking for places to hike, bike, swim, paddle, and more? VISIT OUR EXPLORE MAINE MAP! PHOTO CREDIT: KEVIN HARDWICK insights 94 p o r t l a n d monthly maga ine billion-dollar industry. I don’t think people realize that the U.S. plans to pour $164 bil- lion into increasing petroleum-based plas- tic production in the near future–that’s a 36-percent growth.” However, she remains confident the coalition’s research could turn the tide in the same way that biomark- er science toppled the monopoly of the to- bacco industry. Shaw doesn’t believe people will turn away from deadly human health risks the way they once turned from dying seal pups. he native Texan finds Maine to be the ideal spot to conduct local stud- ies with a global scope along with her female-dominated team of research sci- entists. “It’s a beautiful place, but there’s trouble in paradise. The Gulf of Maine is the second-fastest warming area in the world behind the polar caps. This means our food sources are moving northward, including lobster. Lobsters are the heart- beat of this area, and they’re leaving. Over 40 percent of marine mammals are facing extinction. How far can this go on before life as we know it is interrupted? The plan- et will not be able to survive without func- tional, life-supporting oceans.” Despite the chilling outlook of a warm- ing world, Susan Shaw, like Rachel Carson, is a firm believer in the human capacity to change for the better. “We’re at the end of the fossil fuel age, and sure, we’re expe- riencing all the consequences of this An- thropocene period. But we’re also on the brink of a new age of awareness. Solar en- ergy is going to displace fossil fuel—and soon. It’s a cheaper and better alternative. The market will drive this change. I see a future that is very positive. The question is, can we get there?” ■ adoBe - akr10