Maine Climate News
Land Returned to Mi'kmaq Nation
A nearly 3,400-acre parcel of land near Bridgewater, called Mesgilg Maqamigew, has been returned to the Mi'kmaq Nation. This territory will more than double the tribe’s land.
This land return is part of Tributary Land Returns, a larger effort involving the five Wabanaki Nations and partner organizations to return land to Wabanaki communities.
The property includes forests, wetlands, and a section of North Whitney Brook. The Mi'kmaq Nation plans to use the land for hunting, fishing, basket weaving, recreation, and teaching these traditional practices to future generations of Mi'kmaq youth.
Source: Portland Press Herald
Lawsuit Over Water Quality Ratings on the Androscoggin River
Friends of Merrymeeting Bay is suing the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for failing to update the water quality classification of a section of the Androscoggin River.
The lawsuit alleges that, by not upgrading the river’s classification, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection is violating the Clean Water Act.
The section of river named in the lawsuit is currently classified as Class C, but Friends of Merrymeeting Bay says its water quality monitoring has consistently shown that the water meets Class B standards.
Sources: Maine Public
New England Aquarium Opposes Proposed Vessel Speed Deregulation
The New England Aquarium has sent a letter to NOAA Fisheries opposing efforts by the National Marine Fisheries Service to weaken vessel speed limits.
These speed limits have been in place since 2008 to help protect the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale.
As of 2026, only about 380 North Atlantic right whales remain. Between 2020 and 2025, there were 22 reported vessel collisions involving right whales.
Jessica V. Redfern, Associate Vice President of Ocean Conservation Research at the New England Aquarium, said vessel speed limits should remain in place to help protect this vulnerable whale population.
Source: The New England Aquarium, Maine Public, and Smithsonian Magazine
New Grant Program Supports the Health of Maine Forests
Maine's new WoodsWISE Resilience Program is offering landowners up to $20,000 in reimbursements for projects in three categories: early stand tending, regeneration support, and forest health.
Eligible projects include thinning trees to improve forest health, removing certain tree species to reduce the risk of fungus and disease, controlling invasive plants, and other forest management practices.
Landowners with 10 or more forested acres are eligible to apply. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is prioritizing underserved landowners by offering up to 90% reimbursement for eligible projects. Other landowners may receive up to 60% reimbursement.
Source: Maine Public
