In April 2026, the NRCM Board of Directors selected Justin Strasburger, a well-respected leader of impact-driven organizations, as our next Executive Director. In this episode, Colin speaks with Justin about why he’s so excited about advancing the unique role NRCM plays as a fearless watchdog for Maine’s environment and mobilizing the power of everyday people coming together to build a lasting legacy through policy and systems change.

**Show links: New E.D. Announcement

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A new Maine law will allow residents to install compact plug-in solar panels in their home or apartment with the help of a qualified electrician. Plug-in solar opens the door for every Mainer, regardless of their income or housing type, to take steps toward energy independence without unnecessary utility barriers. In this episode, Colin speaks with Beth Woolfolk of the local climate action group A Climate to Thrive who was a driving force behind passage of this exciting new affordable clean energy solution.

**Show links: A Climate To Thrive website, Blog-What You Need to Know About Maine’s Plug-in Solar Law

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Spring marks one of the truly remarkable feats of nature we get to experience in Maine: the annual return of sea-run fish to our rivers and streams. One of the most iconic species is Atlantic salmon, an endangered fish with a long history and connection to our land and the Wabanaki Nations who have stewarded these places for time immemorial. In this episode, Colin speaks with state fisheries biologist Jennifer Noll about the heroic collaborative efforts to restore Atlantic salmon in Maine.

**Show links: DMR Atlantic salmon page, Salmon for Maine’s Rivers conservation project

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Hear from experts at the Natural Resources Council of Maine about the bills we are tracking in the 2026 legislative session to will advance climate action and protect Maine's forests, wildlife, waters, and outdoors. Getting involved at the Legislature – either by listening to this recorded webinar, sending in comments in support of bills, or joining us at the State House -- is a great way to make a difference as Maine’s environment is facing attacks by the Trump Administration.

**Show links: NRCM Bill Tracking webpage, NRCM events

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Jackson Chadwick of Maine Youth for Climate Justice and Rockland City Councilor Nate Davis speak to Colin about the proposal to create a Maine Climate Superfund. Mainers across the state are paying the price for destructive storms and flooding made worse by climate change. This year, lawmakers have the chance to provide relief by creating a Climate Superfund that would help towns rebuild after climate-fueled storms by requiring the world’s largest oil and gas companies to pay for their fair share of climate damage.

**Show links: Maine Youth for Climate Justice, Nate Davis Bangor Daily News op-ed

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Christi Elliott has been called a powerful force for outdoor recreation in Maine. Born in Machias, Christi founded Maine Women Hunters as a welcoming place for like-minded women to learn and join in the fun of hunting and fishing. A strong voice for hunting and conservation, Christi’s new book Always Game documents her journey. In this episode of Voices for Maine’s Environment, Christi speaks with Colin about the important role hunting and fishing play in Maine’s conservation community.

**Show links: Always Game published by Islandport Press, Maine Women Hunters Facebook group, Christi Elliott webpage

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Connection, community, joy. These are all essential ingredients as we come together to confront the environmental challenges confronting our world, nation, and state. In this episode, we speak with Sophie Davis and Luke Fatora from Halcyon, an artists collective in Midcoast Maine working to inspire environmental stewardship through music and arts. Their newest multimedia project, The Future is Here, will feature the stories and actions of Maine people who are working on the ground to build creative, regenerative, and resilient communities in response to the climate crisis.

**Show links: Halcyon

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Last week, the Nature Conservancy announced it has reached an agreement for the purchase of the four Kennebec dams between Waterville and Skowhegan, an essential step toward their eventual removal and a multi-year restoration process in close collaboration with local communities and businesses. To get a sense of what’s possible when rivers flow free, Colin speaks with Steve Brooke, retired Senior Planner from the Maine State Planning Office and Trout Unlimited member who also served as project coordinator with the Kennebec Coalition during the removal of Edwards Dam.

**Show links: nature.org/kennebec

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