Environmental Organizations Unveil Policy Guide for Maine’s Next Leaders

"Meeting the Moment" weaves policy priorities for land and water protections, healthy people, affordable energy, Wabanaki sovereignty, and improved government systems into a 5-year blueprint for action

AUGUSTA, ME - More than a dozen leading environmental and community health organizations released a comprehensive policy guide today, aimed at educating the public and future lawmakers about the challenges and opportunities ahead. Meeting the Moment: An Environmental Policy Guide for Maine 2026-2031 outlines 5 areas of focus and 46 specific and concrete policy actions to promote the health of Maine's natural resources and support the wellbeing and economic prospects of people and communities across the state.

"Maine's future leaders will be stepping into a critical moment for our environment, our health, and the future we're leaving to our children and grandchildren," said Maureen Drouin, Executive Director of the Maine Conservation Alliance. "We believe the policy actions outlined here reflect a significant opportunity. Together, we can protect Maine's land and waters, support healthy and prosperous communities, recognize Wabanaki sovereignty, generate clean and affordable energy, and make sure our government works for everyone - now and into the future."

Each of the focus areas in Meeting the Moment includes 8 - 12 specific policies and investments that can be acted upon immediately and over the next 5 years to create lasting change.

Meeting the Moment opens with a focus on "Land, Water, and Wildlife for Future Generations." It notes the tremendous economic and recreational value of Maine's natural environment, as well as the growing pressures related to development and climate change. Key policy actions include protecting scenic and recreational waters, preserving diverse wildlife habitats, and conserving more of Maine's natural and working lands.

"Maine's natural heritage defines us," said Eliza Townsend, Director of the Appalachian Mountain Club - Maine Chapter. "The value of Maine's land, water, and wildlife to our economy and our way of life is undeniable. Conserving land, protecting water quality and wildlife habitat, and preserving public access to trails, waters, and Maine's North Woods has got to be a priority. We need to make sure the next generation of young Mainers has the same opportunities to make a living and enjoy their free time in Maine's great outdoors."

"Healthy and Prosperous Communities" is the second area of focus in the guide and highlights the interconnected nature of Maine's environment with the health of children, adults, and local economies. It calls out the importance of holding polluting industries accountable for the harms they cause and making sure our communities have the resources they need to promote good health and preserve outdoor traditions. Key policy actions include creating more opportunities for outdoor education and experiences, ensuring safe water and food, and supporting well-planned housing and commercial development.

"Change is going to happen. It's how we prepare for and navigate change that will determine the health and prosperity of our communities," said Nancy Smith, CEO of GrowSmart Maine. "Every community in Maine can benefit from a collaborative planning process that guides its development, preserves open space, encourages outdoor activities, prevents pollution, and supports economic development for future generations. Maine's next leaders have an important role to play in helping every community be healthy, prosperous, and prepared."

Meeting the Moment calls for Maine's future leaders to make "Sovereign Wabanaki Nations" a top priority in the coming year. It names the inherent unfairness in current Maine law and the resulting barriers and inequities faced by the Wabanaki Nations in purchasing land, regulating hunting and fishing, protecting drinking water, and integrating cultural practices within tribal laws. Key policy actions include the restoration of self-governance under Maine law, the teaching of Wabanaki history and culture, and the reunification of Wabanaki people with their ancestral lands and waters.

"The Wabanaki were the first peoples of this land," said Maulian Bryant, Executive Director of the Wabanaki Alliance. "The Wabanaki Nations have a more restrictive status than all other federally recognized tribes in the United States. This has resulted in lagging economic growth and missed opportunities for both tribal and non-tribal citizens, including thousands of lost jobs and millions of dollars in lost tax revenue. Restoring self-determination to the Wabanaki Nations is about doing what's right, and it's long overdue."

"Clean and Affordable Energy" is the fourth focus area in Meeting the Moment. It recognizes the tremendous burden of energy costs on people and businesses in Maine, and it calls for actions that make energy more affordable, sustainable, and less polluting. Key policy actions include common-sense requirements and incentives to lower energy costs, as well as investments in new clean energy infrastructure and a more connected, climate-friendly transportation system.

"Too many people in Maine are struggling to afford their energy bills," said Jack Shapiro, Climate & Clean Energy Program Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. "Maine's next leaders can make energy more affordable for everyone by building a more flexible electric grid, getting more low-cost clean energy online, and holding utilities accountable for producing better results, not just more profits. We already know what's needed - it's time to achieve the energy goals we already have in place in Maine's Climate Action Plan."

The final section of Meeting the Moment is called "A Government that Works for Everyone." It lays out an aspirational vision for how people in Maine can work together in the years ahead to increase satisfaction and civic pride in the decisions made together and for the common good. Key policy actions include creating a formal structure for youth to advise policymakers, modernizing democratic systems for connecting and problem-solving, and building statewide capacity to support communities and protect Maine's natural environment.

"When government is structured to put people and communities first, it's good for our democracy and good for our environment," said Amy Eshoo, Director of Maine Climate Action Now. "Maine has a culture of coming together as neighbors to tackle problems and do what's right. These collaborative instincts will be more valuable than ever in the years ahead. The reality is, community issues are often environmental justice issues, and better outcomes will result when we work together, across generations and life experiences, to connect the dots and prioritize the meeting of everyone's basic needs."

Meeting the Moment also includes a framework through which future policy proposals can be assessed for their alignment with the values reflected in the guide and for their impact on the health and vibrancy of people, communities, and Maine's natural environment.

Drouin added, "As we meet this moment, our public policies can and must respond to our changing world, reflect our shared values, and use our environmental resources wisely. We hope readers are inspired to join us in tackling Maine's most serious environmental challenges head on and working toward a more just, equitable, and sustainable future for all."

Appalachian Mountain Club Maine Chapter | Defend our Health | GrowSmart Maine | Maine Audubon | Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Maine Climate Action Now | Maine Conservation Alliance | Maine Council of Churches | Maine Lakes | Maine Environmental Education Association
Maine Medical Association | Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners | Maine Public Health Association | Maine Youth for Climate Justice
Physicians for Social Responsibility Maine Chapter | Natural Resources Council of Maine | Sierra Club Maine