Dear John,

Spring is here, and with it comes the first anniversary of our weekly Lunch & Learn series. When we put together an online, noontime event on spring birds last April, we had no idea how this program would evolve and thrive. Thank you for building this wonderful community with us each week, asking such insightful questions, and taking action on the issues we’ve explored together. It’s really something!

This month’s calendar includes briefings on crucial climate and conservation bills that were prioritized by Maine’s Environmental Priorities Coalition, a panel discussion with Indigenous women from around the world, and—of course—a very special program on spring birds.

We hope to see you this month!

Friday, April 2, 12-1pm: Phasing Out Toxic PFAS Chemicals

• Toxic PFAS — chemicals used in thousands of everyday products including cookware, clothing, food packaging, textiles, and car seats — are contaminating our lands and waters, threatening public health, and burdening municipalities with expensive cleanup. State Rep. Lori Gramlich of Old Orchard Beach has introduced legislation to phase out use of PFAS where safer alternatives exist and to require manufacturers to pay a reporting fee to fund source-reduction and remediation. Rep. Gramlich; Gail Carson, the director of the Buck Lab for Climate and Environment at Colby College; and Sarah Woodbury, the director of advocacy at Defend Our Health will share their work to stop contamination of these PFAS "forever chemicals" at the source — and how you can help their efforts this session. Phasing out PFAS is a priority of Maine’s Environmental Priorities Coalition! Learn more about the EPC’s 2021 agenda here, and stay tuned for upcoming Lunch & Learns on other priority bills. Register here!

Friday, April 9, 12-1pm: Advancing Equitable Recycling Reform with Extended Producer Responsibility

• Product packaging, including plastic, cardboard, glass, and metal, makes up 30-40% of the materials managed by municipal waste management programs and costs municipalities about $17 million a year to manage. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging would make manufacturers — not Maine taxpayers — responsible for the cost of recycling those materials, making recycling more effective, sustainable, and equitable. Join us as State Rep. Nicole Grohoski of Ellsworth and Sarah Nichols, the Sustainable Maine Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine, discuss the challenges facing Maine's municipal recycling programs, EPR's record of success around the world, and how you can help advance recycling reform in Maine. Saving Maine’s municipal recycling programs is a priority of Maine’s Environmental Priorities Coalition! Learn more about the EPC’s 2021 agenda here, and stay tuned for upcoming Lunch & Learns on other priority bills. Register here!

Friday, April 16, 12-1pm: Justice for Women | The Impact of Climate Change on Indigenous Women Around the World

• Every year, the Justice for Women Lecture Series (JFW) brings a distinguished speaker to Maine for a week to present a public lecture and to contribute to a global conversation about justice for women and girls in the developing world as well as in Maine. This year, MCV's Lunch & Learn series is delighted to collaborate with the Justice for Women program to offer a panel discussion with some of the 2021 Justice for Women speakers. Moderated by Cathy Lee of Lee International, hear from Ruth Miller, Director for Climate Justice, Native Movement, Alaska, and Christina Henriksen, head of Saami Council, Norway on the impact of climate change on Indigenous Women around the world. Register here!

Friday, April 23, 12-1pm: Spring Birds in Maine

• Did 2020 turn you into a birdwatcher? Us too. Judy Camuso, Commissioner of Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, will join us to talk about Maine's spring birds. We’ll learn together about how to attract them to our yards, how to identify them, and how climate change is impacting what birds we are seeing and when. Register here!

Friday, April 30, 12-1pm: Advancing the Climate Action & Equity Act in the Maine Legislature

• Decisions by Maine’s Public Utilities Commission have the potential to advance a low-carbon future, in line with the state’s Climate Action Plan and climate law—but current law requires the PUC to prioritize low rates and reliable service without regard for climate, health, and equity priorities. Join us as State Rep. Vicki Doudera of Camden, Islesboro, & Rockport and Jeff Marks, Maine State Director at Acadia Center, discuss proposed legislation to add climate and environmental justice to the PUC’s mandate and advance the action called for in Maine’s Climate Action Plan. Aligning the Public Utilities Commission with climate and equity goals is a priority of Maine’s Environmental Priorities Coalition! Learn more about the EPC’s 2021 agenda here, and stay tuned for upcoming Lunch & Learns on other priority bills. Register here!

I’m very much looking forward to continuing to spend Friday afternoons with you.

--Will