Dear John,

 

In last month’s amazing Lunch & Learn with IF&W Commissioner Judy Camuso, she shared that even on the worst days of the pandemic she felt better by getting outside and seeing the same birds returning from the previous year. 2020 got me into birding more than ever before but my real passion is gardening, especially cut flowers. It has been the daffodils smiling at me on my daily walks and my seedlings peeping out from under the grow lights that have helped keep me centered this year.

 

This month’s Lunch & Learn calendar includes briefings on crucial climate and conservation bills that were prioritized by Maine’s Environmental Priorities Coalition, an explainer on what is going on with the Supreme Court this year, and an introduction to the wonderful world of astronomy.

 

We hope to see you at one or all of our online events this month!

 

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

 

--Will

Friday, May 7, 12-1 PM: Invest in Land, Water, and Parks

 

Land conservation has significant benefits for public health; forestry, farming, fishing, and our outdoor economy; carbon sequestration and storage; and wildlife protection. For 30 years, the Land for Maine's Future (LMF) program has helped conserve our natural resources, secure public access to beloved places, and protect more than 600,000 acres spanning all 16 counties. Unfortunately, LMF has not been adequately funded in more than a decade and has run out of funding at a time when demand for access to outdoor recreation is skyrocketing. Join State Senator Cathy Breen and leaders from Maine's conservation community, including Betsy Cook, Maine State Director of the Trust for Public Land; Jenny Kordick, Executive Director of Maine Outdoor Brands; Ellen Griswold, Policy and Research Director, Maine Farmland Trust; and Ben Martens, Executive Director of the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association to learn about LMF's outstanding record of success — and how you can help secure much needed funding for the program. Register here!

 

Investing in LMF 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. 

Friday, May 14, 12-1 PM: Exploring the Night Sky

 

With Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument designated as the first International Dark Sky Place in the state of Maine and New England, we are uniquely positioned in Maine to explore the galaxy from our own backyards. Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Astronomy Center at the University of Maine, will join us to talk about the Center's work, give us all a primer on astronomy, and suggest what to look for this summer in the night sky.

Friday, May 21, 12-1 PM: Preparing for the Impacts of Sea Level Rise

 

Sea level rise is one of the most pressing challenges facing the state of Maine. Join Melanie Loyzim, Commissioner of Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection; Representative Lydia Blume; and Nick Battista, Senior Policy Officer at the Island Institute to learn more about the Maine Legislature’s efforts to analyze the impacts of sea level rise.

 

Preparing for the Impacts of Sea Level Rise 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, May 28, 12-1 PM: Unpacking the 2020-2021 United States Supreme Court Term

 

The 2020-2021 Supreme Court term marks the beginning of a new era for the Court. With the addition of Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett, lawyers, journalists, and court watchers are all trying to make sense of what the new composition of the Court will mean for a whole host of issues. James Romoser, Editor of SCOTUSblog, which provides independent news and analysis about the Supreme Court, will join us to cover the major cases that the Supreme Court has decided and preview the major cases yet to be decided. 

 

This event is being cosponsored by the ACLU of Maine, Equality Maine, Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Maine Women’s Lobby, League of Women Voters of Maine, and the Maine Education Association.

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