saltmarsh sparrow

Maine Adds Eight New Species To State's Endangered and Threatened Species List

Eight new species were added to Maine's Endangered and Threatened Species list, including five birds, one bat, one bee, and a beetle. Two of these species, the saltmarsh sparrow and Ashtons cuckoo bumble bee, are listed as Endangered, and the other six as Threatened.

A barred owl with large dark eyes perched on a branch in a tree with bright green leaves.

Black-capped Chronicle Issue 12 Summer 2023

A new (and final) issue of the Maine Bird Atlas’ newsletter, Black-capped Chronicle, is now available!

A white-tailed buck with antlers is seen through colorful autumn leaves.

Look Beyond the Leaves

A patient look beyond the leaves reveals truly magical moments of Maine's wildlife in autumn.

Purple blooming flowers as far as the eye can see across a grassland.

One Million Purple Plants

Late summer pours a tide of purple flowers across the sandplain grassland of Kennebunk Plains Wildlife Management Area.

spotted salamander

Maine Amphibian & Reptile Atlas Project Final Year

Accurate mapping of reptiles and amphibians is a challenge, but community scientists can make important contributions through the Maine Amphibian and Reptile Atlas Project (MARAP).

Great blue heron landing on tree branch with stick in its bill.

Excitement is Building as the Heron Observation Network Enters Year 15!

Our 2022 results show a slight increase in the number of nesting pairs of great blue herons in Maine, the first time since 2015. We are gearing up for our 15th year of monitoring heron colonies with the help of so many AMAZING volunteers. We will also be conducting an aerial survey to bolster our numbers and hopefully find some new colonies. Spring is coming!

marten tracks

Tips for Tracks

Winter is the best time to learn to identify and interpret wildlife sign. Here are some tips to get started.

red fox hunting in snow

Strategies for the Snowy Season

As the days get shorter, temperatures drop, and snow begins to fall, how do you plan to spend the winter? Just like people, wildlife uses several winter survival strategies.

crew member using a drip torch

Fired Up about Conservation

The first Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (TREX) to be held in the Northeast brought collaboration, mentorship, outreach, and fire to the sandplain grassland of Kennebunk Plains Wildlife Management Area. Prescribed burns are tactically designed with two main objectives: restore ecosystem function and decrease uncontrollable wildfire risk.

MDIFW Biologists conducting wood turtle surveys

Wading for Wood Turtles

MDIFW Biologists conduct wood turtle surveys to verify and track occurrences of the Species of Concern, improve knowledge of habitat use and home range, and effectively map them for conservation planning.