Our Mission

To Preserve the Communities, Cultures, and Environmental Integrity of Rural Maine.

Active Objectives

We are committed to helping rural communities protect the places, traditions, and ecologies that sustain their ways of life in the face of industrial-scale energy development. Right now, our efforts focus on two major projects: the Northern Maine Renewable Energy Transmission Line Proposal and the Sears Island Windport Proposal. While these projects aim to boost electric capacity, if not carefully planned and executed, they risk disrupting Maine’s timberlands, farms, and natural habitats—areas vital to local economies, carbon storage, and biodiversity. 

Who We Are

We started as a group of Maine residents concerned about the far-reaching impacts of industrial redevelopment projects in our state. As we studied the proposed transmission line, we uncovered more legislation and projects on the horizon that would dramatically reshape Maine’s forests, agricultural lands, and waterways. Our mission is to ensure that socioeconomically disadvantaged rural communities, which often bear the brunt of these developments, have a seat at the table. We aim to empower them to voice their concerns and play an active role in shaping decisions that will influence their future. 

Why We Care

Maine’s rural landscapes—from its forests to its farmlands—are critical not only to the state’s economy but to the nation’s, as well. These areas provide timber, seafood, clean water, and agricultural products that contribute to national food security and economic vitality. But beyond resources, rural Maine holds a rich cultural heritage, one built on strong community ties and a deep relationship with the natural environment. As industrial projects and urbanization increasingly encroach on these spaces, we risk losing not just the land, but also the values and traditions that define rural life.

Preserving rural Maine means preserving a place where people live in connection with nature. It offers an essential refuge in an era of rapid urbanization and environmental degradation. By standing up for these communities, we affirm the importance of a lifestyle grounded in sustainability, respect for nature, and the well-being of future generations.

Did you know?

7600
Farms

Maine is home to 7,600 farms covering over 1,300,000 acres. Maine is the number 2 state in the U.S. for organic farms with 37 organic farms per 100,000 people.

17,518,847
Forested Acres

89% of Maine is covered by forest, nearly the same area that was estimated when forest inventories first began in 1959.