BTLT on the Radio, “Conserving Maine’s Islands: What’s Being Done to Protect Maine Islands from Climate Change & Threats”
Conserving Maine’s Islands: What’s Being Done to Protect Maine Islands from Climate Change & Threats
By Cindy Han
Angela Twitchell, BTLT’s Executive Director and the Chair of the Maine Land Trust Network was recently featured on Maine Public Radio’s Maine Calling alongside Tim Glidden, president of Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Suzanne MacDonald, Chief Community Development Officer of The Island Institute, and Sarah Demers, director of Land for Maine’s Future Program with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.
Climate change has the potential to wreak havoc on Maine’s coast and coastal islands. Since 1950, the sea level along the coast of Maine has risen eight inches and is continuing to rise at the rate of one inch every eight years. Warming waters and ocean acidification present additional challenges to those residing and making a living on Maine’s islands. Multiple efforts are underway to protect and conserve Maine’s coastal islands, beaches, marshes, bold coast, working harbors and more against erosion and damage from strong waves and storm surges. We discuss those threats and initiatives to increase access to the Maine coast for recreational use and commercial access.