Maine Innovation Benefits the World
When it comes to climate change work, Maine has plenty of insight to offer and lessons to learn. Our local efforts contribute to global solutions.
Recently, TNC in Maine has been applying the expertise we built working to restore the Penobscot River to river conservation in Africa and Europe. When the European Union committed to restoring 25,000 river kilometers by 2030, our involvement was credited with helping shape that remarkable goal—a prime example of how Maine innovation can benefit the world.
We are applying what we’ve learned from TNC collaborations with Indigenous Peoples around the world to our local partnerships with the Wabanaki, and the knowledge acquired creating water funds in South America now guides our work to protect the Sebago Lake watershed. Through TNC’s global network, international insights are informing our work here at home.
As an international organization, TNC can connect local expertise to global solutions. At every scale, we need to think, plan and act together to address the climate crisis.
How We’re Supporting TNC's Work Around the World
Maine is an exceptional place to plan and prepare for climate change. Our extraordinary ecosystems provide opportunities to lessen the extent and adapt to the consequences of this escalating crisis, and our local efforts are vitally connected to the search for global solutions.
Restoring Europe's Free-Flowing Rivers
In both Europe and the U.S., dams pose one of the greatest threats to healthy, resilient rivers and the ecosystem services they provide. Using expertise gained from the Penobscot restoration initiative, TNC Maine's Joshua Royte works with TNC's Balkans team to train staff and partners in dam removal science, policy and practice.
Supporting Sustainable Fishing
TNC Maine grants helped fill a gap in funding for TNC's work in the Dominican Republic to achieve sustained biodiversity conservation, maintain and restore critical ecosystems and realize tangible improvements in community well-being.
Maine Supports India’s First Water Fund
Access to safe drinking water is a major challenge in India. Because the best way to naturally provide clean drinking water is to ensure clean upstream headwaters and the forests that protect them, TNC in India is developing a water fund project in Pune that empowers downstream water consumers to invest in upstream conservation.
Developing Low-Carbon Power
Gabon is a conservationist’s dream, but national leaders have set ambitious aspirations for sustainable growth. With funding from Maine trustees, TNC Maine staff collaborated with colleagues in Gabon to develop a custom tool to plan hydropower development that can supply low-carbon electricity while minimizing impacts on natural ecosystems.
What Maine's Global Success Looks Like
Maine is an exceptional place to plan and prepare for climate change, and our local efforts are vitally connected to the search for global solutions. As part of our Join Maine campaign, we are working to ensure these critical successes by 2024:
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Increase from 3% to 8%
the Maine staff time dedicated to supporting projects beyond New England.
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At Least $7 million
in funding is secured and committed for global priorities.
To achieve these goals, we are working to raise $7 million specifically for our work in this area, including $6.5 million in support from people like you and $500 thousand in market-based funds. Learn more about our conservation goals and Join Maine.
More Maine Stories
Connecting Rivers, Connecting Worlds
A Maine scientist is helping shape river restoration in Europe.
Establishing India Water Funds
A trip across the world highlights how local conservation has global impact.
Restoring the Penobscot River
An unprecedented and innovative effort to restore a Maine river.