By Lauren McCauley | Editor
“There have been a lot of decisions that conservation organizations have made over the past few decades that have not taken tribal nations and indigenous communities’ perspective and leadership into the picture.” - Betsy Cook, of Trust for Public Land, which purchased a 30,000-acre parcel from timber harvesters with the intent to return it all to the Penobscot Nation.
Trout Pond located within Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. (Photo courtesy of Trust for Public Land)
INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS
By Emma Davis
The Penobscot Nation received 11,000 acres of ancestral land back this week, the first phase of what is expected to be one of the largest land returns ever between a U.S.-based nonprofit and a tribe.
ENERGY
By Kaitlyn Budion
Despite more than four hours of discussion on the conservation requirements for the long-embattled New England Clean Energy Connect project, the state environmental board held off on making a final ruling on the issue.
INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS
Maine Constitution printed for first time in 150 years — now with previously omitted treaty language
By Lauren McCauley
Roughly 73% of Maine voters supported the Nov. 2023 ballot measure that amended the constitution, requiring that all provisions be printed in official copies of the document.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
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Voting rights advocates regroup as Callais decision threatens Black representation | William J. Ford, Maryland Matters
With vote-by-mail court fight settled, attention shifts to protections at the polls | Jacob Fischler, States Newsroom
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