Maine is leading the way with bold action on climate change. Learn about the plan and what it looks like in practice. We’ll explore details in just a few of the many sectors it addresses – land conservation, transportation, and climate justice. Get inspired to support Maine’s climate plan in your community! Start the new year with resolve and action! Learn how YOU can make a difference on these urgent issues.

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Our Moderator for the series is Tim Glidden, recently retired from serving as President of Maine Coast Heritage Trust since 2011. Prior to that, he led the Land for Maine’s Future program and has been active on the environmental scene in Maine since 1983.

Maine Won’t Wait Speakers:

Sarah Curran is Deputy Director of Climate Planning and Community Partnerships with the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future (GOPIF), leading climate planning efforts in support of Maine communities. She has extensive community and economic development experience working with Maine communities and non-profit organizations, including time with the Maine Development Foundation, where she led a collaborative effort to strengthen and grow Maine’s forest products industry and reinvest in rural communities impacted by recent mill closures. Sarah has a master’s degree in community planning and development from the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine.

Maulian Dana was appointed Ambassador for the Penobscot Nation by Chief Kirk Francis in September 2017. As Ambassador, Ms. Dana acts as a representative of the Penobscot Nation and serves as a liaison for the Nation at the local, state and federal levels of government. In that role, she educates and advocates for policy and laws that impact and protect the Penobscot Nation’s sovereignty, culture, natural resources and the general welfare of the Penobscot people.

Ben Lake is a consultant with VEIC’s Transportation Electrification group, where he works to reduce the environmental and economic impacts of transportation energy use. He has  particular expertise in facilitating electric vehicles, including medium and heavy-duty vehicles. Ben is a member of the Maine Climate Council’s Transportation Working Group. He has more than 10 years of experience in energy, transportation, and sustainability planning with the Greater Portland Council of Governments and Maine Clean Communities.

Andy Cutko is the Director of Maine’s Bureau of Public Lands. He served as Director of Science at The Nature Conservancy in Maine from 2017 to 2019, where he oversaw all aspects of the Conservancy’s work related to scientific research, analysis, and science-based strategies for land and water conservation. Andy also worked for many years as an ecologist for the Maine Natural Areas Program. Andy holds a BA in Biology and Environmental Studies from Williams College, a Master of Forestry degree from Duke University, and is a Maine-licensed forester.

The Cathance River Education Alliance (CREA) and Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust (BTLT) are co-sponsoring a six-part weekly series on climate in January and February. The goal of this series is to inspire people to:

• Take action to slow and hopefully reverse climate change
• Actively support efforts to address climate change at all levels (public, private, local, state, federal)
• Talk to friends, family, and others about climate solutions.

2022 Taking Action on Climate Virtual Sessions:

Session 1: Climate Inaction and Disinformation | January 6, 2022

Session 2: Maine Won’t Wait | January 13, 2022

Session 3: What’s On Your Dinner Plate? | January 20, 2022

Session 4: Do Something! | January 27, 2022

Session 5: Subtraction is Action! | February 3, 2022

Session 6: Building Resilience in Challenging Times | February 17, 2022