Dec 27, 2022

Explainer: Freeing the Kennebec River

Removing four obsolete dams on the Kennebec River is an urgent next step that will improve the health of the Gulf of Maine, enhance riverfront communities, and bring back millions of sea-run fish, including endangered Atlantic salmon.

A dam on the Kennebec River in Maine
Jul 31, 2020

We Must Protect More of Our Ocean

We know that to protect biodiversity and build our ocean’s resilience to climate change, we must protect much more of New England’s ocean.

Cashes Ledge kelp forest
Jun 15, 2020

Giving Native River Herring a Second Chance

Thousands of dams, large and small, built over the last 250 years have cut fish off from freshwater spawning grounds, thwarting reproductive cycles that had been ongoing for eons. The impacts of these dams, on top of pollution, overfishing, and climate change, have led to a drastic decline in river herring populations – threatening their survival.

Royal River, Yarmouth, Maine
Sep 06, 2019

Maine’s Presumpscot River Runs Free

In a milestone for the health of the Presumpscot River and Casco Bay, crews removed the dam at Saccarappa Falls over the summer.  For the first time in more than two centuries, the waters of the Presumpscot flowed freely over the falls through the heart of Westbrook.

Jan 05, 2019

Restoring Maine Alewives

Alewives are critical to Maine’s fisheries but collapsed due to laws keeping the fish from spawning ground. CLF took action to save the species.

Maine alewives
Jul 09, 2018

Summer in Maine, Thanks to CLF

It’s finally summer in Maine – and that means lots of opportunities to get outside and enjoy everything from whale watching, to fishing, to visiting our local farmers’ markets. CLF works every day to protect the things we all love about these long, hot days in Vacationland – not only because of the opportunities for… Continue reading Summer in Maine, Thanks to CLF

May 17, 2018

CLF Continues Working to Restore Native River Herring to New England’s Coastal Rivers

Every year, alewives and blueback herring return to their native waters to spawn. But thousands of dams have cut these fish off from thousands of acres of freshwater bodies, thwarting reproductive cycles that had been ongoing for eons. The impact of these dams, on top of threats from pollution and overfishing, have led to a drastic decline in river herring populations –  threatening their survival.

Saccarappa Falls Presumpscot River Maine
Jun 13, 2017

Restoration Efforts Bring Thousands of Native Fish Back to Maine’s Coastal Rivers

It’s that time of year when fish like alewives and blueback herring journey from the sea to their native fresh waters to spawn. As a keystone species, these fish, collectively known as river herring, play a critical role as building blocks in our coastal ecosystems. They are also important to the health of New England’s fisheries,… Continue reading Restoration Efforts Bring Thousands of Native Fish Back to Maine’s Coastal Rivers