Molly Enking

New York

Digital producer at PBS/WNET, words @SmithsonianMag. Previously PBS @NewsHour, @grist, @thedailybeast. 🎓@Newmarkjschool. Filed under: ocean

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Articles

Report: Maine has the most land trusts per capita of any state

1 week ago | bangordailynews.com | Molly Enking

A new report shows that Maine’s 84 land trusts have conserved nearly three million acres — almost 15 percent of Maine’s land base — protecting both public access and natural resource-based industries at a scale that’s unmatched in most parts of the country. That’s partially because Maine has very little public land, said Jeff Romano, director of Public Policy at Maine Coast Heritage Trust.
Maine has the most land trusts per capita of any state, according to new report

2 weeks ago | mainepublic.org | Molly Enking

A new report shows that Maine's 84 land trusts have conserved nearly three million acres, protecting both public access and natural resource-based industries at a scale that's unmatched in most parts of the country. That's partially because Maine has very little public land, said Jeff Romano, director of Public Policy at Maine Coast Heritage Trust. "Our neighbor to the to the west, New Hampshire, has over 20% of its land publicly owned, whereas in Maine, it's less than 7%," he said.
Advocates flood the statehouse as clean energy bills come up for debate

2 weeks ago | mainepublic.org | Molly Enking

More than 100 clean energy advocates gathered at the Maine State House in Augusta Thursday to urge lawmakers to pass several bills. Sierra Pearl is an electrical apprentice who said she sees solar as the future. But with federal uncertainty and sometimes hostility toward clean energy, she said the work she and her fellow apprentices has been counting on has dried up. "I just want people to know that if you protect clean energy jobs.
Climate educators search for federal tools, data needed for lesson plans

3 weeks ago | nhpr.org | Molly Enking

In Ruth Poland’s college prep environmental science class at Mount Desert Island High School, students are creating eco-columns in plastic bottles that mimic nutrient cycling in the natural world:“Are you getting the fish now? “Oh wait, I got one!”“How? Oh wait, I got one too.”So far this year, Poland and her students have covered earth sciences, ecology, and will soon move on to a unit on energy.
State announces grants aimed at preparing Maine towns for climate change

1 month ago | mainepublic.org | Molly Enking

Over 150 communities throughout the state will receive a total of $8 million in resilience grants aimed at preparing Maine for storms, rising seas, wildfires, and extreme weather. Governor Janet Mills announced $8 million in grants while standing on Colony Beach in Kennebunkport, where last year's twin storms caused $850,000 in damages that the town is still recovering from. "They chewed up roads as if they didn't exist," said Mills of last year's storms.
Public transportation advocates push measures to expand transit options in Maine

1 month ago | mainepublic.org | Molly Enking

Public transportation advocates are pushing a slate of measures aimed at streamlining and expanding transit options in the state. According to a new report from the Moving Maine network, two in five Mainers are "transportation insecure," meaning they lack reliable ways to get around. Josh Caldwell of the Natural Resources Council of Maine said that's fixable — but it's going to take coordination and buy-in at the state level.
How will lichen adapt to climate change?

1 month ago | wgbh.org | Molly Enking

April 25, 2025 On a brisk Saturday morning at Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal, Maine, Park Ranger Jeff Pengel leads a nature walk he’s titled 'EnLichenment’. And, puns aside, there’s a lot to see here, once you take the time. “If you’ve looked at lichens, you may have seen British soldiers with the red tips. That’s a fruticose lichen. That’s one that’s upright. Fruticose are three dimensional,” Pengel said. Illustrations by Carmen Deñó; design by Raquel C.
South Portland residents, representatives call for air quality warnings with new bill

1 month ago | mainepublic.org | Molly Enking

From Bob Klotz's front garden, you can't see any of South Portland's oil tanks — but on certain days, he says, he can smell them. Especially on his morning walks. "We tend to do the big, wide loop that takes you down to Fore River. So the global tank is right there, and then you walk towards the left, and the other tanks you can see but, and you can see them unloading tankers there."Klotz, an environmental activist and retired Physician's Assistant, lives nearby two tank farms.
Lichens keep New England's forests healthy. How will they adapt to climate change?

1 month ago | wbur.org | Molly Enking

On a brisk Saturday morning at Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal, Maine, Park Ranger Jeff Pengel leads a nature walk he’s titled ‘EnLichenment’. And, puns aside, there’s a lot to see here, once you take the time. "If you've looked at lichens, you may have seen British soldiers with the red tips. That's a fruticose lichen. That's one that's upright. Fruticose are three dimensional," Pengel said. Earth DayThis story is part of a New England News Collaborative series marking Earth Day 2025.
Amid political turmoil Maine youth remain committed to climate action

1 month ago | nhpr.org | Peter McGuire |Molly Enking

Young people are increasingly at the forefront of climate change activism. According to a study in The Lancet, around 70% of people ages 16-25 are extremely worried or very worried about the climate. And in Maine, that commitment to acting on climate change was on display at two events this month. In Augusta, at least 100 high school students from across the state spilled out on a plaza behind the statehouse for a rally last week.