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Andy’s Note: Glacial Reflections

Happy April, friends.

All the melting ice around us has me thinking about glaciers this month. You could make the case that glaciers deserve much of the credit for what makes Maine, Maine. The last glacial remnants were gone from Maine about 11,000 years ago — a tick in time compared to the age of our planet — and their impact on our state’s unique geography is substantial and enduring.

Those enormously thick and heavy glaciers completely reshaped Maine’s landscape. They carved our many lakes and ponds, and sculpted characteristic fingers and islands into our coastline. Today, Maine is blessed with abundant water, which covers 10 percent of our surface — more freshwater surface area than 46 other states. On the salty side of things, Maine’s tidal shoreline measures 3,478 miles — also ranked fourth in the nation.

To me, April is the month where my level of consciousness about Maine as a state of water is most elevated. It’s everywhere. Seeing the ice scour the trees and banks of our rivers, watching the ice melt to reveal beautiful blue lakes and ponds, and seeing huge cataracts originating hundreds of miles away in our mighty forests come thundering into the mouths of our rivers feels like a mini episode of glacial melting each spring.

Loon flapping wings
Common Loons are preparing to return to Maine’s lakes and ponds.

Soon all of those waters will be teeming with a burst of new life — particularly as all of the associated species get down to the serious business of producing their next generation. This morning, I saw four Common Loons feeding off of Mackworth Island, preparing themselves to race to soon-to-be-opened lakes and ponds. One dove as I spied him, only to rise a brief moment later with a crab in his bill. He craned his neck and deftly worked it down his throat. In a few weeks, I may see this same loon swimming in front of my camp on Loon Pond with a perch in his bill.

Despite the abundance of our water, this is not a resource to be taken for granted. Clean water is essential to us, and to Maine’s wildlife. It’s no coincidence so many of Maine Audubon’s programs have a direct connection to water — from our Brook Trout Survey and our Annual Loon Count, to our Stream Smart road crossings work and our Coastal Birds Project.

In addition to water, for each of these projects — and across all of Maine Audubon’s work — the other critical factor is people. Engaging you in our work is the only way we can be successful. As you look ahead to April and the coming months, I hope you’ll plan to join us as often as you can, whether it’s for…

Let us be the bridge that connects you to nature! As always, thank you for supporting Maine’s wildlife and habitat.