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Robbins Lumber among Maine companies beginning climate project

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Robbins Lumber among Maine companies beginning climate project


SEARSMONT, Maine (WABI) – The New England Forest Foundation is building a stronger community. They recently gifted six companies across the state grants with the goal of more climate-friendly forestry work. Maine’s Robbins Lumber Company was one of the businesses granted this money.

”We’re just trying to accomplish good forestry, that’s all we’re doing,” said Robbins Lumber forester Ethan Jacobs

The United States Department of Agriculture is partnering with the New England Forest Foundation to start a Climate-Smart Commodities Partnership Project. The $30 million project gives an opportunity for companies like Robbins Lumber not only to increase carbon in the forests in their area but across the state.

“It benefits the landowners, it benefits the general public, because all of these thinnings are going to be using, to make electricity,” answered Jim Robbins. Robbins now works as a consultant for the company but was an owner for many years before retiring.

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Dense forests, despite having a lot of trees, supplies wood that isn’t necessarily useful. By thinning large sections of woods, this creates bigger and stronger trees resulting in more climate-friendly use out of the forests.

The climate isn’t the only thing benefiting from this project.

“Plus, it provides a lot of jobs. In rural Maine, where we need jobs, the forest industry is one of the biggest employers for the people in the state of Maine. So it really helps the rural areas,” added Robbins.

For Robbins Lumber, the hearing of the news was a mix of reactions. The money leads to more work asked of the company that deals with contractors that have to perform the labor.

“It was some mixed feelings,” said Jacobs. “At first, it’s exciting and then the other half of it is, ‘well, how are we going to pull it off?’ The biggest issue, in my opinion, is actually getting the contractor actually interested in being able to do this work.”

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Despite new building technologies, Robbins Lumber claims that wood is just as important as it has ever been.

“Wood is the best product you can build anything with. We’re encouraging people to build more stuff out of wood and replacing concrete and steel which produces a tremendous amount of carbon because they have to use so much fuel to produce it. Wood uses hardly any energy at all to produce, so it helps the climate by getting the trees to grow fast, storing carbon, and providing wood for the mills so people can do more building with wood,” concluded Robbins.

At this point, the program is just entering phase one in an effort to learn more about the effectiveness of the project itself.

To learn more information about the program and the efforts of the New England Forestry Foundation, click here.

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Maine

We Are the Watershed call for art

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We Are the Watershed call for art


A collective of environmental, arts and Indigenous-led organizations is collaborating to produce We Are the Watershed, a two-day event aimed at reconnecting humans with nature and revitalizing the health of waterways, estuaries, and the bay in Peskotomuhkatikuk (traditional Passamaquoddy territory). Events, including theatrical performances, music, culinary experiences and an exhibition of submitted artwork, will be held on May 1 and 2 at Eastport Arts Center (EAC). A publication of written and visual works will also be released with proceeds to support conservation efforts and spreading awareness of their impacts.

Submissions sought:
Written and visual works are currently sought from artists and creatives on both sides of the border across Peskotomuhkatikuk for the publication, which will be sold by donation at the May event. Proceeds from the sale will be dedicated to related community-building efforts, public engagement, and continued restoration efforts. The deadline for digital submission for the publication is April 1.

Physical works can be dropped off at EAC Sunday, April 26 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to be a part of the exhibition, which will run May 1 through 15. Artists under 18 will receive 100% of the proceeds if they opt to put their pieces up for sale during the exhibit, which will run May 1 through May 15. Artists over 18 will receive 70% of the proceeds with the remainder going toward promoting awareness of and supporting conservation efforts for the Passamaquoddy Bay.


The Eastport Arts Center

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Every week through Apr 01, 2026.
Friday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Event Supported By

Eastport Arts Center

(207) 853-4650

info@eastportartscenter.org

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Maine

NEWS CENTER Maine

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NEWS CENTER Maine
Through in-depth storytelling, through direct contact on digital on social platforms, through long-standing community service programs like Coats & Toys for Kids, Project Heat and Buddy to Buddy, NEWS CENTER Maine is dedicated to keeping Mainers connected. We can’t do it alone, though. Only by listening and interacting with YOU can we continue to connect ALL Mainers.



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Maine

Suspect arrested in murder of Robert Fuller, Jr., Maine attorney and philanthropist

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Suspect arrested in murder of Robert Fuller, Jr., Maine attorney and philanthropist


Police in Maryland have charged a suspect with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 87-year-old Robert Fuller Jr., a former Maine attorney and philanthropist, inside his senior living apartment in Gaithersburg on Valentine’s Day.

Authorities said the suspect is 22-year-old Maurquise Emilio James, a med tech at the facility where Fuller lived.

Montgomery County Department of Police.

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Police say 22-year-old Maurise Emilio James is charged with murder in the death of Robert Fuller, Jr.

At a press conference Wednesday, detectives said they reviewed surveillance video from the facility showing James near a door that’s alarm was deactivated. A video clip released of the suspect walking in the courtyard of the facility generated tips that helped to identify James.

Early February 24, Maryland State Police conducted a traffic stop of a sedan without tags. Police said the driver fired at the trooper. The officer was not seriously injured.

Investigators said evidence collected at the scene included at least one 9mm shell casing that indicated the same gun was used in both the shooting of Fuller and the incident involving the trooper.

No motive has been given.

Fuller practiced law in Maine for more than 35 years and supported many institutions in the Augusta area.

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