MDOC promotes new publications just in time for the holiday season

    Augusta – The Maine Department of Conservation has several publications for sale to the public, including a new book of essays by well-known Maine journalist and Maine Guide, Tom Hanrahan.     The items are examples of the scope of work being done by the MDOC staff to conserve and protect Maine’s special places for all Maine people. The MDOC includes the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, Maine Geological Survey and Natural Areas, Maine Forest Service and Land Use Regulation Commission.
    The items are being promoted especially for the holiday gift-giving season. The publications include:
• “Your Maine Lands: Reflections of a Maine Guide” by Tom Hanrahan. Noted Maine journalist and Maine Guide Tom Hanrahan has written a series of essays on exploring Maine’s precious public lands, reflecting on his unique experiences at various state parks. The book, illustrated by artist Kelly Thorndike, a wounded Iraqi war veteran, has received excellent reviews for its anecdotal and insightful commentary. “Your Maine Lands” is available for a cost of $12, which includes tax and shipping;
• “Forest Trees of Maine, Centennial Edition 1908-2008.” This book is an extraordinary field guide, with color photographs, prepared by the Maine Forest Service and containing a foreword by Dr. David Field, professor emeritus, School of Forest Resources, University of Maine. Dedicated to “all the hardworking men and women who make their living in the Maine woods,” the book not only contains identification information but also extensive history and practical woods information. “Forest Trees of Maine” is available for $7. It also is available on a CD for the same price;
• “Maine’s Fossil Record: The Paleozoic” by Lisa Churchill-Dickson. This 500-page book, with extensive black-and-white illustrations, is the most comprehensive treatise on Maine’s bedrock fossils ever published. The primary purpose of this book is to serve as a stand-alone reference for Maine’s Paleozoic paleontology, for both the interested layperson and professional geoscientist. Readers can come away with a general understanding of basic geological and paleontological concepts as well as technical scientific information. The book has been designed to make Maine paleontology more accessible to all groups so that the history of life in Maine can be more fully utilized and appreciated by the professional, educator and layperson alike. “Maine’s Fossil Record” is available for: hardcover, $40 plus $2 sales tax; or soft cover, $30 plus $1.50 sales tax.
• “Northrunner: The Allagash Wilderness Waterway.” This DVD was produced to commemorate one of the most beautiful wild-river waterways in the United States. With breathtaking scenery and informative interviews, the video captures the uniqueness of one of Maine’s most precious areas. Sporting-camp life, water trips and Allagash history are featured in the production, one of the MDOC’s most popular items. “Northrunner” is available to the public for a cost of $16.50, which includes tax and shipping.
    The items can be purchased through the Maine Department of Conservation. Checks should be made out to: Treasurer, State of Maine. Mail checks to: Gale Ross, Maine Department of Conservation, 22 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0022 or call  287-5266.
    Maine residents also are reminded that purchases of the Big Bucks instant lottery tickets and the Maine loon license plate help support the Maine Departments of Conservation and Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in their stewardship of Maine’s natural resources.
    For more information, go to:  http://www.maine.gov/doc.