Clean Environment

Our Goal:
Our land, water, air, and built environments are clean and free of toxic chemicals and contaminants. Our natural resources, including rural landscapes, farms, forests, and waterways are protected and accessible for citizens to enjoy.

Pollution and environmental degradation pose significant health risks for our communities. Increased dependence upon automobiles, expanding development, and rising use of insecticides, herbicides, and other toxic chemicals are all part of this problem. Issues such as mercury contamination of fish and other wildlife, cruise ship discharges, and air and water quality, have significant impacts on ecological and human health, and impact the future of our local fisheries, the tourism industry, and our quality of life.

In 2003, for instance, Hancock County had 19 high ozone days, more than any of the eight other Maine counties. Hancock County has consistently received a grade of F for air quality from the American Lung Association. Maine also has the highest adult asthma rates in the US, and the highest child asthma rates in New England. Unfortunately the majority of local air pollution originates out of state, indicating a need for local, regional, national, and even international solutions.

The good news is that the MDI-area population is generally concerned with environmental protection and a number of local organizations including Acadia National Park, Friends of Acadia, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, and the MDI Water Quality Coalition, are working to protect and preserve our local natural resources.

Healthy Acadia offers mini-grants that support our clean environment goals. We also offer other services and technical assistance in support of these efforts. Please contact us for more information, or read our Good Health Starts Here report for strategies that schools, municipalities and organizations can use to address these issues.