The Strategy Center Blog

We are thrilled to announce that Rob Bilott, the lawyer played by Mark Ruffalo in the film Dark Waters , will be joining health advocates and experts to discuss the film and the ongoing fight against toxic forever chemicals at our free online panel discussion on July 1. WHEN: Wednesday, July 1, at 6pm. TICKETS: Register here before Friday, June 26, and you'll receive a link to view the film ahead of the discussion. One registered guest of the panel discussion will win an autographed copy of Rob...+ Read more

We’re thrilled to announce that this year, we are able to offer mini grants of up to $2,500 to grassroots leaders and community groups fighting for water and food that is free of toxic chemicals. These mini grants will be awarded to support grassroots organizing, research, testing, or advocacy to help rid our food supply and drinking water of toxic chemicals. Eligible Groups: Small volunteer-driven grassroots groups, and individuals committed to engaging others in their community in collective...+ Read more

Black lives matter. The Environmental Health Strategy Center stands with Black communities in this time of grief and mourning. We are horrified by the police killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and too many others. We demand accountability and justice be served. Systemic racism in the United States creates a public health crisis that has needlessly cost so many people of color their lives and devastated families and communities across the nation. In our work, we know that...+ Read more

Thanks to everyone who attended our webinar this week with the Maine Public Health Association, "Promoting Health and Preventing Disease: How Public and Environmental Health Work Together." Click here to watch the full webinar recording. Panelists: Dr. Lani Graham, MD, MPH Sarah Rines (Maine Public Health Association) Patrick MacRoy, MS (Environmental Health Strategy Center) In this introduction to environmental health and public health, our panelists discussed how public health and...+ Read more

It goes without saying that we're all stressed and frightened as we work to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities during this unprecedented global pandemic. As a public health organization, we wanted to let you know a few important ways you can protect your health: For up-to-date information on public health recommendations, please refer to the guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). If you are above age 65, which is at higher risk of...+ Read more

As all of us hunker down and do our best to “flatten the curve,” I hope you and your family are staying safe and healthy. I thank you, more than ever, for your support of the Strategy Center’s work. On my mind, as I work from home and check in with loved ones, is that the coronavirus pandemic is the strongest reminder that I hope any of us will ever experience: prioritizing public health saves lives. When government leaders prioritize public health, they can save lives by helping to protect...+ Read more

Did you know that over half of Mainers rely on a well for their drinking water—and one out of six wells contains harmful levels of arsenic? If you agree that all Mainers deserve safe water to drink, please join us at a public hearing in Augusta on Monday, January 27, and testify about why you want lawmakers to pass new legislation to establish a stronger drinking water standard for arsenic as well as provide free well water testing for low-income families. scahueque [at] ourhealthyfuture.org (...+ Read more

Please join our executive director, Mike Belliveau, and Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families' Mind the Store campaign director Mike Schade for an informative webinar on the findings of the latest annual report Who’s Minding the Store? A Report Card on Retailer Actions to Eliminate Toxic Chemicals . What: Webinar on 2019 Retailer Report Card findings When: Thursday Jan 23rd - 02:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM PT Where: RSVP here. In the fourth annual report card on safer chemicals in consumer products, the...+ Read more

An upcoming public hearing on toxic chemicals threatening Maine's food, farmland, and drinking water needs your voice . Will you join us at the Maine State House on Friday, January 24, to speak out about why you want state action that will lead to the clean up of some toxic PFAS (per- and polyfluoralkyl substances) pollution threatening our drinking water, food, and farmland? scahueque [at] ourhealthyfuture.org (subject: I%27d%20like%20to%20speak%20at%20the%20hearing%20on%20PFAS, body: Hi%...+ Read more

Imagine a world with decreasing rates of infertility, learning disabilities, and cancer and other illnesses. In 2020, we'll protect you, your children, and your grandchildren by fighting to: Hold polluters accountable for harm from toxic PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) inflicted on families and farmers. Push for a strong, health-protective drinking water standard to protect Maine children and families from dangerous PFAS contamination. Pass a new law to protect rural Mainers from...+ Read more