My name is Mira Hartmann, I am 13 years old, and I live in Edgecomb. I write regarding the Pine Tree Amendment (L.D. 489), which is very close to my heart.

My home is in the middle of the woods, and the woods are my comfort. Since the moment I could walk, the forest has been where I flee when I need a break.

Though that may not be the smartest choice for a 5-year-old, I never felt the least bit in danger. There are trees my hand has brushed upon thousands of times, and rocks that were once covered in dirt, but now worn bare.

The Maine woods are truly my home and family, but in the last few years I have watched my tall, green family members start to die. More and more of the trees that I have leaned on fall down every storm – ones that weren’t even much older than me. My nature walks now sometimes feel like I am walking through a graveyard. I believe that I and all other Mainers deserve more than that, and that includes Maine’s wildlife.

The Pine Tree Amendment ensures it all. It ensures a future for all of my generation, and all yet to come. We all should have the goal to make a difference in the world, and this is an opportunity for the Maine government to do just this. I really care about it, along with many, many others. The future needs it!

Mira Hartmann
Edgecomb

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