The magazine can be viewed at http://www.flipseekllc.com/maine2010spring.html or by visiting www.mefishwildlife.com.

The quarterly magazine is a snapshot of what people love – Maine's outdoors. Each issue features programs, initiatives and projects being worked on by MDIF&W employees, with video and web links to resources readers may find useful.

The spring issue is timely, with sections on:

• Fishing. Read about efforts to stop the illegal stocking of non-native fish species as well as to stop the spread of invasive aquatic plants; how the new online Maine Fishing Guide came to be; who holds which state fish and game record; and one angler's first spring fishing trip without his longtime fishing buddy. Readers can watch a video and select fishing resources links from magazine pages.
• Falcons. Regional Wildlife Biologist Judy Camuso writes about a recent banding of four peregrine falcon chicks in Portland; Natural Sciences Educator Lisa Kane tells you about Larry Barnes, a master falconer and the ancient art of falconry; and a KidBits puzzle on falcons. Readers can connect to a peregrine webcam from the magazine!
• Social media. Read a commentary by Regis Tremblay, director of MDIF&W's Division of Public Information and Education, on why the use of social media is important to the MDIF&W, a state agency that mostly is funded by sportsmen and sportswomen; and get links to videos, blogs and social media sites.

To make the online publication appear like a printed one, MDIF&W works with Ohio-based FlipSeek LLC. The company's software allows users to flip through pages as if they are thumbing through a magazine, and zoom into text. Text and pdf versions of the magazine also are available on the Department's website.

As stewards of Maine's natural resources, the employees at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife work on endeavors that are essential to preserving and protecting the state's quality of life and its economic foundation. Combined, outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, boating, ATV riding, and wildlife and bird watching, contribute $2.4 billion to Maine's economy.