Borealis is a new multi-media outdoors series produced by Maine Public highlighting the nature of Maine. Borealis will take us all over this great state, introducing us to conservationists, citizen scientists, outdoor recreation enthusiasts, and others dedicated to preserving Maine’s outdoor spaces and sharing them with everyone.

Follow along as we surf, fish, hike, bike and more with host and registered Maine Guide Aislinn Sarnacki!

Watch full Borealis episodes on PBS or YouTube!

And look out for bonus Borealis content only available on Maine Public’s YouTube Channel and over social media.

Borealis Podcast Episodes

Borealis: The Podcast, from Maine Public

Going Wild with adventure birder and YouTuber Bob Duchesne

Aislinn talks with Bob Duchesne about how he first got interested in birding and asks him for some tips for beginner birders.

Lynda Doughty, baby seal rehabilitator and Marine Mammals of Maine Founder

Lynda Doughty — Founder of Marine Mammals of Maine (MMoM) — speaks with Borealis Host Aislinn Sarnacki about the hard and hopeful work of rehabilitating and helping to conserve Maine's seals.

USM Professor and Author Rob Sanford

USM Professor emeritus – and author of the book Reading Rural Landscapes – meets Aislinn at Mill Brook Preserve in Westbrook to discuss the historic return of alewives to the Presumpscot River Watershed.

Athlete, Advocate, and Trail Blogger Enock Glidden

On this episode, we talk with extreme athlete, inspirational speaker, trail blogger, and advocate for those with disabilities, Enock Glidden.

Whitewater Kayak Racer Alex Horne

In our first episode, Borealis host Aislinn Sarnacki speaks with sponsored whitewater kayak racer Alex Horne.

Borealis Stories

Wheelchair-accessible hiking with Enock Glidden

What are the benefits of having more wheelchair-accessible trails? They allow people with mobility challenges to have a chance to connect with the wonders of Maine's outdoors and each other.
What tiny organisms teach us about climate change in the Gulf of Maine

Ocean water looks clear, but don't let that fool you: Inside just a small drop of water are thousands of plankton and other microscopic organisms. But what role do they play in the Gulf of Maine's ecosystem?
Watch rescued baby seals get released back into the Gulf of Maine

Every Spring, the facilities at Marine Mammals of Maine (MMoME) welcome dozens of rescued baby seals. MoMME feeds, cleans and attends to the seals all day and sometimes throughout the night. To do this work takes a lot of dedication, but for those involved, the effort is well worth it when they get to see the baby seals return to the wild.
How many loons are in Maine? This annual count keeps track

For one day each summer, over the course of just 30 minutes, thousands of volunteers head out on lakes across Maine to count one of our state's most iconic animals: the common loon. For the Bessey family, the loon count has been a family tradition for four generations.
Environment and Outdoors

New program introduces asylum seeker students to the Maine outdoors

Ari Snider

#WeOutside launched this summer with weekly canoeing, hiking, and swimming trips, and will continue into the fall and winter.

Meet Aislinn Sarnacki: The host of Borealis!

About Aislinn:

The host of Borealis is no stranger to the outdoors in Maine. Aislinn previously was an outdoors reporter at the Bangor Daily News for 10 years, has written three books centered around hiking in Maine, including Dog-Friendly Hikes in Maine; and she’s well known for her series of videos called “One Minute Hikes.”

Aislinn also teaches journalism at the University of Maine as an adjunct professor.

Get in touch:
Email the Borealis team: borealis@mainepublic.org