Spire: The Maine Journal of Conservation and Sustainability
Spire: The Maine Journal of Conservation and Sustainability is an interdisciplinary journal that works to increase engagement with important environmental issues by facilitating diverse conversations about conservation and sustainability topics, perspectives, and developments. This online journal is run by both graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Maine with the support of faculty and Advisory Board members. Spire strives to unite communities across Maine to effect profound environmental change and to galvanize action for conservation and sustainability by promoting impactful, awareness-raising dialogue. Spire informs Maine residents about pressing environmental issues while providing an expert forum for vital discussions about conservation and sustainability. Spire’s ultimate goal is to create opportunities for innovation and action across disciplines as well as communities, further establishing Maine as a leader in sustainability and conservation. Past issues are archived on the Spire site for the educational benefit of students, faculty, and anyone else interested in sustainability. For more information, please contact spire@maine.edu or reach out to Facebook (Spire Journal) or Twitter (Spire Journal).
Spire accepts essay, research, article, data, art/photographic, and narrative submissions from individuals both within and outside the UMS system. As this publication is interdisciplinary and community focused, individuals from any field or background are encouraged to submit their work. Submissions to Spire should advance dialogue around conservation or sustainability, as well as have some sort of relevance to Maine readers. Individuals who wish to submit their work are encouraged to review past publications to see examples of ideal submissions. After an official submission is made, editors will review the work and inform the author if Spire will go forward with the submission, and whether any revisions are necessary. There may be several rounds of feedback and revision. More details about how to format your work, make a submission, or the general process can be found on their Submit to Spire page.
Spire also holds annual art competitions where UMaine students and members of the public can submit their environmental-themed artwork to be featured as the cover art in an issue. Designs in the form of photography, physically rendered, or digital artwork/media are welcome. The winning submission chosen by a committee of Spire’s Editorial Team and Advisory Board members will win $200, though the artwork of other finalists may also be featured inside the issue. Deadlines, further details, and specific requirements for different types of submissions can be found on their Cover Design Contest page.