Mapping and Monitoring
Losing Open Space in Southern Maine: Goals and Choices
Setting Goals
For all New England, the Woodlands and Wildlands group recommends that we retain at least 70% of New England in forestlands – that is, areas permanently free of development. Communities will also need to develop linkages between remaining natural landscapes while maintaining public access.
What other goals should we aspire to in the light of the current challenges?
Choices:
- Growth patterns and housing density
- Transportation networks and modes
- Energy sources
- Home sizes
- Conservation initiatives
- Quality of place
- Paving and impermeability
- Energy independence
What Can I Do?
- Advocate for more protected open space in southern Maine as well as upstate.
- Learn more about the role that healthy ecosystems play in providing ecosystems services: e.g. clean air and water that benefit us all and that can only be replaced by expensive, engineered solutions, such as sewage treatment plants.v
- Attend local and regional hearings and add your voice to the discussion.
- Write letters to the editor and to your state and federal representatives.
- Support your local land trusts with time and money. Eat locally grown or harvested foods.
- Encourage a “BioBlitz” on local conservation lands to learn about biological diversity in your town.
- Reduce, reuse, and recycle.
- Carpool and bicycle if possible.
- Anticipate future sea level rise, landcover, and climate changes.
- Think regionally as well as about your own town or city, as sprawl and climate change are regional and global phenomena.
