Beginning with HabitatBeginning with Habitat

A Community-based Ecosystem A Community-based Ecosystem Management ToolManagement Tool

Beginning with HabitatBeginning with Habitat

A Community-based Ecosystem A Community-based Ecosystem Management ToolManagement Tool

What is Beginning with Habitat (BwH)?What is Beginning with Habitat (BwH)?

Purpose:To provide comprehensive data related to plant and wildlife habitat and tools and technical assistance to assist with the implementation of a local approach to habitat and open space conservation.

BwH is…

A non-regulatory landscape based approach

to sustaining natural systems and achieving

meaningful conservation and of all native

species on a developing landscape.

The ProcessThe Process

3. Develop a Conservation Blueprint

Goal: Preserve habitat and habitat functions for all species of plants and animals

native to your community

1. Inventory and Identify What is Important

2. Design a Landscape

The ProcessThe Process

1. Maintain aquatic system functions

2. Protect rare, threatened, and endangered plant and animal habitats and rare and exemplary natural communities

3. Minimize fragmentation of large blocks and maintain connections between blocks

Eighty to 95% of all Maine’s terrestrial vertebrate species would likely be present if these

areas can be preserved.

Quality of place is what sets Maine apart

BwH Approach Also Maintains Quality BwH Approach Also Maintains Quality

of Placeof Place

• Recreational Resources

• Wild places

• Working landscapes

• Pastoral / Scenic Resources

A Three-legged Stool Model

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Comprehensive DataComprehensive Data

• Comprehensive Resource Maps (water resources, high value habitats, undeveloped blocks and more)

• Digital Data

• Information and Interpretive Materials

• Coming Soon…..Web-based Map Service

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Inventory and Identify What is Important

Tools and Technical AssistanceTools and Technical Assistance

• Presentations

• Follow-up Assistance

• Toolbox

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Design a Landscape and Develop a Conservation Blueprint

http://www.beginningwithhabitat.org/toolbox/about_toolbox.html

Intent: to provide habitat friendly approaches to developing common town planning tools

Toolbox Contents:

A. Comprehensive Planning1. A Guide to Comprehensive Planning with BwH 2. Using BwH in Required Plan Elements 3. BwH in Required Plan Topic Areas 4. BwH Highlighted Topic: Water Resources 5. BwH Highlighted Topic: Critical Natural Resources 6. BwH Highlighted Topic: Transportation 7. Crafting a Future Land Use Plan using BwH 8. Regional Coordination for Natural Resources 9. Example Comprehensive Plans

B. Open Space Planning1. Why Plan for Open Space? 2. Importance of Being Proactive 3. What is an Open Space Plan 4. The Open Space Planning Process 5. Components of an Open Space Plan: A Brief Outline 6. Using BwH in Open Space Plan Inventories 7. Designating Local Focus Areas Using BwH 8. Commonly Raised Public Concerns 9. Example Open Space Plans

C. Developing a Conservation Commission

D. Land Use Ordinance Tools

1. Wildlife Habitat Overlay Districts2. Transfer of Development Rights/Fee3. Open Space Impact Fees4. Conservation Subdivision Ordinances

Toolbox Contents:

http://www.beginningwithhabitat.org/toolbox/about_toolbox.html

E. Wetland Protection and Shoreland Zoning Tools

1. Wetland and Shoreland Zoning Definitions

2. Maine Model Freshwater Wetlands Ordinance3. Amendments to Shoreland Zoning to Protect Habitat

4. Resource Protection Ordinances

5. In Lieu Fee Mitigation Funds

Toolbox Contents:

http://www.beginningwithhabitat.org/toolbox/about_toolbox.html

F. Land Use Performance Standards

1. Net Residential Density

2. Reduced Lot Size Outside of Subdivision Review-

3. Road Standards

4. Invasive Species

Toolbox Contents:

http://www.beginningwithhabitat.org/toolbox/about_toolbox.html

G. Financing Habitat Protection.

1. Impact Fees

2. Local Land Bonds

3. Current Use Tax Programs

4. Grant Sources

Toolbox Contents:

http://www.beginningwithhabitat.org/toolbox/about_toolbox.html

Incentives for ActionIncentives for Action

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• Grant Sources

• Comprehensive Plans

• Current Use

• Quality of Place Initiative

• Comprehensive Plans include BwH data and approaches

• Many towns/regions are working on open space plans and prioritizing habitat protection efforts

• Some towns are implementing tools to better protect ecosystem functions

Success StoriesSuccess Stories

Issues EncounteredIssues Encountered

• BwH commonly seen as map distribution service only

• Few towns request follow-up assistance from BwH after introductory presentations

• Towns and Land Trusts often do not feel equipped to prioritize conservation actions based on BwH maps

• Incentives for developing a town open space plan or “conservation blueprint” limited

Where do we go from here?Where do we go from here?

• New quarterly online newsletter to keep towns/orgs informed about new services, projects, opportunities etc.

• Increased capacity to better address on the ground implementation

• RFP to identify and work with a few towns to deliver BwH Technical Assistance Services

• Incorporating habitat prioritization tools

• Working on incentives

• Continue to improve data provided

(aquatics, connectivity)

www.beginningwithhabitat.www.beginningwithhabitat.orgorg

Bethany AtkinsBeginning with Habitat

284 State Street41 State House Station

Augusta, ME 04333207-287-5878

bethany.atkins@maine.gov

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