Project Overview
Background
In 2023, Durham enrolled in the Maine Office of Community Affairs (MOCA) Community Resilience Partnership. Click here to learn more about that process. Through the Partnership, Durham was awarded the Community Action Grant, and partnered with the Greater Portland Council of Governments and FB Environmental to develop an Open Space Plan and Conservation Strategy.
Currently, less than 3% of land in Durham is conserved; well below Maine's target of 30%. However, over 60% of land is considered “Undeveloped Blocks of Habitat” by Maine Beginning with Habitat. Open space can provide numerous public health and ecological services such as improved air and water quality, wildlife habitat, recreation, and residential and road flood mitigation. Although these vital pieces of land are most at risk from developmental pressures, climate hazards continue to stress open spaces. Warming temperatures shift ecosystems and increase the presence of invasive species, and more frequent intense storms increase flooding and damage to the landscape. There were two major flooding events along the Androscoggin River in winter 2023-2024 which impacted Route 136 and homes in that area in Durham.
This project is funded by the Community Resilience Partnership Community Action Grant through the Maine Office of Community Affairs.
Key Partners
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Durham Conservation Commission
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The Greater Portland Council of Governments
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FB Environmental
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Androscoggin Land Trust
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Royal River Conservation Trust
The Open Space Plan
Identifying open space assets most vulnerable to climate hazards is key to creating a resilient community and using resources efficiently. The final plan will outline open space resources in the town and ideally ensure that the town develops in a smart, sustainable manner that protects our natural resources. This can be used to inform the town's upcoming Comprehensive Plan update.
This project will include comprehensive community engagement throughout the entire process. Through surveys, workshops, and other engagement activities, we will provide a chance for all residents to come together to discuss how the town is impacted by and may respond to climate hazards.
Conserving more land will provide greater public health benefits to those in need, create access for those who do not have it themselves, and continue to support the natural resource economy. Increasing access to open space for all populations in Durham will promote recreation and foster positive physical and mental health.
The Conservation Strategy
The Conservation Strategy will allow Durham to establish specific conservation goals and develop strategies to address conservation gaps in high biodiversity areas, undeveloped habitat blocks, and areas where land and water resource connectivity is needed. The project will involve an inventory of open spaces and assessments to identify areas prone to flooding and erosion, and water quality issues.
Project Timeline
Summer 2025-Spring 2027
1
Summer - Fall 2025
Data collection, inventory & mapping
2
Fall - Winter 2025
Data collection, inventory, mapping & community survey
5
Summer - Fall 2026
Community engagement
6
Fall - Winter 2026
Draft Open Space Plan with initial data
3
Winter - Spring 2026
Community workshop & interviews
7
Winter - Spring 2027
2nd community workshop & interviews
4
Spring - Summer 2026
Data collection
8
Spring 2027
Release final Open Space Plan
Learn more about the Open Space Plan.
View the slideshow from the Durham Select Board meeting
