Bremen Conservation Commission: Biodiversity

Friday, April 17, 2009

Biodiversity

Maintaining biodiversity is an important aspect of conservation efforts. Here's some information about scientific studies and reports on biodiversity.

For the first time, the science on Maine's freshwater animals and plans has been collected into one report, "Freshwater Biodiversity in Maine." The report includes every known freshwater species and habitat type in Maine, provides information on habitat types and threats to Maine's freshwater biodiversity, and offers recommendations to protect that biodiversity. The report can be viewed or downloaded from
www.maine.gov/doc/nrimc/mnap/aquatic/index/htm.

A study from the Environmental Law Institute www.eli.org/ called "Conservation Thresholds for Land Use Planners" provides a review and synthesis of information from the most up-to-date scientific literature for land use planners to use when making decisions affecting biodiversity. The report summarizes what is known within the scientific community about potential land use planning and design thresholds and offers general guidance on how to transform traditional planning aproaches into more ecologically-based conservation tools. The study may be downloaded from http://www.elistore.org/reports_detail.asp?ID=10839. We have Chuck McGregor to thank for letting us know about this study.

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BCC Background | 2007- Present

Since 2007 the BCC has dedicated itself to understanding the natural resources of Bremen and the conservation values and priorities of Bremen residents. Through numerous public forums and events the BCC determined a general public sentiment toward conservation which led to a lengthy process of developing a conservation plan consistent with the Comprehensive plan and public input. This plan established a baseline for where Bremen was in terms of protecting our natural resources and set forth strategies within the plan according to the four main points indicated within its mission statement.

In the latter half of 2010 the BCC began to realize that while many strategies in the Bremen Conservation Plan had been achieved, the most important work had yet to begin. In order to proceed the BCC needed to confirm conservation priorities and in January 2011 the BCC held an interactive public workshop to consider what types of projects might be considered if funded by the Bremen Land Conservation Reserve Fund (LCRF). Interestingly, this workshop affirmed what the BCC had already learned in earlier work. The results gave the commission a clear path in developing and undertaking conservation projects consistent with the conservation plan.

Quote of the Day

"Be the change that you want to see in the world." Matama Gandhi
"True conservation provides for wise use by the general public. The American people do not want our resources preserved for the exclusive use of the wealthy. These land and water resources belong to the people, and people of all income levels should have easy access to them." George D. Aiken
"The purpose of conservation: The greatest good for the greatest number in the long run." Gifford Pinchot, first Director of the U.S. Forest Service

Bremen Conservation Commission

Friday, April 17, 2009

Biodiversity

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