Conservation Commission

Mission Statement

Scarborough's natural resources are a unique and irreplaceable asset. Within the Town's boundaries exist seashore, salt and freshwater marsh, wetlands, forest, uplands, tidal rivers and streams which are home to varied and unique species of wildlife. Few towns in Maine have the diverse resources as exist in Scarborough, which provide critical habitat for shore birds and other avian species, shellfish beds, fish nurseries, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. These natural resources and habitat are being lost or threatened as Scarborough continues to be one of the fastest growing towns in Maine.

The Conservation Commission's primary responsibility is to increase awareness of the value of our natural resources, work to identify and reduce potential damage to these natural areas and to proactively work with Town Staff, other committees, and local organizations to encourage sustainable stewardship of these resources.

Goals

In 2022, the Commission embarked on a goal-setting process to identify focus areas that align with the Town’s 2021 Comprehensive Plan. The following are the topic areas and actions identified:  

1. Conserving Land
   • Protect significant natural resources, agricultural land, and open space, and develop an interconnected network of “public” open spaces and contiguous habitat.
   • Increase the amount of continuous greenspace throughout the community, improve property values, create scenic views, manage flood events, and attract wildlife.
2. Building Resiliency
   • Prepare for coastal hazards and sea level rise.
   • Protect the health of watersheds by directing growth to current growth areas.
   • Preserve and maintain existing farms and open spaces.
   • Preserve important connections to nature while finding new ways to connect people with the surrounding environment and natural resources.
3. Promoting Engaged Citizen Stewardship
   • Encourage feedback from and listen to residents about their ideas for conservation in Scarborough.
   • Provide education to residents on a variety of conservation topics.
   • Prepare communities for coastal hazards, flooding, and sea level rise.
   • Help residents mitigate invasive species and prevent harm from pests.

Activities

The Conservation Commission undertakes a variety of tasks including working with the Town Council, Ordinance Committee, and Staff to review and refine natural resources related ordinances, various educational projects, and maintaining an informative and useful website. The Commission is closely involved with the Scarborough Land Conservation Trust, the Friends of Scarborough Marsh, and the Town of Scarborough Parks and Conservation Land Board.

The Conservation Commission also acts as the Town's Pest Management Advisory Committee to oversee the Town's pest management policy. In this role, the Commission advises the Town Manager of any problems encountered or amendments required to achieve the full and successful implementation of an organic pest management program.

30x30

The Conservation Commission is currently working on increasing the amount of conserved land and open space in Scarborough. The Commission encouraged the Town Council to pass a resolution to support the 30x30 campaign, which is an effort to conserve at least 30% of Scarborough’s land by 2030. This ambitious target has been set at state, national, and global levels as a way to preserve landscapes and ecosystems that are needed to address species extinction and climate change. We believe Scarborough is the first municipality in Maine to adopt such a resolution.

Land conservation has many economic and environmental benefits, including enhanced property values, attracting business, increased access to recreation, improved health and wellbeing of residents, habitat protection, improved water quality, flood prevention, and many others. Achieving 30x30 will require creative partnerships and an “all hands on deck” approach. The Commission also successfully advocated for funding in Scarborough’s FY24 budget to complete an open space plan, which will provide a roadmap and strategies to help Scarborough achieve 30x30. 

30x30 Resources:

Fact Sheet
Conservation Principles

Authority

The Maine State Law (Source: MRSA, Title 30) gives conservation commissions:

• The authority to conduct research, in conjunction with the Planning Board, into local land area.
• Keep and index of all open areas within the town for the purpose of obtaining information relating to the proper protection, development or use of those open areas.
• Coordinate activities of conservation bodies.
• Distribute education information.
• Recommend programs for the better use and protection of open areas, whether publicly or privately owned, including open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands.

Current Members

Randi Hogan  | Chair | 2023
Vacant | 2024
Peter Slovinsky | 2025
Jessica Sargent | 2024
Richard Harvey | 2023
Marla Zando | 2024
Rita Breton | 2023
Maggie Vishneau | First Alternate | 2025
Cathleen Miller | Second Alternate | 2025

Jami Fitch
Sustainability Coordinator
Phone: (207) 730-4035
Email: jfitch@scarboroughmaine.org

Karin Shupe
Town Councilor
Phone: (207) 272-0454
Email: kshupe@scarboroughmaine.org