Identify and advocate municipal climate action priorities
Conduct research, education, and outreach to determine COMMUNITY CLIMATE ACTION PRIORITIES, ensuring LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM needs are considered, and build local engagement and advocacy for MUNICIPAL CLIMATE ACTION
This action is appearing in our plan for the first time, it just sprouted.
Integrate
Integrate Agriculture & Climate Resilience
Leaders & Supporters of the Work
The Big Why
Planning for community resiliency in the face of a changing climate has never been more important. Recent climate weather events have had an impact across Maine and the region. The summer of 2023 saw incredible flash flooding in greater Lewiston Auburn. Nearby farms like New Roots Cooperative Farm and Liberation Farms experienced top soil and crop loss respectively due to these floods, which interrupted community retail and wholesale commitments. Ensuring that local farms are protected from the uncertainties of climate conditions from year to year and the damages following climate events, is critical to building a resilient local food chain supply. This happens most easily when communities center and recognize the growing impact of climate change. While the Local Foods Action Plan LA Coordinators heard climate action is a priority of the communities, public demand for this has yet to reach municipal decision-makers. Initial conversation with both municipalities has demonstrated a willingness and interest in better understanding what climate action models and approaches may work for them. Further research, education and outreach however, could help demonstate the need, and build local support for the prioritization of climate action plans. There is also grant funding available from the State for climate planning for communities and regional service providers; additional funding is available for collaborative proposals by two or more communities which could help further this effort.
Milestones
Currently, this action is in Sprout status. Are you excited by this action and ready to take action? Let’s connect.
Dig Deeper
Resources & Additional Materials