Mass Audubon | Land Advocacy and Community Planning

Land Advocacy and
Community Planning

Welcome

How-to Guidebook

Workshops & Assistance

Sustainability Toolkit

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Land Advocacy and Community Planning

Land Use Information
In June 2009, Mass Audubon released Losing Ground: Beyond the Footprint, the fourth in a series of reports documenting changes in Massachusetts’ land-use and exposing the harsh reality of rapid habitat loss and sprawl. This publication and associated online interactive maps show patterns of recent development and their impact on the nature of your town and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Community Planning Resources
In response, Mass Audubon is providing assistance to help communities chart a more sustainable future for the benefit of both people and wildlife.

We have several sources of information and assistance that can help you play an active role in guiding your community’s future:

We have regional offices in Southeastern and Central Massachusetts. Learn more about our work in each of these regions here:

Shaping the Future of Your Community (2007), a citizen’s guide to involvement in community planning, land protection, and project review in Massachusetts.
Mass Audubon's Community Outreach and Assistance Program, including a Ongoing Workshop Series that will give you the tools you need for active involvement in guiding your community to a sustainable future.
Our Sustainable Communities Toolkit, where you can find additional links, references and resources

Regional Plans for Preservation and Development

Get involved in preserving the highest conservation priority lands in your region and helping to guide development to the places where it makes the most sense! Find out more and work with the regional planning agencies, municipal officials, conservation and business interests, and others in your area! Check out our Sustainability Toolkit and Implementation Toolkit to learn about how you can protect Priority Preservation Areas and support smart development of the Priority Development Areas in your community.

Blackstone Valley and Central 13 (13 communities from Boylston, arching west of Worcester and to the Connecticut border) Prioritization Projects.

495/MetroWest Development Compact Plan

This plan for 37 communities from Plainville to Westford, Worcester to Natick, was released in March, 2012.
Check out the Implementation Toolkit for links to many helpful resources for conservation and development in the 495 region and statewide!

South Coast Corridor Plan

This plan, for 31 South Coast communities, was developed to integrate planning for state transit investments with economic and land use development and the Commonwealth’s Sustainable Development Principles.
The Retrospective Report evaluates progress in implementing the plan.
An Update of the Plan is underway – get involved now!