Communities Facing Climate Change Adaptation

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

Session C: Communities Facing Climate Change Adaptation: Their Challenges and Successes

Session Facilitators:
Esperanza Stancioff, UMaine Cooperative Extension/ME Sea Grant
Malcolm Bursen, Conservation Law Foundation

Presentations Available

Climate Change Adaptation – Jon Carter

Presenters:
Michele Gagnon, City of Ellsworth Senior Planner
Jon Carter, Wells Town Manager
Elizabeth Hertz, Director, Municipal Planning Assistance Program, Dept. of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

(Presenters 1 & 2) What are the opportunities and challenges that Maine communities face in adapting to a changing climate? In this session participants will have an opportunity to hear how two towns are tackling these issues. What are the actions a community may take to reduce its vulnerability and increase resilience to the potential impacts of climate change? These towns are leaders in community involvement, team building, decision-making, and solution development.

(Presenter 3) The Maine Coastal Program provides funding and technical support to coastal municipalities interested in vulnerability assessment and climate adaptation planning. Projects to be discussed include an intermunicipal vulnerability assessment undertaken by the four towns surrounding Saco Bay; a county-wide approach to assessing vulnerability and developing adaptation options in Lincoln County; a marsh migration project based on community-driven goals and processes undertaken by six towns; and a downtown vulnerability study and development of adaptation options in the historic downtown of Damariscotta.