Land Use—Current Projects

Open Space and Recreation Plans

Alford Open Space Plan - DRAFT

Alford Maps:

Surface Water
Scenic Views, Open Space and Historic Center
Flood Zones
Vernal Pools: Red dots = Potential vernal pools, green dots = certified vernal pools
Natural Communities
National Wetlands Inventory
Priority Wetland Habitats: Green hatched areas = protected open space,
blue cross hatching = priority wetland habitats
Biomap and Supporting Natural Landscape: Purple areas include habitat for documented state rare and endangered species (within last 25 years).
Biomap and Protected Open Space
Living Waters and Protected Open Space: Protected open space shown as areas in green hatching.
Purple portion of Alford Brook ranked as high priority by the state. Dark green area is important contributing area.
Biodiversity and Protected Open Space: Areas of high biodiversity are shown in darkest blue. These are predicted to be the areas with the highest biodiversity value in the Housatonic River Watershed (MA portion). Light blue to dark blue represents top 30% expected biodiversity value.
Biomap, Biodiversity, Vernal Pools and Open Space

Citizen Planner Training Collaborative (CPTC)

The Citizen Planner Training Collaborative (CPTC) provides local planning and zoning officials with the tools to make effective decisions regarding their community’s current and future land use by offering training programs, audio tapes, bylaws and educational modules via the Internet, and occasional conferences. Its member organizations include:

UMass Extension,
Department of Housing and Community Development,
MA Federation of Planning and Appeals Boards,
MA Association of Regional Planning Agencies, and
MA Association of Planning Directors.

The Collaborative is administered NREC and located in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning. For a comprehensive view of CPTC’s programs please go to the website at www.umass.edu/masscptc. The CPTC web site has undergone major upgrades and now includes an expanded bylaw collection thanks to an agreement with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office.

Objectives

• Maintain the Collaborative as a stable yet dynamic organization to promote collaboration among training providers
• Develop and offer a comprehensive basic training program across the state as well as continue to develop advanced training modules
• Complement the training programs of the Collaborative by providing information and education via other media such as increased use of the web and the sale of audio cassettes.
• Expand the financial base for training programs

South Central and Western Massachusetts Land Protection Program

This project is devoted to providing technical assistance, educational outreach and specific project facilitation on issues and programs relevant to land protection in the target area. The target audience includes local land trusts, open space committees, municipal boards and commissions and landowners. Secondary targets include professionals such as attorneys and accountants whose work may put them in contact with land protection issues and programs.

Objectives

• Raise the level of competence and professionalism in land conservation transactions, stewardship and monitoring;
• Provide educational and facilitative assistance to land trusts and municipal boards in an under-served portion of the state;
• Provide general educational opportunities and assistance to the general population and to municipalities in particular on issues relevant to land protection and growth management;
• Provide educational and training opportunities on issues relevant to land protection and growth management to professionals who interact with or may interact with land protection organizations or communities interested in doing land protection.

For information about estate planning issues for landowners click here:

For information on Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition Attorney Referral Panel Legal Advisories click here:

The Local Capacity Building Partnership

In December of 1998, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) contracted with UMass Extension for The Local Capacity Building Project (LCBP) to analyze training needs and catalog current training offerings to town Conservation Commissions, Boards of Health, Sewer and Water Commissions and Planning Boards. NREC now serves as a partner in this collaborative statewide approach among training providers to formulate recommendations for improving both curriculum and access.

Objectives

• To develop a framework for a comprehensive training system for municipal land use boards that would help support the capacity of local boards and water/wastewater commissions to protect the environment
• To promote creative collaboration among service organizations, environmental protection agencies, educational institutions and public officials

Massachusetts Wetlands Collaborative

In a process initiated and coordinated by UMASS Extension, six agencies and organizations are working together toward a coordinated approach to wetland education. In addition to Extension, this group includes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. EPA, MA DEP, the MA Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC), and the MA Audubon Society. NREC personnel offer training for Conservation Commissioners and Wetlands Consultants -either independently or through MACC, and in close cooperation with DEP.

Objectives

• Facilitate communication about wetlands education and training programs and the sharing of education resources among partners.
• Participate in cooperative needs assessment, program planning and priority setting.
• Work cooperatively to seek funding for program priorities.
• Respond collaboratively to address identified education and training needs.