The Nature Based Strategies for a Climate Ready Southern Maine project team is pleased to share a new GIS-based decision support tool for nature based strategies to address coastal hazards in southern Maine.

This tool was developed to support implementation of the Climate Ready Coast – Southern Maine Regional Coastal Resilience Plan. Feedback received during that project indicated a need for more information about the ability of different coastal areas to support nature-based strategies.

The interactive tool includes three data layers to help support decision making:

1. Site Suitability Assessment: Indicates the relative biophysical suitability for nature-based strategies of locations along the southern Maine coastline, based on a weighted scoring system for environmental, wave exposure, topography, and erosion factors.
2. Socio-Political Feasibility Assessment: Describes proximity to key habitats, conservation lands, infrastructure, and other factors that may affect project feasibility.
3. Beach Priority Assessment: Identifies beaches that may benefit most from resilience actions using a relative scoring system that considers erosion rates, beach width, dune stability, and proximity to structures.

This tool was developed as part of a collaborative project with the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve, Nearview LLC, and the York County Soil and Water Conservation District.

For more information, reach out to Melanie Nash, Sustainability & Resilience Planner, at mnash@smpdc.org. 

 Jamie Houtz, Kennebunk River Harbormaster, with the new tide gauge.

Last month, SMPDC and staff from the Towns of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport collaborated to install a new real-time tide gauge sensor at Government Wharf in Kennebunkport. The Kennebunk River tide gauge was developed by Hohonu, a Hawaii-based flood monitoring company, and will measure water levels and flooding on the Kennebunk River for the next two years.

Real-time, historic, and projected tide level data for the Kennebunk River is now accessible to the public via Hohonu’s online dashboard and the TideCast smartphone app. Data collected by the tide gauge will also be used to develop a local hydraulic and hydrologic (H&H) model of current and projected future flooding along the Kennebunk River in support of ongoing climate resilience planning work in both towns.

To learn more about the Kennebunk River Hydrology Study project and options for local flood monitoring in your community, visit smpdc.org/kennebunkriver or contact Laura Berry, Sustainability & Resilience Senior Planner, at lberry@smpdc.org.  

We’re excited to share that Kennebunk just became the second municipality in the state to receive a SolSmart designation! SolSmart is a national program that helps cities, towns, counties, and regional organizations become solar energy leaders. It provides free technical assistance to communities interested in encouraging small scale rooftop and ground mounted solar.

On August 26, Megan Howe from SolSmart presented the Kennebunk Selectboard with a SolSmart Bronze designation plaque. Selectboard member Lisa Pratt thanked Megan on behalf of the Town, saying “Increasing solar usage in the town is a part of Kennebunk’s Climate Action Plan, so this is a great first step.”

Kennebunk received designation by completing several SolSmart criteria, including:

• Creating an online permitting checklist, increasing transparency for community members and solar installers
• Reviewing local zoning codes and identified restrictions that intentionally or unintentionally prohibit solar PV development
• Incorporating solar strategies and actions into the 2024 Kennebunk Climate Action Plan.

Sustainability & Resilience Division staff assisted Kennebunk’s planning staff with completing the criteria for SolSmart designation.



If you are interested in learning more about whether SolSmart might be a good fit for your community, reach out to Karina Graeter, Sustainability Division Director, at kgraeter@smpdc.org.

The Maine Trails Program is a new statewide initiative supporting trail design and development for outdoor recreation and active transportation. Up to $7.5 million per year may be awarded to trail projects. The program is administered by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands within the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Applications due September 26, 2025. Learn more.

The Maine Coastal and Marine Climate Fund is accepting applications for coastal and marine climate action projects to help communities carry out recommendations from the Maine Climate Council’s Coastal Marine Working Group. Applications due October 23, 2025. Email dan@broadreachfdn.org to apply. Learn more.

The Island Institute is accepting applications for Community Clean Energy Grants and Community Climate Planning Grants. Awards of up to $20,000 are available. Applications are reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis, now through June 1, 2026. Learn more and apply.

The Maine Community Foundation’s Land for Communities Grant Program is accepting applications for community land projects that increase relationships to land for underserved geographies and populations in Maine. Maximum award of $50,000. Applications are due September 15, with the next round opening in early 2026. View the informational webinar recording. Learn more on the program website.

Coming Up: The Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund will be accepting applications in March 2026. Administered by MaineDOT, the program provides direct funding to public entities to adapt critical infrastructure to reduce vulnerability to climate change. More information will be available this Fall. View the full list of 2024 awards.