Today we are saying a big thank you and “we’ll miss you” to Abbie Sherwin! Abbie is moving on after 7 years with SMPDC, serving as Resilience Division Director and formerly as Coastal Resilience Coordinator and Senior Planner.

Abbie has been an invaluable member of our staff and a driving force for coastal resilience planning in the region. Abbie has provided towns with her expertise on coastal adaptation, disaster preparedness, and climate change impacts, all while leading numerous projects including Climate Ready Coast, the first regional coastal resilience plan for southern Maine. She has also spread the word about coastal resilience efforts to a broader audience, having been interviewed by multiple news outlets about coastal resilience projects. We are excited to continue working with Abbie in her new position as a NOAA contractor providing technical assistance for climate resilience grant projects in the Northeast, including the $69 million Resilient Maine project.

Thank you Abbie, and congratulations on this next step in your journey!

SMPDC is partnering with the Biddeford & Saco Chamber of Commerce to welcome Central Maine Power for a discussion on CMP’s efforts to modernize Maine’s power grid in the face of growing energy demands and increasing extreme weather events. CMP will share their strategy for upgrading infrastructure, ensuring reliability for businesses and communities, and investing in a smarter, more resilient grid.

This event is a must-attend for small business owners, municipal leaders, and residents who want to understand the future of energy in Maine and how a modern grid will impact their lives and businesses. SMPDC will also share information about our Regional Energy Resilience Planning Project and ways to get involved in our upcoming focus groups.

Wednesday April 30th, 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Saco City Hall Council Chambers Room, 300 Main St., Saco

Registration: Register here

We are excited to announce that the Southern Maine Energy Navigator pilot program launches May 5th! The program will offer free technical and financial assistance to homeowners in Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Kittery, Ogunquit, and Wells in completing residential energy efficiency upgrades, such as improving insulation and installing heat pumps.

To learn more, visit energynavigatorme.org. Stay up to date by following the program's Instagram and Facebook! 



Questions about the Energy Navigator pilot program? Reach out to Kaya Williams at kwilliams@smpdc.org.

Our Sustainability and Resilience team enjoyed participating in the annual Maine Sustainability and Water Conference in Augusta earlier this month. Melanie Nash delivered a presentation on nature-based solutions for coastal resilience at Ogunquit’s Main Beach parking area, while Kaya Williams co-facilitated an insightful discussion on home energy coaching and introduced the upcoming Southern Maine Energy Navigator Pilot Program. Looking forward to next year!

The Rural Climate Partnership offers grant funding to organizations who support rural-led and rural-serving organizations. The program prioritizes communities smaller than 50 thousand acres with population density under 10,000. Awards range from $20,000 - $100,000 for project work and from $75,000 - $150,000 for general operating support. Letter of Inquiry forms are reviewed on a rolling basis. Learn more here.

The National Coastal Resilience Fund, funded through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), has published their 2025 Request for Proposals. The program will make investments in planning, design, and implementation of nature-based solutions to enhance protection for coastal communities from impacts of storms, floods, and other natural hazards while improving habitats for fish and wildlife. Watch the informational webinar recording here. Pre-proposals are due Tuesday, May 6th. Learn more here.

The Trust for Public Land has opened applications for their On Common Ground grant program, a national research and capacity building program that supports parks and public space projects to foster social connection and bridge community divides. Projects should align with either park stewardship and volunteerism; participatory planning and decision making; or park programming, activation, and recreation. Awards range from $20,000 - $30,000. Watch the information session here. The application will close on May 9th at 6:00 pm EST. Learn more here.