DACF Home → Bureaus & Programs → Municipal Planning Assistance Program → Technical Assistance → Planning Webinars
Natural Hazards and Land Use Planning for Maine Communities
Natural Hazards and Land Use Planning 101 Webinar Series
The Maine Coastal Program, Maine Geological Survey, and the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry’s Bureau of Resource Information and Land Use Planning invite you to participate in a series of webinars and in-person workshops on minimizing the impacts of natural hazards and enhancing community resilience. Topics include comprehensive planning, vulnerability assessments, infrastructure upgrades, and model zoning and ordinances. This educational series, running from August 2024 to early 2025, is designed for municipal staff, committees, and people from related fields interested in learning about mitigating impacts from natural hazards (such as wildfires, erosion, storm surge, and flooding). No prior experience necessary, all are welcome. Sessions require advance registration.
Questions, please contact: rachael.hamilton@maine.gov
Webinar Event Calendar
Save the date for future sessions! Join our email list to get notifications.
| Session Name | Featured Speakers | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 4th Session: Perspectives on Land Use Planning for Risk Reduction: A Community Panel Register here. |
Panelists to be announced soon. | December 11, 2024, from 4:00-5:30 pm – Zoom Webinar |
| 5th Session: Funding Hazard Resilience | Kelsey Preecs, Maine Emergency Management Agency Sue Baker, Maine Floodplain Management Program David Ludwig, Maine Bureau of Resource Information and Land Use Planning More to be announced |
January, 2025, TBD |
| Bonus: Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions | TBD | TBD |
Webinar Archive
3rd Session: Connecting Community Planning to Hazard Mitigation Planning, 10/24/2024
In the third session, we discussed incorporating hazard mitigation plans and community engagement into broader community planning and land use development efforts. Knox County EMA presented on the hazard mitigation planning process, what communities can do to better prepare for reporting after disasters, and how Knox EMA is using geographic information systems (GIS) to map hazards for the updated Knox County hazard mitigation plan. Joan Walton presented on opportunities to incorporate hazard mitigation into community planning, like capital improvement plans and the National Flood Insurance Program. Presentation available as a PDF.
2nd Session: Assessing Risk from Natural Hazards, 9/17/2024
In the second session in our Hazard Planning Series, we presented ways to start assessing hazard exposure (such as wildfire, erosion, and flooding) in your community. We discussed how risk levels or adverse effects from hazard exposure change based on several different criteria, including social vulnerability. Attendees left knowing how they could identify, or use a suite of online tools to identify, where there may be greater risk to natural hazards in their community. This session provided a foundation for determining, and justifying (e.g., when applying for a grant), areas that may require more in-depth analysis. Presentation available as a PDF.
1st Session: Introduction to Natural Hazards and Land Use Planning, 8/14/2024
As the first session in our Hazards Series, we started with the basics of natural hazards (wildfire, flooding, erosion) experienced by coastal Maine communities and how they connect to land use planning. Then we discussed potential actions you can take to address hazards proactively. This session did not cover strategies in depth but provided a starting place to make informed decisions in your community. Presentation available as a PDF.