Resources
This guide describes suggested actions community members can take to be more sustainable. From transportation to food waste to public health, there are many small ways you can help!
South Portland has extensive resources on getting started with native landscaping. Learn about their program and how you can start work in your own yard.
Local resources for starting and maintaining your resilient yard.
This five-step guide is intended to help you plan and plant a garden that supports native bees, butterflies, beetles, hummingbirds, flies, and moths.
Learn how to start your garden using the easy carboard method.
Efficiency Maine is the independent, quasi-state agency established to plan and implement energy efficiency programs in Maine. They provide residential rebates for energy upgrades.
An energy audit can help you decide where you are losing efficiency and which upgrades would be most beneficial.
MaineHousing’s Weatherization Program provides grants to low-income homeowners and renters to reduce energy costs by improving home energy efficiency.
National organization that provides many free resources, including a free energy coach class. Explore and sign up if you are interested!
Workshop #2 - Climate Education
When: Thursday, May 21, 2026
Where: New Gloucester Meetinghouse
Purpose: To educational workshop presented a summary of the recently approved Vulnerability Assessment and discuss upcoming funding opportunities that resulted from the vulnerability assessment process. This was then followed by a presentation on how you can improve native landscaping and highlighted the Resilient Yards program in South Portland. The workshop wrapped up with a presentation on how you can increase energy efficiency in your home. This included suggested quick wins, easy first steps, and longer solutions. Resources for how you can take action were also provided.
Workshop #1 - Climate Resilience
When: Thursday, April 17, 2025
Where: New Gloucester Meetinghouse
Purpose: To share information on the project and for community members to provide feedback, concerns, and priorities on how climate change will impact the town
Summary: The workshop kicked off with a presentation that included an introduction to various climate hazards affecting Maine, an overview of the project's process, and an initial analysis of the vulnerabilities identified in New Gloucester. Following the presentation, attendees had the opportunity to ask questions, explore maps and initial project findings, and share input at various stations around the room. The feedback collected at the workshop will be analyzed along with the quantitative data to guide the final report.
Some concerns identified by residents at the workshop:
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stormwater management and groundwater contamination, especially within the Lower Village area and along Intervale Road
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health of natural resources, such as trees, water, and native pollinators
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resilience of infrastructure to extreme weather events ​
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lack of education for climate change impacts