Dear Supporters, 

Our petition continues to gather more support, but we can do more to ensure a healthy, biodiverse ecosystem in Shutesbury. We believe that we can tackle invasive species, support native plant communities, protect wetlands and groundwater, and create climate resilience at the local level. 

Action Steps:

1. We are considering the next steps to protect biodiversity and human health in Shutesbury. If you live in Shutesbury and want to get involved, please click the link below and complete the brief survey. 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QJYNRSY

2. Speak up about the Community Preservation Plan! On Thursday, September 19, at 7 pm, the Shutesbury Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is holding a public hearing via Zoom to hear from the public about its priorities for the CPA (Community Preservation Act) grants. Every year, the CPC updates its plan, reviews grant applications, and approves proposals that are then sent to the Annual Town Meeting for approval by the voters of Shutesbury. The granting program, established by the Community Preservation Act, provides public funding for projects related to Open Space, Recreation, Historical Preservation, and Community Housing. The Open Space Goals currently include increasing protected open spaces to preserve: 

• Open fields and non-forested lands
• Woodlands, especially those extending contiguous forested land
• Areas most significant to watershed, wildlife habitat, and water quality, especially for aquifers and drinking water supplies
• Wetlands, well zones, agricultural land, water access, and existing open space parcels within developed neighborhoods
• Scenic vistas, roadside greenbelts, walking trails, and historic areas
• Natural resources from invasive species

We believe these goals are vital to our community. Still, there is more that the Community Preservation Plan can include to ensure that only the most environmentally responsible projects move forward.  

CPA projects should be reviewed based on their environmental impacts, climate change resilience, and biodiversity. When possible, Nature-Based Solutions should be prioritized. Improvements to the Community Preservation Plan would include adding goals to prioritize projects that utilize Nature-Based Solutions, enhance climate change resilience, and permanently protect important wildlife habitat, particularly areas that include locally significant biodiversity, a variety of habitats with a diversity of geologic features, and types of vegetation, and endangered habitats or species of plant or animal. 

Please send your comments to the CPC at cpc@shutesbury.org or attend the meeting tomorrow night and make a comment. The Zoom link can be found at shutesbury.org/calendars.