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Chapter 2: A Place Where We Conserve and Steward our Land for the Future

We’re seeking community input on policies and strategies related to protecting and enhancing Groton’s natural resources. This short survey asks whether you support, support with changes, or do not support a series of proposed approaches for this topic area. Your feedback will help guide how Groton safeguards its environment and strengthens climate resilience for future generations.

For context as you respond, you may find it helpful to refer to the Chapter 2 draft. Click here to view it.

Natural & Coastal Resources & Open Space

1.  

Policy 2.1: Develop Programs to Steward All of the Town’s Properties.

2.  

Strategy 2.1a: Identify and prioritize Town-owned open space land, whether for passive recreation or conservation, in need of management plans (new or updates to existing) to address long-term needs such as invasive species management, trail development and maintenance or forest management.

3.  

Strategy 2.1b: Strengthen public access to the coast by developing a plan that identifies and enhances existing access points and prioritizes areas to acquire for new parcels or easements.

4.  

Strategy 2.1c: Ensure that all Town-owned trails are mapped and easily available on the Town’s website, as well as commonly used trails apps.

5.  

Policy 2.2: Regulations and Policies Should Reduce Impacts on the Natural Environment and Should Restore and Enhance the Town’s Resources.

6.  

Strategy 2.2a: Expand the Town’s existing Low Impact Development (LID) policies into a more comprehensive regulation strategy that promotes sustainable stormwater management, green infrastructure, and resilient urban growth through, at a minimum, the Town’s Zoning Regulations, Subdivision Regulations, and Road & Drainage Standards.

7.  

Strategy 2.2b: Refine the Town’s prioritization framework for land conservation to emphasize consideration of wildlife habitat, resource linkages, hazard mitigation benefits, and greenway connections/expansion so the Town can more proactively target properties that serve these needs.

8.  

Strategy 2.2c: Maintain and encourage agriculture in Groton and encourage activities that promote local food production, not only on active farms but on Town owned properties and individual homes. This might include supporting community gardens, expanding allowable agricultural uses on residential properties, or planting fruit bearing trees in Town-owned parks for public consumption.

9.  

Strategy 2.2d: Target areas in Town with low tree canopy coverage and/or heat-vulnerable areas for tree plantings. Use the Groton Tree Inventory and findings from the 2023 Planning for Extreme Heat project as data sources.

Getting to Know You

The following questions are optional, but we hope you'll answer them.

Why? It's important to know who we're reaching. We want to make sure ALL voices in Groton are heard. If we find that people from certain neighborhoods or backgrounds aren't being heard, we need to figure out a way to reach them. All questions are optional, and all answers are anonymous.

Thank you for your cooperation!”

10.  

What is your age?

11.  

What gender do you identify with? 

12.  

What neighborhood do you live in?

13.  

How do you identify your race and/or ethnicity (please check all that apply)

14.  

What is your total annual household income?

15.  

What is your employement status

16.  

If employed, do you work...

17.  

Do you identify as having a disability?

18.  

What is the highest degree or level of school that you have completed?

19.  

Do you own your home or rent?

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