Protecting Natural Resources

How We PROTECT Natural Resources — Guidance for Municipalities

Implementing the goals, objectives, and recommendations of Landscapes3. Download the brochure.

Landscapes3 Protect Forum — 2022

Chester County's 2022 Landscapes3 Protect Forum took place on April 19 via Zoom with a great turnout and lively discussion about what municipalities can do to protect the county's natural resources and promote clean energy through local actions and ordinances.

CCPC's Community Planner, Kate Clark, kicked off the forum by discussing local protection of natural resources such as proper planning steps, zoning vs. subdivision and land development regulations, and an overview of ordinance standard recommendations for the protection of woodlands, wetlands, steep slopes, riparian buffers, and floodplains. View Local Protection of Natural Resources PowerPoint Presentation

West Chester Borough's Sustainability Director, Will Williams, talked about protecting and growing West Chester's urban forest. His presentation included the benefits and challenges of adding street trees, as well as factors to consider when implementing urban tree initiatives within a community. View Protecting and Growing West Chester's Urban Forest PowerPoint Presentation

Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission's Manager of Sustainable Energy, Liz Compitello, discussed implementing clean and sustainable energy at the local level through solar ordinances. She highlighted municipal best practices and provided a thorough explanation on the framework and context of solar power across the region. View Solar Ordinances: Municipal Best Practices PowerPoint Presentation

The Director of Energy & Sustainability for Practical Energy Solutions, Paul Spiegel, provided an update on the community clean energy initiatives of the Northern Chesco Clean Energy Future Task Force, a project funded through the county's Vision Partnership Program. He noted the importance of electrification in transitioning to clean energy, efficient heating and cooling options, and reasons to support clean energy initiatives. View Northern Chesco Clean Energy Transition Plan PowerPoint Presentation

The Brandywine Creek Greenway Strategic Action Plan

The Chester County Planning Commission partnered with the Brandywine Conservancy in 2015 to develop a set of natural resource protection standards to support the Conservancy's Brandywine Creek Greenway initiative. The Natural Resource Protection standards provide a template and background information for addressing natural resource protection through municipal ordinances. cover

Part 3 — Toolkit

Model standards start on page 327.

Additional forested riparian buffer standards that provide a higher level of protection start on page 363.

ConservationTools.org

The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association maintains a wide variety of natural resource and conservation guides, model standards, and other useful resource protection information on their ConservationTools.org website. The search box can be used to easily find information and model standards on specific resources.