Our Goal: The goal of the Regional Conservation Planning (RCP) Program is to promote a proactive approach to conservation that protects Southeastern Massachusetts’ most important natural areas and resources; preserves the region’s rich natural heritage; and allows for compatible, managed growth.

Who are our partners?  The RCP Program works with municipal and private conservation and planning interests throughout Southeastern Massachusetts. This includes regional planning agencies, conservation commissions, open space and recreation committees, community preservation committees, planning boards, land trusts, watershed associations, and other non-profit conservation groups.

How do we work?  Our approach is twofold: we build capacity for local conservation efforts; and we develop and promote regional conservation planning. Our capacity building activities involve developing conservation tools and information, and delivering them to municipal and non-profit conservation decision makers. Our conservation tools include: ConservationMapper, our on-line mapping tool; Conservation Scorecard, a tool for prioritizing land for conservation; the Southeastern Massachusetts Natural Resource Atlas; Conserving Open Space, our guide to funding open space acquisition and stewardship; and Planning for Wildlife, our guide to improving municipal Open Space and Recreation Plans. (See Resources for links to these tools.) We promote regional conservation planning by taking a holistic look at all of Southeastern Massachusetts, and applying science and technology to identify key natural areas and resources, and working with municipalities and non-profits to apply this information at the local level.

Where are we based?  We are based where we work, in Southeastern Massachusetts. Program staff is based at Manomet Center for Conservation Science’s main facility in the Manomet village of Plymouth.

Where do we work?  We primarily work in the 60 cities and towns of Southeastern Massachusetts. This includes every community in Bristol and Plymouth counties, as well as communities in southern Norfolk County and western Barnstable County. However, many of our tools are applicable throughout Massachusetts.

Ms. Beth Brazil, Community Outreach Coordinator
bbrazil@manomet.org

Address:
Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences
Regional Conservation Planning Program
P.O. Box 1770
Manomet, MA  02345
(508) 224-6521