Natural Resources is one of six pathways in Wellesley’s Climate Action Plan (CAP). The CAP Natural Resources Action Dashboard tracks progress on implementing CAP natural resources actions. Each action supports a CAP goal and strategy. The dashboard indicates the status of each action (“not started,” “in progress,” “implemented”) and provides numerical values for metrics associated with each pathway. Scroll down to view action status and metrics.
Goal 1: Wellesley’s natural assets are protected and enhanced to deliver the highest ecosystem services.
Goal 2: Nature-based solutions are prioritized to enhance the Town’s resilience.
Strategy 1: Enhance and protect the existing tree canopy.
Develop a program to maintain and improve the tree canopy.
Details: The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) completed a Tree Canopy Assessment in June 2023. The assessment provides the number of trees to be planted in order to reach the CAP goal of 60% tree canopy.
Lead Departments: Natural Resources Commission, Department of Public Works (DPW)
Status: In Progress
Augment existing free tree distribution program to prioritize locations/communities vulnerable to extreme heat impacts and tree species adapted to heat and drought.
Details: The Tree Canopy Assessment provides recommendations for the locations to target and tree species to plant to mitigate heat islands and drought. NRC increased its tree planting budget for the next several years and is exploring the feasibility and use of a Tree Bank for tree planting on private property beyond 20 feet from the Right-of-Way.
Lead Departments: Natural Resources Commission, Department of Public Works
Status: In Progress
Explore establishment of a Town tree nursery.
Details: NRC and DPW identified a potential location for a tree nursery on Town property. The next step is to confirm approval from the Town department that owns the property and appropriate funds for establishment and maintenance of the tree nursery.
Lead Departments: Natural Resources Commission, Department of Public Works
Status: In Progress
Strengthen the Tree Preservation Bylaw and community education about the Bylaw.
Details: In May 2023, Planning Board adopted new rules and regulations for the Tree Preservation Bylaw updated at Special Town Meeting in 2020. NRC will carry out an audit of changes occurring due to the updated rules and regulations in 2-3 years.
Lead Departments: Planning Board, Natural Resources Commission
Status: In Progress
Strategy 2: Advance smart and efficient use of water by all community members.
Identify and implement the most effective programs for residential, commercial, and institutional sector water conservation.
Details: DPW recently developed goals related to water conservation. DPW is assessing water use for irrigation to see if further rules and regulations are warranted. DPW started a partnership with the EPA Water Sense program and plans to adopt some of the program's initiatives. Current outreach initiatives include: information on DPW's website about water conservation insideand outside the home, handing out info at special events, promotions like Fix-a-Leak week, and posts on social media such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. DPW is monitoring compliance with irrigation regulations and targeted outreach resulted in compliance by over 50% of those contacted. DPW also piloted a new leak detection method.
Lead Departments: Department of Public Works
Status: In Progress
Regulate outdoor water usage.
Details: Current regulations call for best practices when water is plentiful and restrictions take effect if the state declares a Stage 1 drought.
Lead Departments: Department of Public Works
Status: In Progress
Strategy 3: Enhance educational and engagement programs that promote and protect the benefits of Wellesley’s natural resources.
Lead by example with municipal adoption of sustainable landscaping best practices and use of electric landscaping equipment.
Details: DPW designated four parks as Green Zones where electric landscaping equipment is used for ground maintenance.
Lead Departments: Department of Public Works
Status: In Progress
Provide educational programming for residents, businesses, and institutions to promote the protection of biodiversity and electrification of landscaping equipment.
Details: NRC is converting parks to support biodiversity such that homeowners can use them as a model. NRC developed online videos and other promotional materials.
Lead Departments: Natural Resources Commission, Climate Action
Status: In Progress
Develop a professional landscaper database and encourage landscapers to participate in sustainable landscaping education programs.
Details: As a first step towards launching this action, a Climate Action intern developed a list of local landscaping companies.
Lead Departments: Climate Action, Natural Resources Commission
Status: Not Started
Mobilize volunteers to support community agriculture.
Details: NRC oversees the community gardens. Fresh vegetables from gardens are donated to the food pantry.
Lead Departments: Natural Resources Commission
Status: In Progress
Strategy 4: Minimize stormwater run-off.
Explore and pursue opportunities via bylaw changes and Town approval processes to minimize impervious surfaces throughout town.
Details: The new Stormwater Utility Enterprise Fund will have a credit policy aimed at increasing awareness of and providing incentives for minimizing impervious surfaces.
Lead Departments: Department of Public Works, Planning Department
Status: In Progress
Seek Town Meeting approval for a stormwater utility in line with federal requirements.
Details: Annual Town Meeting 2023 voted to establish a Stormwater Utility Enterprise Fund. Implementation, including collection of fees, begins in Fiscal Year 2024.
Lead Departments: Department of Public Works
Status: Implemented
Streamline the application and permitting process for removal of impervious surfaces and introduction of low impact development.
Details: To be determined
Lead Departments: Building Department
Status: Not Started
Use nature-based solutions to minimize stormwater on municipal land.
Details: DPW has integrated the use of nature-based solutions for stormwater runoff into the planning and review process for all municipal projects. DPW continues to look for opportunities to employ nature-based methods to manage stormwater.
Lead Departments: Department of Public Works
Status: In Progress
Strategy 5: Prioritize the role of wetlands in enhancing Wellesley’s resilience to climate change.
Identify opportunities to protect, create, expand, and connect wetlands.
Details: NRC and other departments are exploring the idea of adding flood storage in wetlands connected to Longfellow Pond. Wetlands protection is carried out through regulations and permitting.
Lead Departments: Wetlands Protections Committee, Natural Resources Commission
Status: In Progress
Include climate resilience in wetlands regulations.
Details: The Wetlands Committee is drafting revisions to the wetlands regulations. The committee is considering how to address climate resilience and impervious surface control.
Lead Departments: Wetlands Protections Committee, Natural Resources Commission
Status: In Progress
Natural Resources Metrics
Acronym Key:
GHG emissions = greenhouse gas emissions
EVs = electric vehicles
MLP = Municipal Light Plant; DPW = Department of Public Works; WPS = Wellesley Public Schools
BETR = Building Energy Tracking and Reporting program