Sustainability Matters: Understanding Flood Risk: How Some Maine Communities are Preparing for the Future

October 6, 2025 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT)

Description

Sustainability Matters Fall 2025 3 CEU Class October 6, 2025 2 – 5 pm

Portland Museum of Art Auditorium followed by a reception at the Downtown Social

Sustainability Matters 2025: Understanding Flood Risks: How Some Maine Communities are Preparing for the Future

Back to back storms in Maine including the December 2023 Grinch Storm that caused the worst river flooding since the 1800’s and the two coastal storms that damaged or destroyed 60% of our working waterfront as well as damaging buildings, infrastructure and topography with record-breaking water levels and storm surge. The estimated damage to public infrastructure in Maine alone was $90 million, with an untold cost to FEMA and private insurance, businesses and the public.

Mainers immediately responded with funding from the state and flood insurers to assess the costs to rebuild with higher resilience in anticipation of even worse to come. Once again, the Sustainability Advisory Group of the Greater Portland Board of Realtors is calling on local experts, this time to detail the community response to rebuilding better.

How have Maine communities approached reducing storm and flood damage to topography, public infrastructure, and private property, both residential and commercial? i.e. elevating sea walls, piers, wharves, roads and bridges; introducing nature-based infrastructure; limiting floodplain development; and more.

Agenda

Julia Bassett Schwerin, Co-chair, Sustainability Advisory Group of the Greater Portland Board of Realtors and Maine Green Broker @ Advisors Living Real Estate

Topic: Introduction to Understanding Flood Risks: How Some Maine Communities are Preparing for the Future and Recognition of our Sponsors. Sea level rise is an existential threat to Maine’s coast property. Realtors represent property owners, so what this means and what we can do is need to know for us, for our business, for the entire population and tourism industry.

Dr. Peter Slovinsky, Maine Geologist, Maine Geological Survey and Member, Scientific and Technical Committee, Maine Climate Council

Topic: Frame the threat of sea level rise and coastal storms to coastal property in Maine, cite past storm characteristics and impacts, and review adaptation strategies that have been undertaken by private property owners, municipalities, and the State to further the resilience of coastal property. (25 min)

Brian Ambrette, Director, State Resilience Office, State of Maine

Topic: The reorganization of Maine’s climate disaster response initiatives into one State Resilience Office; the Community Partnership Grants helping over 250 towns mitigate and adapt to climate change impacts on buildings; infrastructure and the natural environment; and other projects to meet our carbon reduction goals in the Maine Won’t Wait plan; case studies from Maine towns with smart, innovative and unique approaches including cost/benefits. (25 min)

Satchel Toole, Commercial and Municipal Program Manager, Efficiency Maine Trust

Topic: How municipal building weatherization and electrification reduces reliance on energy supply, decreases the need for back-up power, increases passive survivability, improves indoor air quality and lowers carbon emissions in town halls, schools, public works buildings, etc., working in partnership with Community Acton Grants; case studies from Maine towns with smart, innovative and unique approaches including cost/benefits. (25 min)

Break (10 min)

Troy Moon, Sustainability Manager, City of Portland and Co-Director, One Climate Future

Topic: How does Portland, a city surrounded on two sides by a rising ocean, adapt to flooding and prepare for more in addition to the typical urban challenges. The sustainability team uses collaboration both within and outside the city; a well-developed plan for climate resilience, building and infrastructure benchmarking, weatherization, electrification and solarization; promoting carbon-free and low-carbon emissions transportation; and with South Portland, development of a risk-based asset management tool and following the One Climate Future plan of action. (25 min)

Julie Rosenbach, Sustainability Manager, City of South Portland, and Co-Director, One

Climate Future

Topic: How a small, diverse city surrounded on two sides by a rising ocean promotes economic well-being, strengthens community connections, and builds the resilience of its neighborhoods, infrastructure, and ecosystems to prepare for, withstand, and recover from the impacts of climate change in multiple dimensions; working in partnership with all departments in city government and organizations in the community, and in partnership with the city of Portland in the One Climate Future action plan. (25 min)

Julia Bassett Schweirn, Co-Chair Sustainability Advisory Group of the Greater Portland

Board of Realtors and Maine Green Broker @ Advisors Living Real Estate

Topic: Panel discussion and student Q and A (25 min)

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