Wetlands are water treatment systems that are used to fortify vegetation, soil, and other healthy bacteria. They are composed of pools of water and many species of vegetation. They improve the water quality of the surrounding areas by allowing water to slowly flow through the wetlands and trapping sediment, nutrients, and unhealthy pollutants. Additionally, they are aesthetically pleasing and can reduce odors typically associated with wastewater. The Maine Wetland Program, a division of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, offers a comprehensive monitoring program that assesses the health of wetlands throughout the state. Each wetland is monitored for the amount of algae and macro invertebrates living in the water. There are excellent indicators of the water quality, as even small changes from pollutants or other toxins cause these levels to change. Keeping these wetlands in optimal health ensures that flooding prevention and water absorption are maximized. It also keeps wells from going dry due to consistent water flow. Though the solution is fairly labor-intensive, it is comparatively less expensive than traditional wastewater treatment options and has low operating costs. Overall, this nature-based solution is a good choice for using water to mitigate climate change.

Packard Littlefield Farm, located in Lisbon, Maine, is a regenerative farm that practices organic farming to preserve ecosystems and utilize organic animal manure instead of chemical fertilizers. The farm, owned by the Daley Family and protected by the Androscoggin Land Trust and the Farms for Maine Future Program, provides land, food security, and training to refugees and immigrants. The farm uses no-till techniques to prevent carbon dioxide emissions and maintain soil integrity, making the soil healthier and more effective at storing carbon and nutrients. Locally grown crops also reduce transportation emissions, keeping produce fresh with fewer preservatives. Additionally, crops and plants provide fresh oxygenated air and absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, which helps mitigate climate change. Socially, Packard Littlefield Farm offers financial assets and food security to immigrants and refugees, while also fostering a healthy community through the provision of fresh and local produce. The sale of local foods boosts the regional economy and deters the payment of large importing costs on foreign produce. Overall, regenerational farms support ecosystems and promote healthy communities while also benefiting the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change.

The Forest Carbon Task Force was created by the local Maine government and was primarily developed as a result of the state’s 4-year climate action plan. The program aims to develop a voluntary program for small-to-medium-size woodland owners in Maine who want to utilize their land for long-term storage of carbon emissions. There are a variety of benefits that are associated with the Carbon Task Force, the obvious being that more carbon emissions are stored in the forest and the air is cleaner. This program also helps conserve forests so endangered and critical species are not at risk for habitat loss. Aside from the ecological benefits, this program can help jumpstart the local economy and bring the community together. However, some things need to be taken into consideration when implementing this program. Firstly, this program requires a lot of funding, which is not always accessible to the government. This program also takes a lot of time to implement and only works if local woodland owners volunteer to be a part of the program. Local laws and policies also may dictate how the program runs. Overall, this is a really great program that can be a useful tool for small local communities in Maine to combat climate change.

Near New Meadows River, a new homeowner wanted a house that was eco-friendly and consciously made, so she decided to construct an eco-home with a green roof. Her house contains a “planted roof”, which is a roof that has a variety of plants growing on it. It also mainly uses natural materials for the rest of the house, such as different types of timber and stone flooring. Natural sunlight lights up and heats the house, lowering emissions and heating costs (Falzano, 2012). These types of homes provide homeowners with a sustainable, cost-effective house that keeps them close to nature. In addition, they are extremely beneficial to the environment that surrounds them. Minimal development is needed to build these homes, and they allow animals and insects to stay in the area. Furthermore, less pollution is emitted into the environment, they are more energy efficient, and planted roofs reduce water runoff (Falzano, 2012). These houses also give people more opportunities to be outside while they tend to their planted roofs, and they cost less than traditionally-built houses. However, one drawback is that zoning limitations or other regulations could inhibit the construction of an ideal structure. Eco-homes like these are an important solution that can help Maine reduce its carbon footprint.