Nature-Based Climate Solutions

Learn about open space and nature-based climate solutions in Burlington

Burlington Open Space Protection Plan

Share your input January-February 2025, or via online form. Learn more about the Open Space Plan at the City of Burlington website.

WHAT IS "OPEN SPACE" IN BURLINGTON?

Burlington is a place where open spaces and the built environment are intertwined with one another in a symbiotic relationship that helps to make Burlington the unique place that is it. The conservation of open space enhances the quality of life for residents and allows for the continued functioning and restoration of the natural systems of which we are a part. Open space consists of natural areas, urban agriculture, parklands, greenbelts, rain gardens and pocket parks. 

Round 1 of Open Space Plan input

Share your input!

Make your voice heard about your relationship with Burlington's open spaces and what you want its future to look like! Share your stories and dreams with us so we can make sure they're represented in the plan.

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PAST OPEN SPACE PLANNING EFFORTS

Burlington's original Open Space Protection Plan was adopted in 2000 grew out of a 1997 City Council Resolution calling for the creation of “a plan to protect important natural areas and open spaces” and had a variety of goals related to identifying, protecting, and preserving the City's natural areas and open spaces. The City's 2014 Open Space Protection Plan Update inventories open space lands and characterizes them with respect to natural areas, urban agriculture, parklands, and green infrastructure. The Plan also assesses the proximity of residents to existing open space amenities such as community gardens, parks, and the waterfront. The information in the Plan can be used to identify underserved areas of the city and to determine the best places for open space protection and related open space amenities like community gardens and parklands. 

Burlington continued to further the goals of the Open Space Protection Plan in 2022 through the adoption of "Nature Based Climate Solutions: An Addendum to the Burlington Open Space Protection Plan".This addendum was written to further the goals identified in earlier plans, including the Open Space Plan and PlanBTV: Burlington’s Comprehensive Plan, while specifically identifying nature-based solutions that will combat climate change. 

Nature-based solutions

Hungry for more?

Discover more about nature based climate solutions in Burlington by reading the 2022 Addendum to the Burlington Open
Space Protection Plan!

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Tree in foreground with Burlington Wildways trail blaze and barn in background.

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