PERU – The Peru Comprehensive Planning Committee is sponsoring a program Thursday that will show the diversity of natural resources in town.

Coleen Ryan of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will present the natural resource information in a PowerPoint format at 6:30 p.m. in the Peru Elementary School auditorium.

The presentation will include information on the town’s open space and how the promise of renewed growth may affect the town’s natural resources and open areas.

The program is part of a partnership of the DIFW, the Maine Natural Areas program, the State Planning Office, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Maine Audubon Society. All of them have focused efforts on the Beginning with Habitat program, according to a press release issued by Bill Hine, the chairman of the Peru Comprehensive Planning Committee.

The Beginning with Habitat program aims to help people become aware of the threats to open space, as well as its value now and in the future, according to the press release.

The presentation is also part of the Comprehensive Planning Committee’s research as it works to develop the town’s first-ever comprehensive plan.

A committee of eight, along with help from the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments, hope to have a document ready for action by residents at the 2005 annual town meeting.

At Thursday’s meeting, residents will also be invited to view maps of the town, ask questions and bring pencils to add their knowledge of the town’s natural areas.
[email protected]