Conservation Corridor Base and Thematic Maps August 20, 2010 This project is funded in part by the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program at the Department of Environmental Quality through Grant #NAO9NOS4190163 of the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended.
Overview Recap of Past Meetings Map Development Method Base Map Thematic Maps Map Review
Recap May 21, 2010 Information Session Green Infrastructure 101 Conservation Corridor Planning in NoVA
Conservation Corridor Planning in Northern Virginia GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE Refine state analyses using local data and priorities. Identify & map high value cores and corridors across the region. Highlight opportunities for regional connections. Quantify benefits of these areas. Develop draft model language for potential incorporation of GI/CC into local planning efforts. Develop communication products and strategy for promoting conservation opportunities to elected officials and the public.
Overview of GI Planning Steps 1) Asset Mapping (what are the existing ecological, cultural and economic assets) 2) Risk Assessment (which of the assets above are at risk) 3) Opportunities (what kind of community do we want? what projects, programs, policies to ensure assets conserved?) 4) Policy Implementation (adoption of asset maps, strategy maps, integrate into comprehensive plans, park plans etc.)
Recap July 8, 2010 First Work Session & Individual Meetings with Jurisdictions Crash Course on Green Infrastructure Planning Applications Review Draft Base Map (Unprotected Resources)
Park and open space planning GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE Green Infrastructure Planning Applications Identify lands for PDR or TDR programs Tree canopy surveys and management Transportation planning: roads and trails New ordinance development Species protection Heritage tourism and viewshed protection Public Regulatory Private Voluntary
Base Green Infrastructure Network
Area of Wildlife Action Plan Tier 1 Essential Habitats Conservation Site B-rank Index SCU and T&E Waters Index Variety of Unmodified Wetlands Total Area Ecological Integrity Topographic Relief Index Length of Streams in Interior Forest Image: VA Dept. of Conservation and Recreation Core Isolation Index Depth of Interior
High Priority Conservation Areas + Connected, Good Quality Landscapes + Contributing Landscapes Base Green Infrastructure Network
Developing a Regional Base Map Data Sources Virginia Department of Forestry Land Cover & Forest Cover Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Ecological Integrity Model, Natural Lands Network, Conserved Lands VCU-CES Aquatic Resource Integrity Layer USGS National Hydrology Dataset FWS National Wetland Inventory Local GIS Managers CBPA, streams, parks, etc.
Identify and incorporate water resources conservation assets Identify and incorporate wildlife habitat conservation assets Identify and incorporate other supplementary criteria
Where are there opportunities for new or to expand existing nature-based recreation? GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
Opportunities to expand buffer along conserved lands? High value resources currently unprotected?
Enhancing & Protecting Water Quality Streams Drinking Water Sources Wells
Conserving Our Cultural Heritage Historic Sites & Districts Battlefields