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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.

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Overview

Recap of Past Meetings

Map Development Method

Base Map

Thematic Maps

Map Review

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Recap May 21, 2010 – Information Session

– Green Infrastructure 101– Conservation Corridor Planning in NoVA

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Conservation Corridor Planningin Northern Virginia

– 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.

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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.)

Overview of GI Planning Steps

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Recap July 8, 2010 – First Work Session& Individual Meetings with Jurisdictions

– Crash Course on Green Infrastructure Planning Applications

– Review Draft Base Map (Unprotected Resources)

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Park and open space planning

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

Green Infrastructure Planning Applications

Public

Private

Regulatory Voluntary

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BaseGreen Infrastructure

Network

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Length of Streams in

Interior Forest

Ecological Integrity

Variety of Unmodified Wetlands

Depth of Interior

Total Area

Conservation Site B-rank

IndexArea of Wildlife

Action Plan Tier 1

Essential Habitats

Topographic Relief Index

Core Isolation Index

SCU and T&E Waters Index

Image: VA Dept. of Conservation and Recreation

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High Priority Conservation Areas+

Connected, Good Quality Landscapes+

Contributing Landscapes

Base Green Infrastructure Network

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Developing a Regional Base MapData 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.

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– Identify and incorporate water resources conservation assets

– Identify and incorporate wildlife habitat conservation assets

– Identify and incorporate other supplementary criteria

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Where are there opportunities for new or to expand existing nature-based recreation?

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Opportunities to expand buffer along conserved lands?

High value resources currently unprotected?

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Enhancing & Protecting Water Quality

– Streams– Drinking Water

Sources– Wells

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Conserving Our Cultural Heritage

– Historic Sites & Districts

– Battlefields

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