Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Roan Highlands Conservation Planning Initiative: A GIS Approach for Implementing State Wildlife Action Plan Priorities

Andy Carroll, who has previously been associated with the Southern Appalachian Information Node (SAIN) through the University of Tennessee - Chattanooga, has completed a project with the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy and the Open Space Institute. The project was competitively selected for funding by the Wildlife Action Opportunity Fund. Southeast Regional GAP data sets were used in mapping application which is used to identify SWAP priority ecological systems. NBII is credited in the final report for hosting the public version of the mapping application. The project has led to new land acquisitions for conservation and was used to support the designation of a new North Carolina State Natural Area along the southern extent of the Roan Highlands. The final report of the project will be available for download from the SAIN website. Andy Carroll credits his previous involvement with SAIN and familiarity with GAP for the approach used in this project.

This team and a collaborative network of state wildlife action plan coordinators are submitting a proposal for developing a uniform multi-state view of SWAP priorities for the entire region.

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