GIS Modeling and Parcel Prioritization for Strategic Conservation Planning

1. GIS Modeling and Parcel Prioritization for Strategic Conservation Planning Meghan T. Jones September 24, 2019 1:40 pm – 2:10 pm Franklin Room C

2. Introduction • Human Modification of Landscape • Private and Public Land Ownership • Land Protection Patterns • Species Endangerment • Project Purpose

3. Three Valley Conservation Trust • Non-profit organization • Founded 1993 • Protection: • Spans 7 counties • Concentrated in 5 counties • Main proprietors in 2 counties Client Dedicated to conserving natural habitats, waterways, and agricultural lands in southwestern Ohio, for the benefit of present and future generations, through partnerships with people and communities. (TVCT, 2018) TVCT, 2018

4. TVCTExtent of Conservation • Five Counties • Butler – Main Proprietor • Hamilton • Montgomery • Preble – Main Proprietor • Warren • Number of Easements • 191 • Total Protection Area • ~ 2% land area

5. Conservation Criteria 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.2 Adjacency to Existing Protection Prime Agricultural Land Cover Presence of Streams Forested Land Cover Wetland Land Cover Parcel Size Presence of Desirable Land Cover

6. GIS Data and Collection https://www.shutterstock.com/search/tall+tree

7. Sub-models by Criteria • Each criteria has its own model • Models are stored within toolboxes • Each county has its own toolbox • Why? • Faster processing • Flexible use • Avoids raising model variability

8. Final Conservation Index Individual parcels scored 0-100 0 = low easement priority 100 = high easement priority Used to interpret/symbolize results Final index = results from sub-criteria In its own model/toolbox

9. Results Top 10 Parcels per County All Parcels Scoring 100 (514)

10. Tool Versatility: Example One An easement funding source prioritizes perennial  streams and riparian habitats • Quickly seek out appropriate parcels • Variables assessed refined • Only forested land cover and stream presence analyses • Streams weighted higher (0.6)  than woody riparian habitats (0.4) • New final calculation on priority score

11. Tool Versatility: Ex two A local amphibian conservation group has grant applications available for easements • Parcels of 300 acres or larger • Wetland habitat • Adjacent to existing protection • All variables are weighted evenly • New final calculation on priority score Tool Versatility: Example Two

12. Limitations and Future Work • Data Limitations Open Source Scale Combining Not A Comprehensive Analysis Cost Public Opinion Community long-term planning strategy • Future work • Free to Access! • Shared google drive location • User manual included • Submitted to ArcUser https://drive.google.com/open?id=1poRBPmbFdm-QJBodOqAz_ozf7Yluchq- Discussion

13. Conclusion GIS model created to evaluate and rank private parcels of land for conservation • Displays spatial distribution of conservation priorities on land • Versatile for funding sources • Quick results • Repeatability and reproducibility • Questions?

14. Thank You to the following: Miami University Department of Geography Robbyn Abbitt – Advisor Committee Members (Hays Cummins & Sarah Dumyahn) Three Valley Conservation Trust Kelly Wright & Laura Lake

15. Contact Information Thank You! Meghan T Jones, MA Taylormegh7@gmail.com(personal) mjones@ljbinc.com(work) 937-259-5048 (work) Three Valley Conservation Trust Oxford, OH office@3vct.org 513-524-2150