As our region continues to grow, we see more and more conflicts that arise between humans and the natural landscape. Decisions are made every day about the locations of a new residential development, water treatment plant, new routes for transportation, schools, shopping centers, trails, and parks. Each of these decisions has some impact (positive, negative, or both) on both human and natural communities. While we often have detailed information about economic trends, infrastructure needs, and housing densities, we rarely have comparable data and information about the natural landscape that provides the very places where new growth and development takes place.
help them decipher the trade-offs of such decisions. New condominiums or a new park? A paved road that goes through a forest, or one that curves around the perimeter? Spending money on a new water treatment plan or spending money to protect a watershed? Protecting a parcel next to the French Broad River or in the West Asheville neighborhood? In order to understand the benefits and drawbacks of each option, leaders and practitioners need to have access to good science and available data and information about natural systems at the local, county, and regional scales.
from various state and county agencies, governments and conservation organizations and house it in one place. Three separate assessments were developed based on the priorities identified in the region:
spruce-fir forest, high quality stream, soil type, existing farm, or the presence of a rare species) to illustrate their high, medium, or low relative value related to the specific assessment goal. In addition to these three assessments, additional data was compiled to create an informational map that shows the region's recreation lands and conserved lands. Unlike the assessments, the landscape features were mapped but not ranked or assigned any specific value. A map showing the region's cultural resources is also being developed.
For more information on each assessment, including the work group members, conceptual model, fact sheet, and list of data sources for each assessment, click on the Assessment title above. How may the Assessments be used? The assessments and the informational maps may be used:
|








| A Project of Land-of-Sky Regional Council 339 New Leicester Hwy. Asheville, NC 28806 ph: (828) 251-6622 fax: (828) 251-6353 |
| Linking Lands and Communities in the Land-of-Sky Region Creating a framework for conservation and development that respects community values and natural systems |