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

    In order to make more informed decisions about  how land is used, decision-makers need more accessible
    information to 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 understands 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.

    The ecological assessments conducted for the Linking Lands Project serve to address this need, and pull
    together data 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:




    Based on the goals for each assessment, relevant data is used to rank lands based on their landscape
    features (e.g., 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.

    To see a diagram of the Assessment Development Process, click here         

     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 Will the Assessments be Used?

    The assessments and the informational maps will be used:
  •  to identify the region's natural hubs and corridors that will make up the green infrastructure
    network.
  •  as a resource for planners and decision-makers at the local, county, and state levels
  •  as a resource for land trusts and other conservation organizations for evaluating conservation
    projects
                      
    The individual input data layers will also be available for those groups who are interested.
Linking Lands and Communities
in the Land-of-Sky Region
Creating a framework for conservation and development that    
respects community values and natural systems
339 New Leicester Hwy. Asheville, NC 28806
ph: (828) 251-6622     fax: (828) 251-6353
A Project of Land-of-Sky Regional Council

Interested in
learning more about
Green infrastructure
planning?
Check out these
upcoming training
courses offered by
The Conservation
Fund

A Strategic Approach
to Conservation
Planning Using the
Green Infrastructure
Approach

Planning for Climate
Change Using the
Green Infrastructure
Approach

GIS Tools for Strategic
Conservation Planning