East-West Gateway’s October 2022 Map of the Month shows a range of areas of ecological significance in the EWG region. The darker blues highlight areas with the highest amounts, while yellows represent the least. Ecological significance can be attributed to a range of factors including endangered animal species, rare or endangered plants or ecosystems, preserved open space, and connection to other biologically-important habitats.
This map was developed from recently updated and newly available datasets that are part of EWG’s Ecological Approach to Infrastructure Development Project (Ecological Initiative). The new 10 meter land cover and ecological significance data sets can be downloaded at no cost at www.ewgateway.org/eco.
Ecological Initiative is a multi-year effort that focuses on the region’s ecologically significant natural resources, while using mapping technology to help better inform transportation planning decisions as a pre-NEPA tool. The resulting datasets are tools providing environmental data for conservation, mitigation, and restoration, as well as useful information on the location and extent of ecologically significant areas. For more information, follow go to www.ewgateway.org/eco.