Gunpowder Watershed Clearinghouse Data Products

The Gunpowder Watershed Clearinghouse is supported by the Gunpowder Valley
Conservancy (GVC), Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), and Towson
University. It is hoped that this endeavor will satisfy the needs of Gunpowder
Watershed stakeholders and other interested parties. Having the information
organized by watersheds parallels progressive governmental efforts to address
environmental threats for protection and preservation. In addition, it begins
to divest our jurisdictional thinking towards the natural system.

Information is only useful if it is accessible. By making vital information
about the Gunpowder river basin accessible, the Gunpowder Watershed
Clearinghouse serves as a model for utilizing internet and geographic
information systems (GIS) technology to encourage informed public participation
in watershed management. Information included within this site includes land
use and land cover data, census data, satellite images, updates on ongoing
projects in the Gunpowder, and contact data for individuals and organizations
that have detailed information on particular subjects. Data is displayed in
the form of interactive maps, pictures, links, and text.

The term "Clearinghouse" is applied, rather than "website," in order to
reinforce the fact that this site is not meant to simply be a data bank, but is
instead intended to perform a service for the Gunpowder community by fostering
cross-watershed communication. In addition, helping the community to stay
aware of resources and activities in the Gunpowder Watershed results in many
dividends. Dividends of data sharing include greater cooperation between
groups working towards a common cause, and less replication of activities, both
of which lead to more efficient use of governmental and non-governmental
resources. Finally, it is hoped that the Gunpowder Watershed Clearinghouse
will foster a greater appreciation for this fairly unique, historically
significant, tremendously diverse, and indispensable resource.

[Summary provided by Towson University.]