Conserved Land Inventory

<p></p><p>This dataset is the first attempt categorizing Vermont’s conserved lands following the definitions in Act 59, as interpreted by the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board and described in the Vermont Conservation Strategy Initiative Inventory Report (August 2024).<br /></p><p>Explore the Initial, Conserved Lands Inventory <a href='https://vtanr.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/e1496e31bbd145288e8e3b6e0e2138d0' target='_blank' rel='nofollow ugc noopener noreferrer'>Dashboard</a> to visualize and summarize the data submitted.  </p><p>The GIS data published originates from the Nature
Conservancy’s 2022 Secured Areas Dataset; a compilation effort showing
protected areas in 18 eastern states that are permanently protected from
development. Using that product, the Conservation Categories Workgroup completed an
exercise of categorizing the parcels into the three conservation categories
identified in the <a href='https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/Docs/ACTS/ACT059/ACT059%20As%20Enacted.pdf' target='_blank' rel='nofollow ugc noopener noreferrer'>CRPBA</a>. The categorization was completed consistent with the interpretation
and recommendations of the Conservation Categories Workgroup Report.</p><p>After the categorization, the data was provided to ANR GIS to facilitate ArcGIS Online partner access and refreshing the data with acquisitions from May 2022 to 2024. A complete data refresh for the GMNF was done using a March 2024 version of their management areas dataset. For the ANR, newly acquired parcels were added and available land use classification mapping, associated with long-range management planning, was compiled and categorized by land managers and ecologists. The categorized land use mapping replaced existing mapping for units where it was available. VLT provided GIS data for newly acquired lands between May 2022 and May 2024. TNC updated primary stewarded parcels prior to exchanging data with ANR GIS. Efforts to add other stewarded parcels were not attempted.</p>

<p>Category Definitions:</p>

<p>1) “Ecological reserve area” means an area having permanent protection
from conversion and that is managed to maintain a natural state within which
natural ecological processes and disturbance events are allowed to proceed with
minimal interference. </p>

<p>(2) “Biodiversity conservation area” means an area having
permanent protection from conversion for the majority of the area and that is
managed for the primary goal of sustaining species or habitats. These areas may
include regular, active interventions to address the needs of particular
species or to maintain or restore habitats. </p>

<p>(3) “Natural resource management area” means an area having
permanent protection from conversion for the majority of the area but that is
subject to long-term, sustainable land management. </p>

<p>Lands categorized as Ecological Reserve Area and
Biodiversity Conservation Area are consistent with the interpretation and
recommendations of the Conservation Categories Workgroup Report and were
categorized by staff at VT TNC and VT FWD. The Uncategorized Conserved Lands are
lands identified as Gap 4 in TNC’s Secured Lands Database. These lands will be
further reviewed and considered in Phase II of the CRBPA effort. Lands
categorized as Natural Resource Management Areas are lands that did not meet
the criteria of an Ecological Reserve Area or a Biodiversity Conservation Area,
and that were not identified as Gap 4 in the Secured Lands Database. </p>

<p>Additional near term development:</p>

<p>Stewarded layer views of the initial public release are
still accessible to VLT, TNC, GMNF and ANR staff to manage or recategorize
until September 1, 2024. At that time, the initial Conserved Lands Inventory
will be a static product to serve as a baseline for the conservation vision and
goals of the CRPBA.</p>