Ecological Prioritization GIS Tool Refinement and Development Project

About the Program

Category: Planning (Best in Category)

Year: 2021

The Ozaukee County Planning and Parks Department (Department) recognizes that a variety of planning tools are needed to confront growing threats to existing ecological resources and ecosystems from changes in the climate, land use, and invasive species. The Department’s Ecological Prioritization GIS Tool (Tool) has formalized a holistic process of comparing and prioritizing individual parcels for preservation and restoration through a GIS-based analysis to guide and improve decision-making for maximum ecological benefit while at the same time leveraging limited staff and resources. The Tool generates preservation and restoration scores for land parcels based upon various criteria and factors.Since 2016, the Tool has been critical in securing federal, state, and private foundation grant funding to support implementation of restoration and preservation projects, including completion of the Ulao Creek Habitat Restoration project, acquisition of multiple parcels prone to flooding on the Milwaukee River, and holistic restoration and acquisition of the Little Menomonee River Fish and Wildlife Area. Tool maps and outputs were critical for planning, policy decisions, fundraising, and public education and outreach components for all these projects. Tool outputs are shared with project partners, local officials, and the public to inform and help direct future ecological preservation and restoration efforts.