SmartConservation automates the application of a complex geospatial model for the prioritization of land preservation.

Client: Natural Lands Trust

Challenge: Open space is in high demand and it is increasingly important for conservation organizations to identify the areas of highest priority for preservation. In 1998 the Natural Lands Trust (NLT) began working on a multi-criteria decision-making model for the identification, evaluation and prioritization of landscape resources. The resulting SmartConservation model incorporated the input of 85 conservation officials and scientists from throughout the Delaware Valley region.  Once the model was developed, its widespread use depended on automation and availability to other conservation organizations.

Solution: Azavea created an automated version of SmartConservation, making it available to other land conservation organizations through a web-based interface and significantly decreasing the technical expertise needed to apply the model.  The application is a complex one, including field survey data entry, site boundary identification, and a series of raster-based calculations, charting, reporting, and visualization tools.  Azavea also developed new methodologies to extend and enhance the underlying assessment protocols.

Outcomes:SmartConservation is now a widely-used web resource for land conservation organizations with more than 150 registered users in the Delaware Valley region.  It helps NLT and other land conservation organizations to make increasingly difficult decisions about prioritizing land acquisitions and targeting the use of limited funds for the preservation of our natural resources.

Quote:  “We can rely completely on Azavea to make the best suggestions and recommendations to meet our needs on a performance outcome basis.” –Clare Billett, former NLT Project Manager

Website: http://www.smartconservation.org/scmAbout.asp