A Land Preservation Framework A Land Preservation Framework for the Cacapon Watershed for the Cacapon Watershed

of West Virginiaof West Virginia

Michael P. StragerMichael P. StragerCharles B. YuillCharles B. Yuill

Natural Resource Analysis CenterNatural Resource Analysis CenterWest Virginia UniversityWest Virginia University

OverviewOverview

Land preservation in WV

Land conservation groups

Issues or challenges

MCA and DSS framework

Application in the Cacapon watershed

Summary / Conclusions

Why land preservation?Why land preservation?

Preserve existing land uses

Protect native plant species or wildlife habitat

Extend natural areas

Preserve historically significant land

Land conservation groupsLand conservation groups

West Virginia Land Trust

Mission to protect farms, forests, wildlands, urban green spaces, and historically significant lands

• West Virginia Cave Conservancy• Cacapon and Lost Rivers Land Trust• Indian Creek Conservancy• Land Trust of the Eastern Panhandle• WV Chapter of the Nature Conservancy

Issues faced by land trustsIssues faced by land trusts

• Limited budgets for conservation

• Reliance on easement donations

• Fragmented protected parcels

• Need for proactive planning

MethodologyMethodology

Spatial multi-criteria analysis (MCA) framework• MCA: A decision making framework for

problems with multiple goals, objectives and alternatives

• Spatial MCA: Alternatives vary with location

Decision support systemDecision support system

• An interactive, computer-based system designed to support a user or group of users in achieving a higher effectiveness of decision making

• Functions: • explore solutions by building alternatives • allow user interaction and input• provide for flexible data and analysis capabilities

(Jankowski, 1995)

EX: Cacapon River WatershedEX: Cacapon River Watershed

Cacapon Land TrustCacapon Land Trust

• Actively involved in preserving land through easements

• Mission statement:“… to assist landowners and their communities in maintaining healthy rivers, protecting forests and farms, and preserving rural heritage for the enjoyment and well being of present and future generations."

Decision making methodologyDecision making methodology

• Four objectives of Land Trust:

• Develop multiple criteria to meet each objective

AgricultureForests

Water qualityRural heritage

Criteria for each objectiveCriteria for each objective

Large intact interior forestThreat of forest conversionRiparian forested areasForest biodiversity and conditionAdjacent/connected forested blocksSingle ownership (private) of forested landEconomic viability and sustainability of forests

Natural streams, high quality waterSustain timber landsScenic viewsheds and scenic corridorsHistoric sites Recreational land use Valuable farm landsCulturally-significant placesScenic placesEncouraging stewardship by communityWild landsRural lifestyles and traditionsSignificant habitats and special natural areasFarms within viewshed

Farms in floodplainsFarms with unique features Economic sustainabilityFarms threatened by developmentFarms with sustainable ag practicesContiguity with other farmlands Farms, near a river Farms that use BMP’s Working family farms Farms on prime soils

Water Quality Rural Heritage

Agriculture

Forests

Forested riparian buffersLarge tracts of undeveloped landLands in proximity to protected areasGrassy riparian buffersGroundwater recharge areasHigh quality floodplains, wetlands, and streams Headwater streams

Assign weights to criteriaAssign weights to criteria

Analytical hierarchy process (AHP): • A pairwise comparison method• A choice and relative weight for strength of

preference

Weighting resultsWeighting results

Integration of componentsIntegration of components

GIS data layers

Preference weights

Prioritized locations

Solving algorithm

Forests

Implementation strategiesImplementation strategies

• Adapting results to the real world - “Can’t buy a pixel but you can buy a parcel”

• Additional issues and complexity in using parcels• Multifunctionality • Limited budget • Protection of contiguous areas

Decision support systemDecision support system

• Assists the Land Trust in parcel identification• Explores the solutions under different weightings• Proactively target high priority lands• Evaluate “walk in” easements• Interactively include/weight new criteria

Current statusCurrent status

• Land Trust is actively using the GIS data, ranking methodology and results in the decision support system (DSS)

• Easement acquisition is now more proactive• Evaluation of proposed easements is more

defendable• “I use the DSS weekly, and at times daily, to build maps, target

landowners, identify high priority corridors connecting conservation hubs to public lands, or to triage easement donations with the high priority lands.” - Nancy Ailes, Director, Cacapon Land Trust, April 23, 2004.

Summary / conclusionsSummary / conclusions

The Multiple Criteria Analysis (MCA) framework and Decision Support System (DSS) provides a valuable land management tool

Ability to document decision making process

Bottom up approach involving local issues and stakeholders

AcknowledgmentsAcknowledgments

Canaan ValleyInstitute

Cacapon Land Trust