Keeping the character
of the valley
The first step in making informed land use decisions is to know the asset value of different land types. Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping is a computer system that can show data related to physical locations. For example, Great Land Trust, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, and the Mat-Su Borough have worked to prioritize critical habitat for fish and wildlife, wetlands that are essential to regional water quality, and wildlife and recreation corridors. GIS mapping allows us to visualize where these are located in relation to each other and to communities, farms, and neighborhoods. We can analyze them from a 10,000 foot view or zoom in to a specific parcel. This information is essential to gain a better perspective on the benefits provided by different lands across the valley.
More information on community assets mapping is available at www.greatlandtrust.org