LMA Mapping Issue: To implement the planning principles, need a map identifying the various landscape management areas Solution: Create a map that identifies the areas where key environmental resources were present

Municipal Boundaries 1958 Fort Saskatchewan CFB Edmonton Edmonton This Landsat photo shows what the BH area is – a distinct ecological unit. The green areas on this Landsat satellite photo represent forested lands – the red are cleared areas (mainly agricultural lands) and the purple are developed (typically urban) areas. What you don’t see are the underlying features that make it unique. The BH are a hummocky glacial moraine left by retreating glaciers. It’s higher than surrounding plains – in essence it’s a series of gravel hills with small depressions in between. The higher elevation creates a cooler, wetter climate and the terrain and underlying sediments act as a great big gravel sponge – holding surface water that percolates into underlying GW aquifers. As a result, it plays an important role in regional water supply – extending well beyond it’s physical boundaries into the surrounding farmland. Also because of the climate, vegetation here is more similar to the boreal forests of the north and because of the rough terrain, it’s experienced far less clearing than the surrounding plains, where agricultural development focused. As a result, the area has continuous forests that allow for movement between the adjacent natural subregions. They also support a diverse community of plant and wildlife species, including rare and economically important species. The current threat to the BH is urban growth, not only from Edmonton but all urban areas surrounding the Beaverhills, which is rapidly encroaching on the area. Internally, the demand for rural residential development is also increasing. This Landsat photo series compares the extent of development over the past 45 years Here we’ve overlaid grey to show the extent of urban development in 1958. Leduc

Municipal Boundaries 2004 Bon Accord Gibbons Lamont Fort Saskatchewan Chipman Sherwood Park Municipal Boundaries 2004 St. Albert Edmonton Beaumont Over the past 45 years, all of the urban centers surrounding the BH have expanded significantly. Pressure is building on the borders of the BH, and may soon extend into this environmentally significant area. Although only growth of urban centers is shown here, growth of rural residential areas has undergone a similar rate of development, both within and adjacent to the Beaverhills. In order to conserve the key features of the BH that make it unique – surface and groundwater supply, vegetation and rare species – we need to identify the areas where they are most abundant. I.E., we need to map out the cumulative resources of the BH Leduc Tofield

Methods Developed a model that summed the resources of interest into distinct LMA’s Relied on existing datasets available in a GIS format Focused on landscape features What we needed to do was to summarize the resources evident in the Landsat as the LMA’s identified in the Planning Principles document We used a GIS system and previously compiled information available primarily from government resource agencies to develop a model summing up – identifying – areas where multiple resources were present. Although the Planning Principles identified social features – quality of life, property rights – these were not easily transferred to this exercise. Instead we focused on the biophysical features that make the BH unique

The LMA Model (v.3.1) © Glynnis Hood © Lorne Fitch © Glynnis Hood © Glynnis Hood Used data representing the various landscape principles – i.e., the features of concern Biodiversity Native upland habitat and wildlife corridors Wetlands Species of Concern Water Streams, lakes, rivers Groundwater recharge & discharge zones Land Suitability Agricultural soil capability Land management Biological capacity (habitat restoration potential) Awarded points for areas where features occurred Summed the number of points for each location across the BH area © AB Public Lands

Mapping Results Map represents the results of the model: Provincial or federal parks are Green LMA’s (Protected Landscapes) Areas with multiple values present (3 or more) were designated as Blue LMA’s (Natural Water & Wildlife Linkage Landscapes) – areas where conservation effort should be focused Those with few values present (score of 1-2) as Yellow LMA’s (Country Landscapes) – areas that have experienced some development, but offer opportunities for enhancement or restoration Areas with high value soils for crops and previously developed areas (i.e., without native vegetation, water, rare species) considered White LMA’s (Multiple Use Areas) – areas where such land use practices are well-suited and could continue sustainably Comparing to the Landsat photo, we captured the key areas of greenspace and the obvious water features – IE the model worked well

What Does It Do? Land Use Plan and MDP development Site-specific evaluation of proposals Identify opportunities for conservation or development So, now that we have this model, what can we do with it? Land Use Plan and MDP development Are existing LU zones compatible with LMA planning principles? Overlay analysis using existing plans Site-specific evaluation of proposals ‘Red-flag’ potential issues at application stage Identify opportunities for conservation or development Restoration areas, focus areas for public outreach Zones suitable for development

Version 3.1 Draft (with hydrogeology) Version 3.1 Draft (without hydrogeology) Examples of application: Circled areas represent a few areas with rural residential development pressure Maps can be used to identify potential issue areas – e.g., the blue zones identified on the map including hydrogeology and the version without it Planners can develop management strategies for lands adjacent protected areas – particularly those with Blue Zone designation mainly because of groundwater concerns Future proposals for development within potentially sensitive areas can be flagged at the approvals stage for additional review and mitigation Opportunities for restoration and conservation projects can be targeted in critical linkage areas

Future Mapping Map is a work in progress Based on existing & accessible information Next year – add more precise data More refined maps more accurate planning

Mapping - Summary Tools for Analysis Information for Decision-making The rest…….. Is up to you! The mapping component of the BHI business plan has provided: Tools for analysis of appropriate development Information to support land use decisions Under the BHI’s vision, these materials, as well as information on appropriate and sustainable land use for the various LMA’s, will be available to municipal councils, land use planners, NGO’s active in the area and, ideally, the public – the next steps in developing a sustainable community are up to each of these groups, including you here in this room