Interactive Map

If you are familiar with Interactive Mapping (ArcIMS), feel free to

Go to Map!

Two Important Tips

The Basics | Map Layers | Scale Dependency | Legend | The Tool Bar | Full State | Zoom In | Zoom Out | Back | Pan | Identify | Distance | Area | Export PDF | Print a Map | Troubleshooting

The Basics

Welcome to the One NC Naturally Conservation Planning Tool. The purpose of this map viewer is to provide integrated statewide natural resource information from the most current data available to support compatible land use planning efforts. For more information about the Conservation Planning Tool, click the About tab located at the upper left side of the map viewer.

There are several things to notice about the interactive map. When the Conservation Planning Tool is first accessed, the entire state of North Carolina is displayed at a very small scale. The interstate highways are indicated by dark pink lines, the counties are outlined in brown, conservation areas have black cross-hatching, and the colors of the landscape-level biodiversity assessment fill in the background. Along the left side of the map viewer is the Map Layers pane that contains all the data layers available for viewing. The navigation tools are found in the Tool Bar across the top of the Web page. Finally, at the lower left is the Map Status box that displays information about the layers and tools currently active on the screen.

Outer Continental Shelf Important Bird Area

The Map Layers

The Map Layers pane is located on the left side of the map viewer and contains all the data layers available for viewing. The data layers are arranged in groups within folders. Simply click on the folder icon or its name to open the folder and view the layers contained within it. A check mark in the box next to the layer name indicates that a data layer is turned “on” and thus may be viewed on the map. Map layers can be turned on or off by checking or unchecking these boxes.

After you turn a layer on or off, you must click the Refresh Map button located at the bottom of the Map Layers pane to update the map with your changes. How long it takes to refresh the map is dependent on the number of layers that are turned on, the level of detail they contain, and the scale at which you are viewing them. Therefore, to shorten the refresh time, wait to turn on additional layers until you are zoomed into a small area. Also, please remember that:

Scale Dependency

Some layers will not be visible even when turned on until you have zoomed in below a certain scale. This is because the layer has too much detail to be displayed when zoomed out. The scale at which a layer is displayed is found in parentheses after the name of the layer in the Map Layers pane.

The scale of the map can be found in the information box at the lower left of the map viewer. You can change the scale of the map to a specific value by using the Change Scale function in the Map Status box or by using the Zoom tools in the Tool Bar.

The Legend

The legend contains additional information for the Biodiversity/Wildlife Habitat Assessment layers and the Conservation Lands layer. To access the Legend, click on the Legend tab located at the upper left side of the map viewer.

A key to the colors displayed by the Biodiversity/Wildlife Habitat Assessment layers and the cross-hatching of the Conservation Lands layer is located at the top of the Legend:

Below this is a table that contains information on interpreting the Conservation values of the Biodiversity/ Wildlife Habitat Assessment “Local View” that pops up when you use the Identify tool (see Tool Bar section located below for more information on this tool).

The left column of this table lists the names of the different categories that contribute to the Final Relative Conservation Value. Next to that are columns that list the possible Values for each category and the Individual Input Layer(s) used to generate these values. Zero is also a possible value and indicates that a particular category is not present. The Individual Input Layers column lists in parentheses and italics the agency or conservation group who provided the original layers used in the Biodiversity/Wildlife Habitat Assessment. For more information on the Biodiversity/Wildlife Habitat Assessment, see the One NC Naturally Conservation Planning Tool Report, which can be found at the Web site listed at the About tab.

The Tool Bar

The tool bar that is located across the top of the map viewer contains the tools used to navigate around the interactive map, print a customized map, and perform other functions. Each tool is indicated by a button. When you move your cursor over each button, a short description of the function of each tool is displayed. To activate a tool, click on its button; an activated tool is indicated by a box around it. When you first access the Conservation Planning Tool, Zoom In is the active tool. The Map Status box at the lower left also displays the tool that is currently active. Note: Only one tool can be used at a time.

This tool returns the map to the view of the entire state of North Carolina.

This can be accomplished in two ways: 1) Left-click once on the map to zoom in with that location at the center of the map; or 2) Hold down the left mouse button to draw a Zoom box. Upon release of the mouse button, you will zoom into the approximate area covered by the box.

Like Zoom In, this is accomplished two ways: 1) Left-click once on the map to zoom out with your chosen spot at the center of the map; or 2) Hold down the left mouse button to draw a Zoom box. Upon release of the mouse button, you will zoom out to the approximate area covered by the box.

This is the “go-back” button for the map; this tool lets you to return to your previous view.

This tool lets you drag the map in order to view a new area. Activate the tool, and then move the mouse cursor over the map and left-click, holding the mouse button down while sliding the mouse to move the map. The map will redraw upon letting go of the mouse button.

The shapes that make up a map layer are called features; every feature has information associated with it. This tool allows you to view the information associated with the features in a layer that is turned on. For example, if you want to see the Biodiversity/Wildlife Habitat Assessment at a specific spot, zoom into that area, and turn on the appropriate Biodiversity/Wildlife Habitat map layer. Activate the Identify tool, and then left-click on the spot about which you would like more information. A new window will open that shows a list of map layers on the left and the information for each of the features that were located at the point you selected on the right. Note: This query takes a few seconds to appear.

Note: For more information on interpreting the values of the Biodiversity/Wildlife Habitat Assessments that are displayed in this table, please see the Legend. The Legend is accessed by clicking on the Legend tab at the upper left side of the map viewer. Also see the Legend section of this User’s Guide. Note that a value of “0” indicates that a particular category is not present at your chosen spot.

Because the map layers are “stacked” on top of each other, there may be more than one feature present at a given spot. In the above example, in addition to Biodiversity/Wildlife Habitat Local View layer, the Biodiversity/Wildlife Habitat Landscape View, Conservation Lands, and County Boundaries layers were also turned on, so information is available about the features from those layers that are located at the selected spot.

The information in the right pane is for the top-most layer, which is the Biodiversity/Wildlife Habitat Local View. To view the information for the features in the other layers, click on the layer name in the list on the left; the information will then update in the right pane. When you are finished, simply close the window or click on another spot.

Thistool is used to measure the distance between two points on the map that you select. To use the tool, click on a point on the map; the coordinates for this point are displayed in a table in the left pane. Click on a second point and the coordinates of that point are displayed, a line segment between the points is created, and the length of the line is shown. Additional points can be added to create multiple line segments, in which case the length of each segment, its geographic coordinates, plus the total distance of all segments is shown in the table. To clear your measurements, click on the Clear Screen tool in the tool bar or click on the Layers button at the upper left to display the Layers pane.

Thistool is used to outline the space for an area to be calculated. Use the right mouse button to add a minimum of three points to the map. Line segments are created between the points as the geographic coordinate of each point is shown in the left pane. Once three points are added, the area of the resulting polygon is displayed. You can continue to add points to change the shape of the polygon; the area is updated automatically. To clear the polygon, click on the Clear Screen tool in the tool bar or click on the Layers button at the upper left to display the Map Layers pane.

This tool guides you through the steps to create a customized map that you can export as a PDF file, which you can then save or print. To exit the Wizard at any time, click on the Layers button at the upper left.

Print a Map

See under the Tool Bar section above.

Troubleshooting

If the map viewer seems slow: The Conservation Planning Tool map viewer may take a long time to refresh the map or to return information when you use the Identify tool. The speed of these processes depends, in part, on the speed of your Internet connection. Please be patient and remember:

To speed it up: You can shorten the time it takes to refresh the map by waiting to turn on additional layers until you are zoomed into a small area. Similarly, you can speed up the time it takes to get results from the Identify features tool by turning off any layers that you do not need.

If the map viewer stops responding: If the Conservation Planning Tool becomes unresponsive or “freezes,” press and hold down the Ctrl button and then press the F5 button on your keyboard. This will refresh the map and return you to the view of the entire state. You will then need to zoom back into your area of interest.

Other concerns: If you are having trouble using the map viewer or have additional questions, please see our contact information located atthe About tab .

August 2, 2006
APNEP Science and Technical Advisory Committee Meeting, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Site: Greenville Centre, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.
Public Welcome
Contact: Dean Carpenter, 919-715-7735 or Dean.Carpenter@ncmail.net

August 3, 2006
10th Anniversary of Establishment of CWMTF by the General Assembly of North Carolina

August 13-14, 2006
CWMTF Board of Trustees reviews acquisition projects in Wallace in Duplin County.

August 14, 2006
Approximate deadline for state agencies to apply for grants from the Natural Heritage Trust Fund.

August 15-17, 2006
NC Soil and Water Conservation Districts employees workshop in Southern Pines.

August 17, 2006 at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville
August 24, 2006 at The Summit at Haw River State Park
August 30, 2006 at River Park North in Greenville
"Planning for Growth- Aquatic Ecosystems and the Environmental Review Process" - Three one-day workshops designed to help city planners, elected officials, town managers and developers to protect aquatic ecosystems while streamlining the environmental review process. For registration information, go to http://www.ncwildlife.org/planningworkshop/aquatic_workshop.pdf

August 27-29, 2006
National Association of Conservation Districts (Southeast U.S. annual meeting) in Asheville at the Grove Park Inn

BACK TO TOP

September 7-10, 2006
NC Association of County Commissioners meets in Winston-Salem.

September10-11, 2006
CWMTF Board of Trustees reviews infrastructure/wastewater projects in Surry County.

September 14, 2006
NC Environmental Management Commission Meeting, 9:00 AM
Site: Ground Floor Hearing Room, Archdale Building, 512 S. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC, Public Welcome
Contact: EMC Recording Clerk, 919-733-7015 x 202

September 20, 2006
Soil & Water Conservation Commission Meeting in Raleigh at NCDA Soils Lab

September 21, 2006
SCDA&CS Farmland Trust Board Meeting in Raleigh

September 21-22, 2006
NC Coastal Resources Commission Meeting, Southern Area, NC
Contact: NC Division of Coastal Management, 252-808-2808. 1-888-4RCOAST

Sept. 28-29, 2006
NC Marine Fisheries Commission Meeting, Atlantic Beach, NC
Contact: NC Division of Marine Fisheries, 252-726-7201 or 800-682-2632

BACK TO TOP

October 4-6, 2006
North Carolina Chapter of American Planning Association meets in Hickory.

October 5-8, 2006
North Carolina Grange's State Convention at North Raleigh Hilton

October 8-9, 2006
CWMTF Board of Trustees reviews restoration projects in Washington in Beaufort County.

October 13-22, 2006
One NC Naturally exhibit will be featured in Our Land, Our Legacy tent at State Fair in Raleigh.

October 15-17, 2006
NC League of Municipalities holds its Annual Conference in Greensboro.

October 20-21, 2006
Board of Trustees of Parks & Recreation Authority meets at Medoc Mountain State Park.

October 23, 2006
Deadline to submit surveys, appraisals, environmental assessments, and other documents to CWMTF in order to be reimbursed for acquiring conservation easements and land in fee simple in calendar year 2006.

October 24-45 2006
Board of Trustees of Natural Heritage Trust Fund meets at Lake Lure.

BACK TO TOP

November 9, 2006
NC Environmental Management Commission Meeting, 9:00 AM
Site: Ground Floor Hearing Room, Archdale Building, 512 S. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC, Public Welcome
Contact: EMC Recording Clerk, 919-733-7015 x 202

November 9-11, 2006
NC Chapter of the American Association of Landscape Architects meets in Boone.

November 12-13, 2006
CWMTF Board of Trustees prioritizes 2006B projects in Raleigh.

November 15 , 2006
Soil & Water Conservation Commission Meeting in Raleigh at NCDA Soils Lab

November 16-17, 2006
NC Coastal Resources Commission Meeting, Central Area, NC
Contact: NC Division of Coastal Management, 252-808-2808. 1-888-4RCOAST

November 28-30, 2006
Southern Appalachian Man and the Biosphere (SAMAB) Conference will be held at the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

BACK TO TOP

Nov. 30-Dec.1, 2006
NC Marine Fisheries Commission Meeting, Hatteras, NC
Contact: NC Division of Marine Fisheries, 252-726-7201 or 800-682-2632

December 1, 2006
Deadline for local governments, state agencies, and non-profit conservation organizations to apply for grants from CWMTF (2007A Spring Cycle).

December 1, 2006
CWMTF's Annual Report to the General Assembly is due. Deadline for local governments, state agencies, and non-profit conservation organizations to apply for grants from CWMTF (2007A Spring Cycle).

December 3-5, 2006
North Carolina Farm Bureau's Annual convention

BACK TO TOP

January 6-9, 2007
North Carolina Association of Soil and Water Districts Annual convention in Wilmington

January 7-8 , 2007
CWMTF Board of Trustees meets in Raleigh.

January 24 , 2007
General Assembly of North Carolina convenes in Raleigh

January 25-26, 2007
NC Coastal Resources Commission Meeting, Morehead City
Contact: NC Division of Coastal Management, 252-808-2808. 1-888-4RCOAST

January 31 , 2007
Parks and Recreation Trust Fund deadline for local governments to apply for grants

BACK TO TOP