Precision Conservation in the Susquehanna River Watershed: Tools and HighResolution Datasets for Watershed Organizations and Community-Based Strategies for Success

Elaine Langone Center, Forum

To pilot a new innovative approach to conservation, Chesapeake Conservancy, Susquehanna University, Bloomsburg University, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources are collaborating to harness newly available high-resolution GIS datasets and tools to conduct precision conservation in an effort to better focus restoration efforts on the ground. This project aims to demonstrate improved efficiency, effectiveness, and returns on investment through better site selection prioritization and support technology transfer to broaden adoption across multiple regions in the Susquehanna. This talk will outline community-based tools for implementation partners and landowners created in our pilot region of Centre and Clinton counties, monitoring work associated with Precision Conservation, and highresolution datasets available for watershed groups across the Susquehanna River Watershed. In the future, we will be scaling these tools across the Susquehanna River Watershed to guide best management practice implementation where we can achieve the greatest water quality benefits and inform landowners of restoration opportunities as well as the conservation professionals who can provide assistance with projects.