According to Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, the management priority areas represent sites where the “recommended primary conservation focus is to improve management strategies, to maintain high-quality habitat, given that the majority of the habitat is already under some form of protection.”
In our discussions with land trusts in preparation for this report, land trusts conveyed the need for additional statewide mapping, particularly forest health surveys, to inform land acquisition and easement decision making. Additionally, they noted that many areas of Pennsylvania are not contained in the PNHP data, which puts the need for local data collection on land trusts and others. As shown throughout this report, our research found many maps from different sources for various purposes, but none that convey a sense of existing corridors (including wildlife crossings), additional needs, and commonwealth priorities. In Section IV, we discuss mapping as a best practice.
Connectivity Priority Analysis (full report)
Source: Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program
LEGISLATIVE BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE HR 87: Current Status of Conservation Connectivity in Pennsylvania