VAMLIS GeoCon 2024

Along with other tools, the Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF) uses open-space easements to protect land across the Commonwealth. These easements are designed to protect conservation values, including a variety of natural and cultural resources. However, the process of evaluating potential easements can be time-intensive and financially costly. In order to maximize efficiency and ensure that VOF is protecting areas consistent with the conservation goals of VOF and the Commonwealth, we developed an ArcGIS WebApp and Excel template that make up the SCORE tool. SCORE aids VOF staff in identifying, evaluating, and ranking the conservation values of potential projects. The conservation values are categorized and represented in SCORE by a variety of spatial layers hosted by VOF and other state and federal agencies. The WebApp utilizes the Screening widget to identify conservation values on and around potential easement projects. The SCORE tool has proven to be a key piece in streamlining the easement decision-making process at VOF and helping to make sure valuable conservation resources are being protected.