The ALT Greenprint - a regional conservation agenda

The ALT Greenprint is a culmination of two years of work that involved collecting relevant GIS datasets from government agencies, universities, and others to identify lands that can play a role in addressing the threats of flooding, landslides, and loss of scenic character and biodiversity of Allegheny County.  The data were processed resulting in a map of highly functional natural infrastructure recommended for conservation through direct protection, local legislation, and landowner participation. The map has been integrated into the first Allegheny County (Pennsylvania) Comprehensive Plan.  Major findings include (1) mature woodlands intercept up to 76 percent of the annual precipitation which is equal to 30 inches in southwest Pennsylvania; (2) Allegheny County is at a tipping point with 50 percent of land visible from its four major rivers urbanized; and (3) a comprehensive woodland conservation effort is necessary to maintain Allegheny County’s water quality, avoid increased flood events and peaks, reduce landslides, and maintain scenic character and biodiversity.