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Phase 1:Land CoverLand use is defined as human-oriented uses of land such as low density residential, high density residential, commercial, institutional, industrial, parks, forest, and agriculture. Tables that document changes in land use over time frequently accompany the maps. An inventory of land use is usually conducted first for two important reasons. First, development is inextricably tied to a community’s land resources. Land and how a community uses it, shapes every part of a community’s economic, ecologic, social and cultural development and character. Second, a land use map is typically selected as a plan’s base map and planning area. Combined with other elements of the inventory – transportation, population, and housing – we can more fully understand the complex relationships occurring within the community and begin to see future opportunities and constraints that will influence future development. We employ a question format tailored to satisfy your interest in learning how your community’s land resources are being used and developing maps and tables that could contribute to a thorough inventory of land use.  What does my county look like now?
(view
aerial photos)Aerial photos provide a "birds-eye" view that can be very informative. Several years of aerial photos are available in the folder, Aerial Photos. To go directly to the photos, click on the link above. To get that "birds-eye" view of your county, print a map, and save your work, complete the following steps. 1. Select your county or city
2. Use the map service's tools to pan ( 3. If you find features or areas that you with to print, click on 4. To view the area at a later date, open the red toolbox ( 5. You may also email the document. Open the red toolbox, click on
the email button ( What
land cover changes have occurred in my community?
(view
land cover change map) 1. Select your county or city from the dropdown menu (  ) to view recent changes in land cover. The map you see summarizes the conversion of farmland, forestland, grassland, and bareland
to urban land between 1992 and 2003. Too much change, too little change or
conflicting changes in some areas (industrial next to residential) may
warrant further investigation and analysis.2. Use  to print and distribute the map or save the map for
embedding it in a document, slide show, report, or brochure.3. Open the red toolbox (  ) and click Save
( ) to store the map
session on your computer.
4. Open the red toolbox, click on the email button ( What other land cover data are available that I may find useful?
(view 2001 NLCD map)Several U.S. agencies funded the National Land Cover Data project that produced a 1992 Land Cover map and a 2001 Land Cover map. 1. Select your county or city from the dropdown menu ( )
to start the map service and view recent changes in land cover. The map you see
summarizes the conversion of farmland, forestland, grassland, and bareland to
urban land between 1992 and 2003. Too much change, too little change or
conflicting changes in some areas (industrial next to residential) may warrant
further investigation and analysis.2. Use to
print and distribute the map or save the map for embedding it in a document,
slide show, report, or brochure.3. Open the red toolbox ( )
and click Save to store the map session on your computer.
What agricultural land cover data are available that I may find useful?
(view
2007 NASS map)Every year, the National Agricultural Statistics Service develops a Cropland Data Layer. For questions related to the type and distribution of major agricultural crops, these yearly data layers are very useful. Select your county or city from the dropdown menus to start the map service and view the latest Cropland Data Layer. After the map service opens, you can toggle among the years to view changes. Use to print and distribute the map or save the map for embedding it in a document, slide show, report, or brochure. Open the red toolbox ( ) and click Save to store the map
session on your computer.
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)
and draw a rectangle (click and drag your mouse while holding down the
left button) around your county. Keep drawing rectangles to zoom
closer.
),
zoom in (
).
)
and follow the instructions.