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<DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;"><P STYLE="font-weight:bold;font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Protect COA</SPAN></SPAN></P><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>Data included:</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> The goal of the Protect COA is to move land into a legal status, permanently protecting it from development or other transformation that would alter the major ecological characteristics. The ecological data used habitat suitability maps based on the best available data for 14 species of greatest conservation need (SGCN). The 14 species modeled were American oystercatcher (</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN STYLE="font-style:italic;"><SPAN>Haematopus palliatus</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>), eastern whip-poor-will (</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN STYLE="font-style:italic;"><SPAN>Antrostomus vociferus</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>), bridle shiner (</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN STYLE="font-style:italic;"><SPAN>Notropis bifrenatus</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>), brook trout (</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN STYLE="font-style:italic;"><SPAN>Salvelinus fontinalis</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>), eastern hog-nosed snake (</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN STYLE="font-style:italic;"><SPAN>Heterodon platirhinos</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>), ribbonsnake (</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN STYLE="font-style:italic;"><SPAN>Thamnophis saurita saurita</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>), spotted turtle (</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN STYLE="font-style:italic;"><SPAN>Clemmys guttata</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>), wood turtle (</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN STYLE="font-style:italic;"><SPAN>Glyptemys insculpta</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>), eastern pondmussel (</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN STYLE="font-style:italic;"><SPAN>Ligumia nasuta</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>), frosted elfin (</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN STYLE="font-style:italic;"><SPAN>Callophrys irus</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>), tiger spiketail (</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN STYLE="font-style:italic;"><SPAN>Cordulegaster erronea</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>), yellow-banded bumble bee (</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN STYLE="font-style:italic;"><SPAN>Bombus terricola</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>), New England cottontail (</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN STYLE="font-style:italic;"><SPAN>Sylvilagus transitionalis</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>), and tricolored bat (</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN STYLE="font-style:italic;"><SPAN>Perimyotis subflavus</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>). These 14 species represent one or more key habitats and/or a taxonomic group. The key habitats included open upland, forested upland, estuarine, palustrine, land water interface, lacustrine, and riverine. The key habitat maps were compiled from existing geospatial data including the </SPAN></SPAN><A href="https://clear.uconn.edu/projects/landscape/ct-highres/" STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>NOAA 1 m Coastal Change Analysis Program Landcover Data</SPAN></SPAN></A><SPAN><SPAN>, </SPAN></SPAN><A href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/14/5/1091" STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>Connecticut Young Forest and Shrubland Habitat Map</SPAN></SPAN></A><SPAN><SPAN>, </SPAN></SPAN><A href="https://www.usgs.gov/national-hydrography/nhdplus-high-resolution" STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>USGS National Hydrography Dataset Plus</SPAN></SPAN></A><SPAN><SPAN>, </SPAN></SPAN><A href="https://deepmaps.ct.gov/maps/ef85cf0c55394065a8a74ea97fbd7ede/about" STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>Connecticut Hydrography Set</SPAN></SPAN></A><SPAN><SPAN>, and </SPAN></SPAN><A href="https://deepmaps.ct.gov/maps/82672ae5f3764021b9a4804f524f928b/about" STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>Connecticut and Vicinity Town Boundary Set</SPAN></SPAN></A><SPAN><SPAN>.</SPAN></SPAN></P><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>View the full methods for all COAs in Appendix 4.6 in the </SPAN></SPAN><A href="https://portal.ct.gov/deep/wildlife/connecticut-wildlife-action-plan" STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>2025 CT State Wildlife Action Plan</SPAN></SPAN></A><SPAN><SPAN>. </SPAN></SPAN></P><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>Spatial Prioritization:</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> Zonation software iteratively ranks each pixel in a 10.0 m resolution grid of Connecticut for its conservation value and gives each cell a score based on that ranking, prioritizing areas with a high density of layers, balance between layers, and minimizing conservation loss. Rank values range from 0-1, with 1 having the highest conservation value and 0 having the lowest. Each layer is given a relative weight based on its importance compared to the other layers used, where a positive higher weight makes that layer a higher conservation priority compared to the other layers. All 14 SGCN habitat suitability models and the 7 key habitat maps were input into Zonation with equally positive weights of 1.0. The rank values above 0.80 or top 20% of values were extracted to create the Protect COA. To reflect the goal of the Protect COA to create new protected areas, areas currently under local, state, or federal protection were excluded from the final Protect COA. Existing protected areas were compiled from </SPAN></SPAN><A href="https://deepmaps.ct.gov/maps/80c5e61b6e86423d9089350785e709a3/about" STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>Connecticut Protected Open Space Mapping Set</SPAN></SPAN></A><SPAN><SPAN>, </SPAN></SPAN><A href="https://deepmaps.ct.gov/datasets/CTDEEP::federal-open-space/about" STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>Federal Open Space Data</SPAN></SPAN></A><SPAN><SPAN>, </SPAN></SPAN><A href="https://connecticut.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=30a56c26b85741b5a4604315d193f9e1" STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>USGS Protected Areas Database</SPAN></SPAN></A><SPAN><SPAN>, </SPAN></SPAN><A href="https://deepmaps.ct.gov/maps/8a494fc64d8f460fa77771273be30925/about" STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>Aquifer Protection Areas</SPAN></SPAN></A><SPAN><SPAN>, </SPAN></SPAN><A href="https://deepmaps.ct.gov/datasets/CTDEEP::deep-property-3/about" STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>Connecticut DEEP property</SPAN></SPAN></A><SPAN><SPAN>, </SPAN></SPAN><A href="https://deepmaps.ct.gov/maps/26da452f8ccd45319f3bd7b2e5e1b448/about" STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>Connecticut Fisheries Management Areas Set</SPAN></SPAN></A><SPAN><SPAN>, and </SPAN></SPAN><A href="https://deepmaps.ct.gov/maps/c627bb8c304042459bdb957d53808cc1/about" STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>Connecticut Surface Water Quality (class AA)</SPAN></SPAN></A><SPAN><SPAN>.</SPAN></SPAN></P><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>Intended uses:</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> Partners interested in purchasing land or changing the land protection status may use this COA. This map identifies areas of overlap of multiple SGCN and key habitats and protecting these areas would provide benefits to multiple species. This map does not indicate lands that are available for purchase, zoning, or land cost. This map may also be used to support grant applications or review of properties for potential development. Partners interested in protecting specific habitats or identifying the location of key habitats can refer to the key habitat maps.</SPAN></SPAN></P><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>Recommended actions (example actions):</SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Stewarding wild individuals</SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Use exclusion devices to protect turtle nests</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Manage roost sites for bat populations affected by disease</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Maintain instream habitat features for cold-water fish</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Detection and intervention</SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Enforce existing restrictions where unauthorized activity is negatively affecting invertebrate habitat</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Prosecution and conviction </SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Direct enforcement plays an essential role for species subject to illegal harvest or disturbance, such as rare turtles, migratory birds, or state-listed plants on protected lands</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Other legal actions </SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Prioritize enforcement of existing regulations, such as those governing off-leash dogs, state building lighting design, and protecting shorebird areas.</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Design and plan conservation </SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Identify key habitats and movement corridors</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Integrate SGCN needs into broader land-use and watershed plans</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Strengthen coordination across agencies and partners</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Conserve specific land or seascapes </SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Secure vernal pool complexes, riparian corridors, and early successional shrublands that support the wood turtle, Jefferson salamander, and eastern towhee</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Protect small, high-quality habitats, such as trap rock ridges, sand plains, and seeps, that support regionally rare moths, bees, and aquatic insects</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Complementary or alternative conservation measures</SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Implement riparian buffer maintenance or flow protections via conservation agreements</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Bog turtle habitat on private farmland may be best maintained through informal agreements and technical assistance, rather than acquisition</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Conserve via zoning or informal designations</SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Conduct municipal conservation overlays, open space designations, and town-level natural resource inventories</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Establish town-scale stream protection ordinances for conserving cold-water habitats</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>For birds like the chimney swift or eastern meadowlark, create local planning frameworks that support early successional habitat management or preserving large contiguous grasslands </SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Conservation planning</SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Create updated and spatially explicit conservation plans for diadromous fish, vernal pool-dependent amphibians, and freshwater mussels</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Protect resources with site infrastructure </SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Use infrastructure-based site protection, such as fencing, signage, or seasonal closures</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Create, amend, or influence legislation, regulation, or codes </SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Create sufficient stream protection standards, safeguards for invertebrates, and consistent permitting thresholds</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Create or amend policies, guidelines, or best practices</SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Create sufficient stream protection standards, safeguards for invertebrates, and consistent permitting thresholds</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI></UL><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>For questions about the layer, contact Katy Bischoff: kathryn.bischoff@uconn.edu</SPAN></SPAN></P><P /></DIV> |