Updated freshwater assessment GIS package

We repackaged the Arizona freshwater dataset as a set of ArcGIS layer files, allowing you to easily load the entire dataset at once. Additionally, we have added additional streams, updated the flow status layer, and added a new Wild and Scenic river designation layer.

The freshwater assessment contains four primary datasets:

1. Habitat for 33 native fish species
2. Former and current perennial surface flow for Arizona’s rivers
3. The distribution of threatened and endangered species (ESA) that require aquatic or riparian habitat
4. Wild and Scenic River designations

If you do not have ArcGIS software, we have also provided a Google Earth KML file, which can be viewed using the free Google Earth software.

Download our freshwater assessment GIS dataset.

Introducing our Center for Science and Public Policy website

We've redesigned our website to make it easier for you to use and to better accommodate the expanded content associated with our new Center for Science and Public Policy.

Since 2004, our website has hosted data and studies generated by Conservancy science staff and collaborators. Our new site will continue to host the results of our work. The site's redesign was prompted by a desire to better reflect the scope of our work and challenges we are working to address. Over the next year, we will be expanding our content to take a closer look at issues such as growth and infrastructure, water, and the management of our changing forests, grasslands and deserts. We will highlight initiatives that bring together people, science, policy working to identify new ideas and solutions.

In addition to the visual redesign, we have also added a couple new features to the site that I'm excited about.

Map gallery

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a map must be worth a million. To help better understand the spatial nature of conservation in Arizona, we've created a new map gallery, showcasing map exhibits developed in the course of our work. You can download these maps in several formats, and will also find these maps embedded in content throughout the site.

KML map data

In the past, the spatial datasets on our site have required expensive GIS software and the technical expertise to use them. Now, we've created versions that can be used by anyone who has familiarity with Google's free program, Google Earth. Datasets available in the user-friendly KML format include:

• Grassland Assessment
• Freshwater Assessment
• Biotic Communities of the Southwest

To use the KML version of these datasets, you must first install Google Earth. Then, just click on the KML file, and it will open up within Google Earth!

Staying updated

2010 has been a pretty exciting year for The Nature Conservancy in Arizona, but you might not know it by looking at our old website. To keep you updated on our new science and policy work, new reports and datasets, staff appointments, and more, check out our new updates section.

To be notified when we release new reports, datasets, and maps, sign up for our email list, or subscribe to our RSS feed.