Crucial Habitat Assessment Tool
Background

In 2008, the Western Governors' Association (WGA) created the Wildlife Council (WGWC) to address habitat conservation in the western states with respect to continued development of transportation and energy infrastructure. The concept was borne to address the concerns regarding habitat loss and fragmentation in addition to providing recommendations for resolving potential conflicts through an online mapping tool now called CHAT. The goal is to identify intersections of crucial habitat and potential development projects in an effort to seek common ground for economic opportunity and wildlife conservation.

Alaska faces these same potential development impacts to wildlife that challenge other states, although the scale of impact is dramatically different due to the expanse of this northern landscape. ADF&G biologists and GIS analysts are working together to develop map products that display key wildlife corridors and crucial wildlife habitats. Making this information openly available provides for informed development.