Protecting
New Jersey's Land and Legacy.
In New Jersey, the most densely populated state in the U.S., it is critically important to protect our healthy soils for growing food and the natural lands that safeguard our drinking water, clean our air, sustain wildlife and provide places for people to enjoy the outdoors.
The Conservation Blueprint team is excited to launch Blueprint+ (Plus), a new addition to the Conservation Blueprint suite. Using existing Blueprint priority models, Plus offers advanced planning, reporting, and filtering tools.
Plus Overview 
?Using the same priority models as Blueprint, Plus offers a new way of visualizing the Eco, Ag and Water models by displaying priority rankings on a parcel-by-parcel basis. Users can easily view, identify and compare conservation values across multiple parcels. In addition, we’ve made it easier to view parcel details, including data about the natural features on a parcel that contribute to priority rankings. A new reporting tool allows for single or multiple parcel reporting for sharing with others. And advanced filtering tools allow you to change the weight of model inputs based on your own priorities or easily identify parcels with a particular set of features, e.g. show me parcels greater than 50 acres that rank 5 and above in the Eco model.
What are the similarities and differences between Blueprint and Blueprint?
- The same priorities
Blueprint and Blueprint+ use the exact same models, methodologies and input datasets. Key differences are that in Plus, priorities are displayed parcel-by-parcel, and the Community Greenspace model is not yet available since we are in the process of updating the model.
- The same devices
Like Blueprint, Plus is designed to work on multiple devices from desktops to cell phones. Use Plus in-office for planning and out in the field to navigate and explore natural features.
- A new way to visualize priorities
The most significant difference between Blueprint and Plus is in the way priorities are displayed. On Plus, priorities are visualized on a parcel-by-parcel basis. On Blueprint, priorities are displayed based on the approximate mapped location of natural features on the ground and without reference to parcel boundaries.
- A new way to explore which natural features contribute to a priority ranking
- Create customized reports, including multiple parcel reports
You can create single parcel or multiple parcel reports with or without a map and with or without details about the natural features that contribute to a priority ranking. You can also save the data as a csv file.
- Filter priorities and customize models
Use advanced filtering to identify parcels based on your own needs and natural resource preferences. For example:
Farmland Preservation
Preserving existing farmland and our farmland soils will help us secure the future of New Jersey’s agricultural economy and heritage.
The Conservation Blueprint identifies the most critical agricultural features to help focus preservation in the places of highest need to slow the rate of farms lost to development.
We provide quick, easy access to the most up to date data for soils, agriculturally-active lands, and preserved farmland, as well as parcel data to help with farmland preservation planning and individual projects.
Since 1985, we’ve seen an increase of 350,000 acres of urban land (that’s 27 football fields per day or 30 Central Parks per month!). Each acre of new development results in the loss of an acre of farmland, forest or wetlands.
What will New Jersey look like in 2050? The choices we make today shape the communities we live in tomorrow. The Conservation Blueprint is an interactive mapping tool that empowers users to identify land best suited for conservation. These areas are crucial within New Jersey’s landscape to ensure clean drinking water, a sustainable agricultural industry, and a healthy, vibrant place for us all to live, work and play.
You found a place to call home. Let’s protect it! Help New Jersey be a model for the rest of the country.
A balance of protected lands and intelligent growth that benefits all New Jerseyans for generations is the legacy that can inspire action. Knowing that you played a part in setting this in motion, that you became part of something bigger than yourself, will pay dividends in fulfillment.
When you’re out camping, hiking, or simply appreciating backyard nature–take a moment to hashtag a social media photo with #njblueprint #njlandlegacy. Dr. Seuss put it best in The Lorax: “Who speaks for the trees?” Use the power of social media to use your voice. And maybe even change how New Jersey is perceived across the country, one hashtagged image at a time.
- Video Search Disclaimer
The Conservation Blueprint utilizes best available data from a variety of sources. These sources can be made available so users may assess the integrity and objectivity of the data. While attention is given to present the most up-to-date information, The Conservation Blueprint Project Team, and its funders, assume no responsibility for the spatial accuracy, completeness or timeliness of data used, and expressly disclaim any and all responsibility for errors, misinterpretations, omissions or other inconsistencies depicted arising from or otherwise related to the maps maintained within this site.
Maps and data sets found on this site are for planning activities only and cannot and should not be used for any regulatory purposes - this applies to both the parcel and state-wide levels. The information on this website should be used only as a guide; an on-site investigation is the only true way to know which features exist on the ground.
Priority Land rankings for each theme were determined by The Conservation Blueprint Project Team in conjunction with the Conservation Blueprint Steering Committee and corresponding Advisory Committees. Priority Lands and Rankings reflect the collaborative input, deliberation and agreed upon determinations of the aforementioned groups. Users acknowledge that Blueprint rankings are not linked to any other state ranking system, and are not directly linked to any funding sources. Blueprint rankings do not replace a municipality or county’s own prioritization.
Full methodology reports will be available on the Conservation Blueprint website. Revisions to methodology will occur periodically based upon the inclusion of updated or new data sets, as well as feedback from the Conservation Blueprint Steering and Advisory Committees.
The Conservation Blueprint Project Team would appreciate feedback on any errors that are discovered when using this site by contacting us at conservationblueprint@gmail.com.
The Conservation Blueprint would not be possible without the creative, innovative thinking from our dedicated steering committee and advisory committees. Made up of federal, state and non-profit organizations, New Jersey’s natural, agricultural and cultural resources are improved daily by these results-focused organizations.
Steering Committee
- Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC)
- D&R Greenway Land Trust
- Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
- Ducks Unlimited
- Highlands Council
- Isles
- Land Trust Alliance
- Monmouth Conservation Foundation
- Natural Lands
- New Jersey Conservation Foundation
- NJ Audubon
- NJDEP Green Acres Program
- NJDEP State Historic Preservation Office
- Rowan University
- Rutgers University
- State Agricultural Development Committee
- The Land Conservancy of NJ
- The Nature Conservancy
- The Watershed Institute
- Trust for Public Land
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service
Agricultural Advisory Committee
- New Jersey Conservation Foundation
- Rowan University
- State Agricultural Development Committee
- USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service
Community Greenspace Advisory Committee
- Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC)
- D&R Greenway Land Trust
- Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
- Isles
- New Jersey Conservation Foundation
- NJ DEP Environmental Health Division
- NJ DEP Green Acres Program
- NJDEP State Historic Preservation Office
- Rowan University
- The Nature Conservancy
- Trust for Public Land
Science Advisory Committee
- New Jersey Conservation Foundation
- NJ Audubon
- NJDEP Division of Fish&Wildlife, Bureau of Land Management
- NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP)
- NJDEP Division of Science, Research and Environmental Health
- NJDEP Green Acres Program
- NJDEP Office of Environmental Review
- NJDEP Office of Natural Lands Management
- Raritan Headwaters
- Rowan University
- Stony Brook Millstone Watershed Association
- The Nature Conservancy
Sharing
encouraged.
If you are passionate about conservation and connecting people with nature, please use the social media links below to join our growing community.