Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Conservation and Environmental Tool

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (Commission) worked with NatureServe to develop an online, interactive tool for conduct of conservation planning and environmental reviews of proposed projects in Nebraska. The Conservation and Environmental Review Tool (CERT) uses an intuitive interactive mapping application for access to a variety of natural resource map layers that provide conservation information on threatened and endangered species, migratory birds, protected lands, and other natural resources for environmental planning purposes. The CERT automates the environmental review process by allowing project proponents to upload or draw their project boundary, indicate the types of activities proposed, and then submit it for review by both the Commission and the Service. The tool then analyzes the project location and activities against the distribution of threatened and endangered species and other data layers and determines potential impacts of the project. Primary users of the CERT include those working in conservation as well as developers and consultants who need to conduct environmental reviews of proposed projects. The public is also able to use the tool to learn more about natural resources in areas of interest to them throughout the state of Nebraska.