Sensitive Habitat Inventory and Mapping (SHIM)

As resource development and human populations increase In British Columbia, pressures for all resources and services have accelerated. Rapid growth has often overwhelmed the ability of local planners to manage land and preserve sensitive habitats. This has resulted in loss or degradation of habitats that once supported fisheries and wildlife. Sensitive ecosystems and critical habitats are becoming increasingly threatened. There is an urgent need to develop better methods to conserve and protect these habitats. The Sensitive Habitat Inventory and Mapping (SHIM) Atlas represents a response to this need. The SHIM Atlas is a land-planning, computer-generated interactive GIS tool that identifies sensitive aquatic and terrestrial habitats. The Atlas is intended to provide community, stewardship groups, individuals, regional districts and municipalities with an effective low cost delivery system for information on these local habitats and associated land uses. The awareness and commitment to local resources is an important process created through cooperation of local communities, First Nations, municipalities, planners, and managers. SHIM mapping and data systems developed to date reflect the use and interests of many of these agencies and community groups. The primary functions of the SHIM Atlas are: * Identify sensitive habitats and resources within local communities * Integrate property boundaries, land parcels, and road networks with locations of sensitive resources to facilitate official community plans and development permit applications; * Work within an interactive Geographical Information System (GIS) to provide useful map products for analysis and effective communication. * Facilitate updating and exchange of information; * Establish partnerships with provincial and municipal governments, stakeholders, and the public to protect and manage fish habitat. By combining resource information from a variety of sources it is hoped that the SHIM Atlas will provide a strong foundation for improving integrated resource management and planning in urban and rural areas.