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<br />vegetation, as well as the amount of hard surfaces (such as pavement) present in a <br />particular area and incorporates natural community types recognized by the MN DNR. <br /> <br />This set of information was used to identify opportunities for management and <br />protection of natural areas in the city by private landowners and public officials alike, <br />with cooperation and team work in-mind. The information from this study has the <br />potential to be used by city staff, as well as others to enable proactive natural resource <br />management, including: <br />.:. Identify opportunities to partner with private landowners to foster stewardship of <br />natural areas <br />.:. Provide information for community planning in: <br />o Review of proposed developments <br />o Parks planning <br />o Surface water planning <br />o City code and ordinance creation/revision <br /> <br />Natural areas are an important part of providing identity to the places we live. They <br />contribute to quality of life, and provide a sense of place to each of us. The <br />information gathered in this study will be an important part of wisely understanding <br />. what activities and land uses can support while retaining natural areas that define the <br />character of the landscape that residents value. <br /> <br />Goals and Objectives of the Inventory <br />The Goals and Objectives for this project were to: <br />. Identify and inventory significant natural areas, and gather solid on-the-ground data <br />where access was available. <br />. Use a proven natural community classification and qualitative ranking methodology <br />to evaluate natural communities. <br />. Map land cover of natural and semi-natural areas using the Minnesota Land Cover <br />Classification System (MLCCS) <br />. Identify opportunities for management and protection of significant high quality <br />natural areas and/or concentrations of natural areas/habitats. <br />. Provide information to enable sound planning for the future of the city. <br />. Review City code and identify opportunities to enable further stewardship of natural <br />areas <br /> <br />City of Elk River, MN - Natural Resouce Inventory <br />Bonestroo Natural Resources, September 2004 <br /> <br />2 <br />