The following 5 examples highlight the need for complete, standardized watercourse mapping that would be universally used by community groups, local and senior governments. Sensitive habitats are frequently lost because they are not mapped, or mapped at too coarse a scale, or the maps are not standardized and used by all stakeholders.

To protect and conserve sensitive habitats, mapping must be accurate and freely available to all stakeholders as soon as it is available. The SHIM Project is actively compiling and delivering this critical information in many communities throughout the lower coast of BC.

1. The pasture shown here was cleared prior to 1986 (See B&W inset below). The narrow streamside vegetation in this area would not have been approved today because local government mapping and more accurate SHIM data (red) clearly indicate encroachment areas (veg. width approx. 12 m).

2. Note field crews save time by collecting a few reference points on features that are clearly visible on an orthophoto, such as this pond, while collecting many accurate points for features obscured by tree canopy.