Vermont Agency of Natural Resources: GIS – Montpelier, VT

Vermont ANR GIS: Mapping the Future of Conservation

The GIS Division of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) is the geospatial heart of environmental management in Vermont. Located within the National Life Drive complex in Montpelier, this specialized unit is responsible for the development, maintenance, and dissemination of geographic information system (GIS) data that underpins the state’s environmental policy, regulatory frameworks, and conservation efforts. By integrating advanced mapping technologies with ecological science, the ANR GIS team provides critical tools for decision-makers, researchers, and the general public.

Core Functions and Data Services

The GIS division manages a vast repository of spatial data layers that describe Vermont’s physical and biological landscape. Their work is essential for the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation.

• Natural Resources Atlas: The division maintains the Vermont Natural Resources Atlas, a powerful online mapping tool that allows users to view over 150 map layers. These layers include data on wetlands, river corridors, hazardous waste sites, underground storage tanks, and conserved lands. It is a primary resource for real estate agents, developers, and engineers conducting due diligence.
• BioFinder and Vermont Conservation Design: A flagship project of the GIS team is BioFinder, which maps the state’s most ecologically significant lands and waters. This tool identifies habitat blocks, connectivity corridors, and physical landscapes vital for adapting to climate change, helping land trusts and planners prioritize conservation efforts.
• Regulatory Support (Act 250): The GIS data provided by this office is integral to the Act 250 land use review process. Maps generated here determine jurisdiction for development projects, identify prime agricultural soils, and flag potential environmental impacts that developers must mitigate.
• Flood Ready Atlas: In response to Vermont’s vulnerability to flooding, the GIS team supports the Flood Ready Vermont initiative, providing detailed flood hazard maps, river corridor delineations, and data to help communities plan for resilience.
• Lidar and Remote Sensing: The unit utilizes high-resolution Lidar data to create detailed topographic models, which are used for forestry planning, watershed analysis, and infrastructure development.

Open Data and Accessibility

Commitment to transparency is a hallmark of the ANR GIS division. They actively contribute to the Vermont Open Geodata Portal, making their datasets freely available for download in various formats (Shapefile, GeoJSON, KML). This open-access policy empowers municipal planners, academic researchers, and non-profits to perform their own analyses without the barrier of costly data acquisition.

Location and Visiting

The GIS offices are co-located with the main Agency of Natural Resources administration in the National Life Building (Davis Building). As a government facility, it operates with specific security protocols:

• Access Control: Visitors must report to the security desk at the main lobby. A valid government-issued ID is required for entry.
• Appointments: The GIS staff primarily work on technical backend systems and data analysis. While they serve the public, in-person visits are generally by appointment only to ensure the appropriate technical staff is available to assist with specific mapping queries.
• Digital First: Most services, including map generation and data requests, are most efficiently handled through their online portals or via email, reducing the need for physical visits.

Facilities and Transit

The National Life campus is fully accessible, offering:

• Parking: Large parking lots with designated spaces for visitors and persons with disabilities.
• Public Transport: The location is well-served by Green Mountain Transit, connecting the complex to downtown Montpelier and the Barre-Montpelier Road commercial corridor.
• Accessibility: The building features elevators, automatic doors, and ADA-compliant amenities.