Because submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) is an indicator of the overall health of aquatic ecosystems and water quality in general, there is a growing interest in characterizing the current status of SAV in Delaware. In an effort to create tools and content that will meet the growing needs and interests of a wide audience, staff at DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship has been developing surveys and applications to capture as much information as possible. Through collaborative efforts, we have worked to compile historical records, develop survey tools to document presence (or absence) and species composition, create web applications to document restoration efforts, and visualize all of this information in meaningful ways. When collaborating with diverse stakeholder groups, it is important to have plans, goals, and an understanding of what it takes to create a usable product. By building on ArcGIS Online’s ready-to-use products, we have customized tools for existing stakeholders.
