GIS (.lpkx) data layers that inform of areas to construct new rain gardens in Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Data layers can be opened with a GIS program. There is a single .lpkx dataset that contains four layers. The first layer contains 'Wildlife Corridors' which contains information on where to prioritize new green infrastructure based on how well-connected different patches of forested areas are. The second layer, 'Social Inequality', shows where to prioritize new rain gardens based on social inequality criteria. The 'Creeksheds and Future Runoff' contains information on future changes in precipitation runoff based on climate change projections of rainfall. Lastly, 'Runoff/Water Quality' is a layer that includes a priority map regarding where new rain gardens should be developed based on areas that are most at risk of poor water quality and enhanced surface run-off.
The project was completed for Washtenaw County Water Resources as part of a course taught at the University of Michigan, CLIMATE 592. A description of the course is also provided: "Introduction to individual and team research on real-world problems in the area of applied climate. On a research project started in CLIMATE 591 and guided by a mentor from a commercial or government laboratory, students will apply the principles of risk analysis and objective assessment of adaptive strategies".
Dacic, N., Lojko, A., Zhang, Y., Yang, E., Whitcomb, M., Bassis, J., and Rood., R.B., 2023 'Modernizing the Climate Science Curriculum: Engaging in Local Government Collaboration Projects', In Preperation for the Bulletin of American Meteorological Society