GIS will be used to locate areas in Fairfax County where geese are most likely to build nests. This will be accomplished by finding the intersection of the lakes and streams layers with layers identifying other important environmental layers factors such as ground cover type.

Identify Properties/Home Owners Associations where goose nests are likely

Areas within a 300 foot buffer of the ideal nesting layer areas will be identified using GIS. These areas will be intersected with the geographic layer for Home Owners Associations.  Each association will be given a map identifying those properties in their association most likely to have a goose nest(s).

The Home Owners Associations and private residential property owners participating in the project will be sent a map of their property. This map will be used by them to mark nest locations. The map will be returned to GeesePeace in Fairfax County.

Public Bodies, Commercial and Industrial groups: Park Authorities, Public Works and Environmental Services, Schools (public and private), Watershed Improvement Districts, commercial and industrial property owners will be sent maps of their areas of jurisdiction which show goose nest potential areas. They will use the maps to mark goose nest locations and return them to GeesePeace in Fairfax County.

Nest locations will be geo-coded by digitizing the nest locations based on the map hardcopy information provided by Home Owners associations, individual home owners, Park Authority staff, Public Works and Environmental Services Staff, Schools, commercial sites and industrial sites. The geo-coded information will be used to automate the addling permit reporting.

Based on the information provided, teams of trained volunteers and wildlife professionals will visit the identified nests and addle the eggs (coat with vegetable or mineral oil). The addling will be carried out adhering strictly to the guidelines established by the Humane Society of the United States. The actual location of the nests will established using hand held GPSS units or marked on orthophotography maps. Information will also be collected on nest size, number of eggs and other important environmental factors.