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Methodology

Map layer sources and methods

For each metric in the Greenprint, we list detailed information on how we calculated the data and link to the source of the data.

Overview

Conservation Easements

Data source: Florida Conservation Lands (FLMA)

Metrics based on this source
  • Protected easement acres: The Florida Conservations Lands layer has a data-encoded ID system. Conservation easement lands are calculated by summing acres where the field “MATYPE” ends with ‘CE’.

Incorporated Area Boundaries

Data source: US Census Tiger Lines 2022

Metrics based on this source
  • City names: List of names from the U.S. Census Incorporated Areas layer as of 2022, to align with the latest American Community Survey 5-year average statistics (2018-2022) available during 2024.

2022 Population Density

Data source: US Census American Community Survey 2018-2022

Metrics based on this source
  • Total population 2022: We use Census Block Groups from the the U.S. Census 2018-2022 American Community survey, referencing the total population of each Block Group. Then we use an area-weighted calculation to estimate the population with the area of interest. We remove Census Blocks with zero population but otherwise assume the population is evenly distributed across the Block Group.
  • Low and moderate-income count: Number of households below 80% of the Florida statewide median income based on American Community Survey 2018-2022, using an area-weighted estimate based on Census Block Group data, with no-population blocks removed.
  • Race/Ethnicity: American Indian and Alaska Native count: We use Census Block Groups from the the U.S. Census 2018-2022 American Community survey, referencing the Native American/American Indian (not Hispanic/Latino) population of each Block Group. Then we use an area-weighted calculation to estimate the population with the area of interest. We remove Census Blocks with zero population but otherwise assume the population is evenly distributed across the Block Group.
  • Race/Ethnicity: Asian count: We use Census Block Groups from the the U.S. Census 2018-2022 American Community survey, referencing the Asian (not Hispanic/Latino) population of each Block Group. Then we use an area-weighted calculation to estimate the population with the area of interest. We remove Census Blocks with zero population but otherwise assume the population is evenly distributed across the Block Group.
  • Race/Ethnicity: Black count: We use Census Block Groups from the the U.S. Census 2018-2022 American Community survey, referencing the Black (not Hispanic/Latino) population of each Block Group. Then we use an area-weighted calculation to estimate the population with the area of interest. We remove Census Blocks with zero population but otherwise assume the population is evenly distributed across the Block Group.
  • Race/Ethnicity: Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander count: We use Census Block Groups from the the U.S. Census 2018-2022 American Community survey, referencing the Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (not Hispanic/Latino) population of each Block Group. Then we use an area-weighted calculation to estimate the population with the area of interest. We remove Census Blocks with zero population but otherwise assume the population is evenly distributed across the Block Group.
  • Race/Ethnicity: Hispanic/Latino count: We use Census Block Groups from the the U.S. Census 2018-2022 American Community survey, referencing the Hispanic/Latino population of each Block Group. Then we use an area-weighted calculation to estimate the population with the area of interest. We remove Census Blocks with zero population but otherwise assume the population is evenly distributed across the Block Group.
  • Race/Ethnicity: Two Or More Races count: We use Census Block Groups from the the U.S. Census 2018-2022 American Community survey, referencing the mixed race (not Hispanic/Latino) population of each Block Group. Then we use an area-weighted calculation to estimate the population with the area of interest. We remove Census Blocks with zero population but otherwise assume the population is evenly distributed across the Block Group.
  • Race/Ethnicity: Some Other Race count: We use Census Block Groups from the the U.S. Census 2018-2022 American Community survey, referencing the other race (not Hispanic/Latino) population of each Block Group. Then we use an area-weighted calculation to estimate the population with the area of interest. We remove Census Blocks with zero population but otherwise assume the population is evenly distributed across the Block Group.
  • Race/Ethnicity: White count: We use Census Block Groups from the the U.S. Census 2018-2022 American Community survey, referencing the white (not Hispanic/Latino) population of each Block Group. Then we use an area-weighted calculation to estimate the population with the area of interest. We remove Census Blocks with zero population but otherwise assume the population is evenly distributed across the Block Group.

2013 Population Density

Data source: US Census American Community Survey 2009-2013

Metrics based on this source
  • Total population 2013: Total population from the American Community Survey 5-year average 2009-2013, using an area-weighted estimate based on Census Block Group data, with no-population blocks removed.

Areas of Low and Moderate Income

Data source: US Census American Community Survey 2018-2022

Metrics based on this source
  • Low and moderate-income count: Number of households below 80% of the Florida statewide median income based on American Community Survey 2018-2022, using an area-weighted estimate based on Census Block Group data, with no-population blocks removed.

Watershed (HUC10) Boundaries

Data source: USGS National Hydrography Dataset Best Resolution (NHD) – Florida (published 20240116) FileGDB

Metrics based on this source
  • Watershed names: List the distinct names of all polygons from HUC 10 watershed in Osceola County.

Lakes and Wetlands

Data source: Florida Cooperative Land Cover, Version 3.7

Metrics based on this source
  • Acres of lakes and wetlands: Sum acres where “category” is “Lakes and Ponds” from Florida Cooperative Land Cover Map (CLC) v3.7.

Built Environment

Construction Permit Locations

Data source: Osceola County GIS New Construction P Permits

Metrics based on this source
  • Count permits issued: Using data from the Osceola County GIS department, list all building permits filed for the selected area of interest since January 1, 2019. Data updated monthly.

Planned Development

Data source: Osceola County GIS Future Land Use

Metrics based on this source
  • Planned future land use, acres: For planned development areas as noted by the County, sum acres lands are not considered ‘CONSERVATION’, ‘NATURAL RESOURCE UTILITY’, or ‘RURAL/AGRICULTURAL’.

Areas Identified in Site Development Plan since 2019

Data source: Osceola County GIS Site Development Plans

Metrics based on this source
  • Site development plan acres: Sum of acres in Site Development Plans filed since January 1, 2019, as noted by the County. Data updated monthly.
  • Areas identified for development, comparison to other area: A raw number of acres can be difficult to visualization, so this metric compares the area of Site Development Plans (since January 1, 2019) in the area of interest to various landmarks in Osceola County, from Lake Tohopekaliga (22,700 acres) to the Kissimmee Historic district (70 acres).

Impervious Surfaces

Data source: National Landcover Database

Metrics based on this source
  • Acres 50-79% Impervious: Drawing on the National Landcover Database’s impervious surface layer, these are acres where pixels are between 50 and 79.
  • Acres 80-100% impervious: Drawing on the National Landcover Database’s impervious surface layer, these are acres where pixels greater than or equal to 80.
  • Acres 1-19% Impervious: Drawing on the National Landcover Database’s impervious surface layer, these are acres where pixels are between 1 and 19
  • Acres 20-49% Impervious: Drawing on the National Landcover Database’s impervious surface layer, these are acres where pixels are pixels between 20 and 49

Annual Average Daily Traffic by Road Segment

Data source: Florida DOT Average Annual Daily Traffic

Metrics based on this source
  • AADT by road segment: Drawing on data from the Florida Department of Transportation, we filter road segments to the area of interest, then order by Average Annual Daily Trips and take top three. The source data has only road IDs, so we added road names using data from the MAJRDS_JUL24 file available on the FGDL Current Data Catalog.

Wildlife Corridor

Conservation Lands by Agency Type

Data source: Florida Conservation Lands (FLMA)

Metrics based on this source
  • Acres protected: Sum of all acres listed in the Florida Conservation Lands (FLMA) layer produced by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory.
  • Acres protected federal: The Florida Conservations Lands layer has a data-encoded ID system. Federal conservation lands are calculated by summing acres where the field “MATYPE” starts with ‘F’.
  • Acres protected state: The Florida Conservations Lands layer has a data-encoded ID system. State conservation lands are calculated by summing acres where the field “MATYPE” starts with ‘S’.
  • Acres protected local: The Florida Conservations Lands layer has a data-encoded ID system. Local conservation lands are calculated by summing acres where the field “MATYPE” starts with ‘L’
  • Acres protected private: The Florida Conservations Lands layer has a data-encoded ID system. Private conservation lands are calculated by summing acres where the field “MATYPE” starts with ‘P’.

Florida Wildlife Corridor (FLWC)

Data source: Composite of Florida Wildlife Corridor and FLMA

Metrics based on this source
  • Acres in Wildlife Corridor: Sum of acres within the Wildlife Corridor.

Wildlife Corridor at Risk

Data source: Archbold Biological Station

Metrics based on this source
  • Acres at risk of corridor loss: Sum of acres in the Wildlife Corridor Risk Zone, as represented by the layer OsC_par_OA_vacant5_PUDA published by the Archbold Biological Station.

Agricultural Land

Data source: Florida Cooperative Land Cover, Version 3.7

Metrics based on this source
  • Acres cropland out of acres ag/ranchland: Sum acres where “category” is ‘Agriculture’ or ‘Ranching’ and “NAME_SITE” is ‘Field Crops’ or ‘Irrigated Row Crops’ or ‘Row Crops’, from Florida Cooperative Land Cover Map (CLC) v3.7.
  • Acres orchard and groves out of acres ag/ranchland: Sum acres where “category” is ‘Agriculture’ or ‘Ranching’ and “NAME_SITE” is ‘Orchards/Groves’ from Florida Cooperative Land Cover Map (CLC) v3.7.
  • Acres other agriculture out of acres ag/ranchland: Sum acres where “category” IN (‘Agriculture’, ‘Ranching’) and not otherwise flagged in the other similar metrics, all from from Florida Cooperative Land Cover Map (CLC) v3.7.
  • Acres ranching (improved pasture) out of acres ag/ranchland: Sum acres where “category” is ‘Agriculture’ or ‘Ranching’) and “NAME_SITE” is ‘Improved Pasture’ or ‘Unimproved/Woodland Pasture’ from Florida Cooperative Land Cover Map (CLC) v3.7.
  • Acres of ag and ranchland: Sum of acres calculated in existing metrics: farmland_crop_acres, farmland_ranch_acres, farmland_orchard_acres, farmland_tree_acres, farmland_vineyard_acres, farmland_other_acres, which are all based on the Florida Cooperative Land Cover Map (CLC) v3.7.
  • Acres tree plantation out of acres ag/ranchland: Sum acres where “NAME_SITE” is ‘Vineyard and Nurseries’ from Florida Cooperative Land Cover Map (CLC) v3.7.
  • Acres vineyard and nurseries out of acres ag/ranchland: Sum acres where “NAME_SITE” is ‘Tree Nurseries’ from Florida Cooperative Land Cover Map (CLC) v3.7.

Resilient and Connected Network (RCN)

Data source: Resilient Connected Network

Metrics based on this source
  • Unprotected Acres in Resilient and Connected Network: The Nature Conservancy developed the Resilient and Connected Network to model a connected network of resilient sites which maximized site resilience, recognized biodiversity, and connectivity and climate flow. This metric sums the acreage of areas in the network that are not listed as protected in the Florida Conservation Lands (FLMA) layer produced by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory.

Biodiversity and Habitat

Community Species Observations

Data source: GBIF Search

Metrics based on this source
  • Count of species observed: We count distinct values in the “species” column for points in the area of interest. Data downloaded from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), filtered to iNaturalist observations with no more than 200 meters of location uncertainty. Data is refreshed monthly.
  • Five most observed species: We list the top five distinct values in the “species” column based on the count of observations in the area of interest. Data downloaded from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), filtered to iNaturalist observations with no more than 200 meters of location uncertainty. Data is refreshed monthly.

Natural Communities

Data source: Florida Cooperative Land Cover, Version 3.7

Metrics based on this source
  • Acres of natural communities: Land covers from the Florida Cooperative Land Cover Map (CLC) v3.7 were grouped into categories “Natural”, “Natural Wetlands”, or “Lakes and Ponds” and their acres summed.

Natural Communities, Underrepresented

Data source: Florida Natural Areas Underrepresented Natural Communities

Metrics based on this source
  • Acres of underrepresented natural communities: Sum of acres in the Underrepresented Natural Communities layer. The Under-represented Natural Communities layer includes natural communities that are inadequately represented on conservation lands. This dataset was developed as part of the Florida Forever Conservation Needs Assessment. This dataset includes natural communities that are inadequately represented on conservation lands. A natural community generally is considered under-represented if less than 15% of the original extent of that community in Florida is currently found on existing conservation lands.

Freshwater

Water Management District Boundaries

Data source: Water Management District Boundaries

Metrics based on this source
  • South Florida WMD acres: Acres in the boundary of the South Florida Water Management District
  • St Johns River WMD acres: Acres in the boundary of the Saint James River Water Management District.

Rivers and Streams

Data source: Florida Department of Environmental Protection Florida National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) – Flowlines (24k)

Metrics based on this source
  • Miles of rivers and streams: Sum of the length in miles of rivers as streams as represented by the Florida National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) – Flowlines (24k). Specifically, FCODE 46003 (stream/river intermittent) and 46006 (stream/river perennial).
  • Comparison of river miles to these distances: A raw number of miles can be difficult to visualization, so this metric compares the miles of river in the area of interest to various well known distances, such as the height of Osceola County or the length of the Kissimmee River.

Resilience

100-Year Floodplain

Data source: USA Flood Hazard Areas

Metrics based on this source
  • Acres in 100 year flood plain: Acres in the 100 year flood plain. Specifically, acres where “ZONE_SUBTY” like ‘1 Percent%’.
  • Acres in 100 year floodplain and low- and moderate-income Census Block Groups: Acres in the 100 year flood plain. Specifically, acres where “ZONE_SUBTY” like ‘1 Percent%’, that are also within Census Block Groups where the proportion of low- and moderate-income households is above the median for all Block Groups in Osceola County.

500-Year Floodplain

Data source: USA Flood Hazard Areas

Metrics based on this source
  • Acres in 500 year flood plain: Acres in the 500 year flood place. Specifically, acres where “ZONE_SUBTY” like ‘0.2 Percent%’.
  • Acres in 500 year floodplain and low- and moderate-income Census Block Groups: Acres in the 500 year flood place. Specifically, acres where “ZONE_SUBTY” like ‘0.2 Percent%’ that are also within Census Block Groups where the proportion of low- and moderate-income households is above the median for all Block Groups in Osceola County.

Urban Heat Islands

Data source: Trust for Public Land Full Range Heat Anomalies 2023

Metrics based on this source
  • Average temperature difference from surrounding area: Using the Trust for Public Lands’ “Full Range Heat Anomalies – USA 2023,” calculate the average of pixels in the area of interest. The pixels represent the degrees Fahrenheit that location deviates from the average temperature of the city in which that pixel is located.
  • Acres of heat islands: As defined by Heat.gov’s Urban Heat Island page, urban heat islands have temperatures 15 to 20 degrees warmer than surrounding areas. This metric sums acres where the Full Range Heat Anomalies data from the Trust for Public Land is greater than 15 degrees.

Urban Tree Planting Priority Area

Data source: Florida Forest Service

Metrics based on this source
  • Acres of tree planting priority: This data estimates priority planting areas by Census Block Group. The metric is an area weighted average of the field PossiblePl.

Wildland-Urban Interface

Data source: USDA 1990-2020 wildland-urban interface of the conterminous United States – geospatial data (4th Edition)

Metrics based on this source
  • Acres in Wildland Urban Interface: Acres within the wildland urban interface (WUI) in 2020. Specifically where “WUIFLAG202” > 0.
  • Acres in Wildland Urban Interface in low- and moderate-income Census Block Groups: Acres within the wildland urban interface (WUI) that are also within Census Block Groups where the proportion of low- and moderate-income households is above the median for all Block Groups in Osceola County.

HUD-designated Opportunity Zones

Data source: HUD Opporutnity Zones

Metrics based on this source
  • Number of HUD Opportunity Zones: Count of the number of HUD Opportunity Zones within the area of interest. Opportunity Zones are defined as Census Tracts or Block Groups that meet certain income thresholds.
  • Number of people in Opportunity Zones: We overlay the HUD Opportunity zone boundaries with Census Block Groups from the the U.S. Census 2018-2022 American Community survey to select only populations within the opportunity zones. Then we use an area-weighted calculation to estimate the population with the area of interest. We remove Census Blocks with zero population but otherwise assume the population is evenly distributed across the Block Group.

Parks and Recreation

Pedestrian Trails

Data source: Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Greenways and Trails System – Existing Trails

Metrics based on this source
  • Miles of pedestrian trails: Linear miles of trail within area of interest based on the Florida Greenways and Trails System Existing Trails layer.

Parks

Data source: PADUS 4.1 and best available data from the cities of Kissimmee and St. Cloud

Metrics based on this source
  • Acres of parks: Sum of area of all park polygons in area of interest. Parks data is a “best available” combination of PADUS 4.0 and improved data from the cities of Kissimmee and St. Cloud.
  • Count of parks: Count of all park polygons in area of interest. Parks data is a “best available” combination of PADUS 4.0 and improved data from the cities of Kissimmee and St. Cloud.
  • Three agencies with most acres: The managing agencies with the largest acreage in all park polygons in area of interest. Parks data is a “best available” combination of PADUS 4.0 and improved data from the cities of Kissimmee and St. Cloud.
  • Biggest three parks name and acres: Three largest park polygons in area of interest. Parks data is a “best available” combination of PADUS 4.0 and improved data from the cities of Kissimmee and St. Cloud.

High and Very High Park Need

Data source: Trust for Public Land ParkServe

Metrics based on this source
  • Acres in high or very high park need: Acres where ParkRank is 1 or 2 (Very High and High) park need based on the ParkServe data form the Trust for Public Land.

Lakes and Ponds

Data source: Florida Cooperative Land Cover, Version 3.7

Metrics based on this source
  • Acres of lakes: Sum acres where “category” is “Lakes and Ponds” from Florida Cooperative Land Cover Map (CLC) v3.7.
  • Count of lakes: count records where “category” is “Lakes and Ponds” from Florida Cooperative Land Cover Map (CLC) v3.7.

Wildlife Management Areas Allowing Hunting

Data source: Florida Conservation Lands (FLMA)

Metrics based on this source
  • Acres of parks that allow hunting: Acres in any polygon labeled as a Wildlife Management Area in the FLMA.

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