New map depicts state’s land cover

A new map showing Wisconsin’s land cover in extraordinary detail is available from the State Cartographer’s Office at UW–Madison.

Such a detailed map will be useful to travelers, hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts, teachers, and anyone else with an interest or concern about Wisconsin’s landscape, says Assistant State Cartographer Bob Gurda.

Produced by a 25-member consortium called WISCLAND, the 42-inch by 50-inch map depicts the state according to 13 types of land cover, from open water and wetland to deciduous forest and farm fields.

The map was derived from a comprehensive database created by computerized interpretation of satellite images. To ensure a high level of accuracy, 30,000 ground observations were made to compare satellite data with what actually exists on the ground.

The map is being sold flat for a cost of $10 plus tax, shipping and handling. For more information contact Gurda at (608) 262-6850.