VESTRA and SFS mapped vegetation over the 1,500,000 acre Herger-Feinstein Quincy Library Group (HFQLG) Administrative Study area. This mapping was accomplished via aerial photograph interpretation; polygons were delineated and attributed regarding vegetation class, vegetation type, the three dominant tree and shrub species types, tree crown size class, tree or shrub canopy cover, landuse and wetland status. Minimum polygon size was generally 5 acres, although polygons could be as small as 1 acre for wetland areas. Polygon boundary lines were matched to a digital orthophoto and digitized into a GIS coverage. Photointerpreters traveled to the field to review and validate photo calls. A quality control plan was implemented that included a consistency check of some 1,500 polygon calls and ground survey of 300 vegetation polygons. Documentation was prepared listing the database dictionary and describing photoclassification procedures and guidelines.

Subsequent to the original vegetation mapping, the contract was extended to review all appropriate aerial photos and add attributes describing large tree crown cover and large tree distribution.