This tool provides user-friendly access to national and state land cover and land cover change information. For most states, the site shows statistics such as percent of area forested and developed and how those values changed between the three collection times.

The tool and data were developed from satellite imagery through the Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics (MRLC) Consortium. The NLCD EVA tool eliminates the need for desktop geographic information system software, or advanced technical expertise, by providing easy access to processed information. NLCD provides spatial reference and descriptive data for characteristics of the land surface such as thematic class (for example, urban, agriculture, and forest), percent impervious surface, and percent tree canopy cover.

The tool helps users of all abilities to visually analyze and explore NLCD land cover data. The tool gives users the ability to query specific types of land cover changes between 2001, 2006, and 2011, and to generate national and state summary reports and data tables of land cover changes to enhance communication and advance understanding of land cover changes and trends.