Federal Gvt Resources

[fourthgeek]

The USGS Website has pretty detailed mapping information. With a little downloading one can get one's hands on the mapping program they use, DLGV32 Pro, and with a half decent computer you could have an extremely detailed heightmap of any location in the US, including water tables, heightmap, etc etc. Decent quality map files are free, if not a huge pain to string together.

I can also suggest the USDA PLANTS database (compiled mostly by college students). Much of their database includes medicinal/culinary/misc. uses for tree barks, weeds, flowers, types of shrubbery, etc.

[Lex]

Some links would help 

[fourthgeek]

USDA PLANTS Database:

http://plants.usda.gov/

There are many places to download Digital Elevation Models, and many different formats and many different programs. Here's a decent free site:

http://www.atdi-us.com/sdtsdata.htm

Though if you're willing to shell out a very minimal amount of money you can get extremely detailed map data from the USGS or private sites.

You will need to have a DEM program like dlgv32 to view them. There is a free version of this available. Look to the sidebar on the left:
http://mcmcweb.er.usgs.gov/drc/dlgv32pro/