The SAIN strategic plan identified several focus area priorities for identifying biological information of the region for assisting and collaborating with researchers, educators, decision-makers, and the general public. These cross-cutting priorities are:

	Best Sustainability Practices - A searchable database of examples of best practices in growth management, sustainable development, and environmental conservation in the Southern Appalachian Highlands.
	Fire - Information on fire, an ecological factor that affects not only ecosystems, but human lives and property as well. See the Southern Fire Portal for data, documents, tools, and other information resources.
	Invasive Species - Informing and enabling prediction, early detection, and rapid response. Download regional invasive species data, view interactive maps, and search the SAIN invasive species database for more information.
	Rare Species and Ecological Communities - Information and data on regional species of concern and their associated ecological communities.
	Regional Ecosystems - Information on major ecosystem types in the region: mountainous ecosystems, forest ecosystems, urban/wildland ecosystems, freshwater ecosystems, and agricultural ecosystems.