Description:
This 10-day course is designed for educators and others interested in exploring natural and societal resources using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. The course combines learning about natural resource management and community planning with developing skills in ArcGIS 9 GIS software. Participants map natural resources and community assets while exploring protection strategies for their communities. Activities will involve informational lectures on course topics by experts in each field from local, state and federal entities, immediately followed by hands-on related GIS exercises.

Course content is appropriate for all people interested in using GIS to map community resources, including high school or middle school educators, town employees, conservation commissions and planning board representatives. Participating schools can receive free licenses of ArcGIS 9.2 software (sorry, schools only!). Familiarity with Windows is recommended, but no previous experience in GIS or Global Positioning Systems (GPS) is needed.

General topics:
* GIS concepts * GPS concepts * GIS mapping and analysis * GPS data collection * ArcGIS 9.2 * Using GPS in GIS * Hyperlinking images in GIS

Participants will learn to:
* symbolize GIS data; add labels and annotation * query data * use geoprocessing tools: merge, buffer, dissolve; * manipulate attribute tables: add fields, calculate values, and joining * import data into ArcGIS 9.2 * design maps using layouts * collect mapping quality GPS data * import GPS data into GIS * hyperlink images to GPS points * work with a wide variety of GIS data layers including: surface water, groundwater, soils, wetlands, community infrastructure, conservation lands, Wildlife Action Plan * develop natural resource inventories

Software used:
* ArcGIS 9.2 * DNR Garmin * Google Earth * Google SketchUp * Photo2GPS

Each student will be provided with GIS data for their area of interest and will develop a community mapping project throughout the course. Students taking the course for credit must submit a project by July 31.

Workshop Registration

UNHCE Geospatial Technologies Training Center