UNH Cooperative Extension | Workshop: GIS for Community Decision Makers

Intensive - GIS, GPS & Google Mapping

GIS for Community Decision Makers

Summary:

This 12-night course is designed for planners 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 9.3.1 GIS software. Participants map natural resources and community assets while exploring protection strategies for their communities. Activities will involve informational lectures on course topics, immediately followed by hands-on related GIS exercises.

Course content is appropriate for all people interested in using GIS to map community resources, including educators, town employees, conservation commissions, state agency employees and planning board representatives. Familiarity with Windows is recommended, but no previous experience in GIS or Global Positioning Systems (GPS) is needed.

General topics:
GIS & GPS concepts
GIS mapping and analysis
GPS data collection
ArcGIS 9.3.1
Using GPS in GIS
Hyperlinking images in GIS
Displaying data in Google Earth

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 join tables
import data into ArcGIS
design maps using layouts
collect mapping quality GPS data
import GPS data into GIS
hyperlink images to GPS points
develop co-occurrence maps

work with a wide variety of GIS data layers including: surface water, wetlands, community infrastructure, conservation lands, NH Wildlife Action Plan

Software used:
ArcGIS 9.3.1
DNR Garmin
Google Earth
Photo2GPS

LENGTH:	12 evenings over 13 weeks
COST:	$625 tuition + $50 lab fee = $675 total cost
CEU's:	Please see our CEU page
SCHEDULE: (2012)	This course will not be held in 2012. The next offering of this course may be in 2013.
FORMAT:	presentations intermixed with hands-on GPS data collection GIS exercises and project work
NOTES:	Students will each have their own desktop computers to use during class. Students will be provided with data and support if they choose to work on community projects. A laptop is provided for each participant.