ECP Training Grants News: The ESRI Conservation Program provides grants to ESRI training on a space-available basis. We have just added a 50% off program whereby a limited number students for whom space-available isn't a useful option can take courses on a standard basis for half off. Please send a blank email to ecpgrant@esri.com for more information.

The CyberInstitute Short-Course on Geographic Information Systems (by David Hastings, World Data Center-A, NOAA National Geophysical Data Center 303-497-6729 or dhastings@ngdc.noaa.gov ) "Where to get a boiled-down, top-to-bottom, study-at-my-own-pace short course in GIS? Try this for starters! " Consists of a lot of links to other GIS tutorials and free online training resources .

GIS Primer: An introduction to Geographic Information Systems ( by David Buckley, Innovative GIS Solutions ) "The GIS Primer provides an overview of issues and requirements for implementing and applying geographic information systems technology. This primer focuses on practical issues concerned with the responsible implementation and application of GIS technology. The primer is directed for those with limited exposure to GIS. It is intended purely as in introductory text with an emphasis on identifying and clearly illustrating fundamental concepts in GIS applications." sections: The Nature of Geographic Information, Fundamental GIS Concepts, Data Sources and Data Input Techniques, Data Organization and Storage, Data Manipulation and Analysis, Sample Applications and Examples, Implementation Strategies and Issues, Technology Developments and Trends .

The Earthlaw Clinic at the University of Denver College of Law (University of Denver - Forbes House, 1714 Poplar Street, Denver, CO 80220 tel:1-303-871-6996 email: earthlaw@earthlaw.org )

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Cultural Landscapes . (.Harvard University Institute for Cultural Landscape Studies: The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, 125 Arborway, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130-3500 tel:617-524-1718 ext.175 (please leave a message) FAX 617-524-1418 mailto:icls@arnarb.harvard.edu) " an excellent introduction and tutorial on the issues of GIS planning and implementation. Includes many useful and well-written sections such as: -Why GIS? -What is GIS? -What determines whether a GIS project succeeds or fails? -What should nonspecialists bear in mind when helping to plan a GIS, or when using GIS analyses and maps? -What special challenges does the management and interpretation of cultural landscapes pose for GIS? " Don't Miss: Factors for Success with GIS by Susan Bernstein: "In a meeting at the Arnold Arboretum in the summer of 1998, which was organized to discuss the role of GIS in cultural landscape management, one practitioner summed up "the take-home message" as: What is the purpose of an organization's GIS? What functions will a GIS serve, for whom, how do you perform these functions now, and at what cost? The balance and timing of costs and benefits for GIS depend on the answers to these initial questions. As for almost any other information technology, the largest cost for GIS is staff time. As a result, the most rewarding investments are made up front, in careful analysis of needs and resources. ...."

Finding Your Way with Map and Compass . Basic USGS introduction to maps and field navigation

IGC's EcoJustice Networking Project's Training Series for Environmental Justice Activists (Training Contact: Alair MacLean, (415) 561-6100, ext. 127.) Sections/tutorials include:
- The Basics: How to use the Internet to involve people in your organization and campaigns. "The workshop will cover basic e-mail, conferencing, use of autoreply mailers and mailing lists. "
-Research: Using the Internet to research your opposition and your issues. ."You will leave this workshop with the basic materials for a fact-sheet."
-Spreading the word: publishing on the Internet. ."The workshop will cover publishing on conferences, and the basics of web programming You will leave this workshop having created a simple Web page. "
-Advanced Research -- Databases. "The workshop will cover the use of government databases as well as the Right-to-Know Computer Network (RTK NET)"

GIS Analysis with ArcInfo by Shane Murnion, Queen's University Belfast

Offered free by Shane Murnion (sdm@sfc.keio.ac.jp) "Here you will find a simple tutorial on using the ArcInfo GIS. You can browse it as lesson or download the files and work through the analysis in ArcInfo yourself"

"The Geographers Craft" (Department of Geography, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712-1098, Phone: (512) 471-5116, FAX: (512) 471-5049. Main Office: Geography Building, GRG 334, Campus Mail Code A3100. Principal Investigator: Dr. Kenneth E. Foote at k.foote@mail.utexas.edu. ) This is "a teaching initiative being pursued in the Department of Geography at The University of Texas at Austin to improve the teaching of geographical techniques at the introductory level. The two-semester course is experimenting with active-learning, problem-solving methods of instruction and hypermedia, Internet-based course materials. The goal is to promote analytical reasoning and critical thinking by having students address research problems with 'appropriate' geographical concepts and techniques, whether drawn from cartography, geographic information systems, remote sensing, spatial statistics, or other information technologies. As possible, all materials for The Geographer's Craft project are being made available on-line through the Internet...You are welcome to use and copy these materials for education, but please credit the source as: The Geographer's Craft, Department of Geography, University of Texas at Austin and cite the individual author of the modules you use."

Map Interpretation: Online Tutorial . (hosted by San Francisco Estuary Institute) "This guide to the interpretation and use of maps is adapted from the Sonoma State University Department of Geography course supplement, Map Interpretation, written by Bryan Baker in 1993. The guide is currently being used in the SSU class, Map, Air Photo, and Satellite Interpretation." Lots of good graphics, Covers numerous topics including -Map Scales, -Measurement Scales, -Accuracy, Precision, and Significant Digits, -Classification, Simplification and Symbolization of Data, -Projections and Survey Systems, -Topographic Map Interpretation .

The Remote Sensing Core Curriculum (RSCC), (University of Maryland Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle Baltimore, MD 21250. General phone: 410.455.1000 General email: help@umbc.edu ) , " A NASA sponsored program chartered to develop and support educational materials for the advancing technologies of remote sensing and the integration with spatial information systems. The program is creating a series of lecture outlines on the topics of remote sensing, accompanied by self-contained laboratory exercises and examples using digital data sets from existing sensor platforms and planned satellite missions. These materials are formatted to facilitate use of these materials and datasets via the Internet and CD-ROM with emphasis on PC and Mac Intosh computing platforms. RSCC design is directed to ensure full access of datasets, operating software, and lecture materials for low-end campus facilities. Lectures are developed in cooperation with international experts and businesses whose experience ensures the most authoritative and substantive curriculum foundation. The lecture series will initially be organized under four volumes: 1. Airphoto / Photogrammetry, 2. Overview of Remote Sensing of the Environment, 3. Introductory Digital Image Processing, 4. Remote Sensing Applications." Don't miss: Satellite Imagery Available Through the Internet .

Smithsonian Institution, Conservation and Research Center, Front Royal , VA c95 . (1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA 22630 GIS Lab tel:540-635-6543 FAX:540-635-6506 Courses: Chris Larson (larsonc@crc.si.edu) ) "The Smithsonian Institution's Conservation and Research Center (CRC) is one of the world's leading centers for conservation research and training. Located on 3,200 acres of forest and meadow in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northern Virginia, CRC serves as the hub for a broad array of regional, national, and international Smithsonian conservation programs....Spatial Analysis Lab: CRC combines spatial analysis techniques with intensive ecological field studies to solve conservation problems. Projects: Casco Bay Estuary Project, Allegheny Mountain Project, Little Mountain Project, Golden-cheeked Warbler Wintering Habitat in Honduras, Migrant bird densities in Belize, Mexican Wintering Habitats of Nearctic migrants, Wood Thrushes at Quantico Marine Base,. Kentucky Warbler Territory Distribution, Intra-tropical Migration, Malaysian Elephant Satellite Tracking Project, Biodiversity of Guyana Honduras, Forest Change Detection, Chatthin Reserve of Burma Mapping Project . Intro to GIS & Remote Sensing in Conservation and Wildlife Management : course for wildlife managers that will provide hands-on experience for the collection of data, GIS analysis of the data, and map making.

US Fish & Wildlife Service National Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown WV e97 . (USFWS, NCTC Route 1, Box 166 Shepherds Grade Road Shepherdstown, WV 25443 Registrar Tel: 304/876-7200 fax:304/876-7202 email; mailto:nctc_registrar@fws.gov) "The USFWS National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) is a leader in providing training and education services to the natural resource management community to better accomplish our common goal of conserving fish, wildlife, and their habitat....Computer and Statistical Courses: Biostatistics, Sample Design for Aquatic Field Studies (Experimental Design), Introduction to Desktop GIS For Field Biologists, National FWS Geographic Information Systems Workshop, Introduction to GPS For Field Biologists, Vegetative Cover Mapping For GIS Developers, Computer Applications In Fish & Wildlife Management, Computer Support for Field Stations--basic, Computer Support for Field Stations--advanced, Data and Systems Development, Introduction to Internet for Field Stations...Learn how to apply the Gap Analysis/The Nature Conservancy vegetative cover classification system to your field site. The course includes both field and computer lab exercises which show you how to interpret the cover classifications according to the vegetation found on-site and how to generate GIS data layers accordingly. See also: GIS Introduction For Conservation Professionals . GIS Design for Regional Conservation Planning .GIS Design for Refuge Management . GIS Vegetative Cover Mapping . Introduction to Conservation Biology .

UNESCO Remote-sensing training course in coastal research and management . (By Dr. R. Sudarshana Indian Institute of Remote Sensing 4, Kalidas Road P. O. Box 135 Dehra Dun 248001 India Fax.: (91) 135 65 11 08/65 09 44/65 19 87, and by Dr. A. Meshal UNESCO Doha Office P. O. Box 3945 Doha Qatar Fax.: (974) 86 76 44 email - mailto:a.meshal@unesco.org. Course Contact: UNESCO Coastal Regions & Small Islands Unit 1, rue Miollis Paris 75732 Cedex 15 France Fax.: (33) 1 45 68 58 08 email - mailto:csi@unesco.org), "A training course on the use of remote sensing techniques in coastal research and management was held at the Faculty of Marine Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 21-26 December 1996. Following are details on the course; Assessment of the remote-sensing needs of the Gulf States, Background to the training course, Syllabus, Organization of the course" .

USGS 'What is a GIS' Article .(U.S. Geological Survey, 804 National Center, Reston, VA 20192, USA email: mailto:esicmail@usgs.gov . URL http://www.usgs.gov/research/gis/title.html) "Geographic information systems (GIS) technology can be used for scientific investigations, resource management, and development planning. " includes: Relating information from different sources, Data capture, Data integration, Projection and registration, Data structures, Data modeling, Information retrieval, Topological modeling, Networks Overlay, Data output, GIS through history, Using GIS, Mapmaking, Site selection, Emergency response planning, Simulating environmental effects, Graphic display techniques, The future of GIS. .

What's GIS? by Ray Wills (Email: rwills@sunny.gis.uwa.edu.au Ph: +61 9 480 3640 Fx: +61 9 480 3641 Snail: Kings Park & Botanic Garden, West Perth WA 6005, Australia.). "Want to know what a Geographic Information System (GIS) is? Or maybe more about related technologies? Try a few of these links to build up your own picture! Visit another of my pages to see how GIS can be used for conservation by modeling plant disease in ecosystems.(with ArcInfo and ArcView)"

ArcView Tutorial . Geographic Information Center (GIC) at Sonoma State University. . (1801 E. Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park, CA 94928 USA tel:707-664-2194 Fax: 707-664-3920 Contact: Dr. Bryan Baker, Associate Professor of Geography & Director of the GIC, mailto:bryan.baker@sonoma.edu) "This course introduces you to tools and techniques for today’s geographic work and research. The course prepares you for more advanced courses in geographic techniques. By the end of this course, you will be able to: identify appropriate maps and imagery for specific geographic tasks, interpret the symbology and content of maps, manipulate geographic software and databases, especially geographic information systems (GIS), generate computerized maps for specific tasks, describe how to obtain additional information and training in appropriate technology for geographic tasks " Includes good tutorial exercises in the following areas: Introducing ArcView, Projections, scale and measurement on maps, Topographic map interpretation, Navigation and global positioning systems (GPS), Databases and data formats for GIS, GIS analysis, Remote sensing – aerial photography and satellite imagery .

Non-Profit Communications, outreach and media tutorials: . Offered free by: The Biodiversity Project (214 N. Henry Street, Suite 203 Madison, WI, 53703 tel: (608) 250-9876 Fax (608) 257-3513, Project Director, Jane Elder, email: jelder@cgbd.org). . Lessons include: Crafting Effective Messages, Communicating about Biodiversity, Public Opinion Research Firms, Media, PR and Advertising Firms, Grantmakers Interested in Biodiversity Outreach

Non-profit technology resource tutorials: . Offered free by Compumentor (89 Stillman Street San Francisco, CA 94107 (415)512-7784 email: Info@compumentor.org ) . . Lessons include Systems Management, Hiring a Consultant, Planning Databases, Networking Concepts, Managing Volunteers and Planning a Website.

Very useful set of GIS & DEM tutorials : GENERATING CONTOUR LINES FROM 7.5 MIN DEM FILES, by R. Douglas Ramsey. IMPORTING USGS 3-ARC SECOND DTED INTO AN ARC LATTICE, by R. Douglas Ramsey

Course: Introduction to GIS using ArcInfo . .Offered by: Prof. Yosef Cohen, University of Minnesota

Course: Conservation GIS using ArcView .Offered by: ESRI Virtual Campus

Authored by Conservation GIS Consortium/Ecotrust/Pacific Biodiversity Institute

Overview

Author: Conservation GIS Consortium 

This course of six modules uses actual applications and conservation data to teach ArcView GIS and solve common conservation problems. You will study the distribution of grizzly bears in the Northern Rockies, use satellite and other types of image data, conduct a watershed analysis in Western Washington, examine potential environmental impacts of a proposed timber sale in Eastern Washington, and examine potential mineral development in protected areas of British Columbia. 

Modules

Prerequisites and Recommendations
Before taking this module, you should be familiar with basic ArcView GIS operations and concepts, such as: 

Students who register for the entire Conservation GIS using ArcView GIS course can download a copy of ArcView GIS Virtual Campus Edition for free!

Length
This course includes approximately 18 hours of online instruction, though actual hours may vary by student. Once enrolled, you may access this module indefinitely. 

Data
To complete the lessons and exercises within this course you need to download Conservation GIS using ArcView GIS data which is provided at the beginning of each exercise.

Exam and Certification
A Certificate is awarded at the end of each module. To receive a certificate of completion, you must pass the module exam with a score of 75 percent or higher. You may take the exam as many times as you like, but different questions are presented each time. 

In addition, you receive a special course certificate when you complete the entire six module Conservation GIS using ArcView GIS course.

(Legend: ESRI User Conference Papers list the title, then in parentheses "paper" or "abstract" plus the year. Other web-located papers list title, author if known, and excerpt.)

GIS Design for Regional Conservation Planning/Course Outline (William L. Allen, The Conservation Fund, PO Box 271, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, Telephone: 919-967-2223 Fax: 919-967-9702 E-mail: allentcf@aol.com, Cheryl Crupi ) . The Conservation Fund has been asked by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Education and Training Center (NETC) to help develop a land and water conservation curriculum for the training, education, and leadership development of conservation professionals in the nonprofit, government, and corporate sectors. The Conservation Fund's GIS Program, Conservation GIS Solutions, has been asked to coordinate the development of courses aimed at applying cutting-edge conservation tools such as geographic information systems. Conservation GIS Solutions is developing an outline for a course on designing regional conservation planning projects using GIS as a tool to facilitate land use decision making. The course will address issues related to conservation GIS development (e.g., articulation of management objectives, user needs assessment, and GIS partnership development) as well as those related to GIS project design (project planning, data acquisition, development, and documentation, and project implementation). The course will also include case studies of successful conservation GIS projects that have utilized GIS as a decision making tool. The Conservation Fund hopes that this course will help conservation professionals from the nonprofit, government, and corporate sectors develop partnerships to design successful regional conservation planning projects using GIS as a decision support tool. After feedback from the USFWS and other government agencies, ESRI user conference attendees, corporate GIS users, and Land Trust Alliance members, we hope to offer the inaugural course at the NETC in late 1997.