* NRWA - Mapping with Garmin GPS and Google Earth

Mapping with Garmin GPS and Google Earth: Free Workshop for Professional Foresters

Thursday June 16, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to noon
at NRWA River Resource Center, 592 Main Street (Rt. 119) in Groton, MA

Note: Course is fully enrolled. Accepting waitlist only.

David Kimball Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist at the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will lead this free mapping workshop for professional foresters. In this course, we will learn to collect GPS (Global Positioning System) point locations and track lines in the field using simple handheld Garmin GPS units and convert the point and track locations into a format that can be viewed on a computer using free Google Earth and Google Maps software, then printed for use in plans and reports. The training will involve a fieldwork component and an indoor computer component. Please bring your own Garmin brand GPS unit. We may have a few extra GPS units you can use during the training. Dress appropriately for outdoor work.

The course is worth the following CFE credits: 2.75 MA Continuing Forestry Education, Category 1; 2.5 SAF Category 1 Credits; and NH Continuing Forestry Education Credits will be available (Hours TBD).

Space is limited to 24 participants; registration on first come, first serve basis.

Our presenter, David Kimball, has worked at DCR (formerly the Department of Environmental Management) since 1998. His work has encompassed a wide variety of tasks including GPS data collection, GIS analysis, data development, cartography, interactive web map design and programming. He holds a BA in Environmental Studies from Oberlin College and a Certificate in Geographic Information Technologies from UMass Boston.

This workshop is funded in part by US Forest Service – Forest Service Redesign grant. To register, or for more information, please contact Al Futterman, NRWA Land Programs and Outreach Director, at (978) 448-0299, or email Al Futterman.