GPS Workshop at ANREP

At ANREP 2008 There will be a Skills Building Workshop focused on geospatial technology on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 from 2 to 5pm. It is Concurrent Session III and is entitled The Global Positioning System: A Hands-on, Field Based Workshop for Natural Resource Managers.

Three Geospatial Extension Specialists will lead the workshop: John McGee, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA; John Nowatzki, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, and Barron Orr, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.

Session: Skills Building Workshops - Concurrent Session III (May 20, 1:55 - 5:00 pm)

The implementation of geospatial products and services, and the associated demand for geospatial services can be described as nothing short of “explosive”. Geospatial tools are changing the way government agencies, , business, and individuals manage information and make decisions. The United States Department of Labor has identified geotechnology as one of the three most important emerging and evolving fields. Some reports suggest that the demand for geospatial skills are increasingly so rapidly that workforce needs will not be met.

The workshop will provide participants with the following:

• an overview of how GPS works;
• tips of the trade / getting the most out of your GPS receiver;
• exposure to different GPS receiver features and capabilities;
• tips on selecting an appropriate GPS to support the day to day business application needs of agents and specialists, and;
• demonstrations of free and inexpensive software that can be used to support the acquisition, downloading, verification, and “mapping” GPS data.

In addition, participants will be provided with hands-on instruction using a recreational grade GPS receiver.

ANREP is a national association for Cooperative Extension Service (CES) professionals working in environmental education, fisheries, forestry, wood sciences, range, recreation, waste management, water, wildlife, and related disciplines.