GIS, GPS, Drones & More Tech Videos

Building on the successes of GoToTrails and The Circuit Pipeline Tool over the last 8 years, Environmental Planning & Design (EPD) and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) have developed a searchable state-wide Trail Implementation Manager (TIM) database which houses thousands of miles of trails within the Commonwealth along with significant attribute data about each segment (currently comprised of over 1,000 segments). The TIM will be introduced to the public for the first time through this session, giving attendees a first look and insight into the latest, most comprehensive trail implementation tool in Pennsylvania. This tool raises the bar on traditional trail management by geolocating, compiling and housing over 2,000 miles of trails, displayed in an interactive map and searchable database. This session will explore the trail management tool in all aspects: how the TIM came to be, the development of the tool, and how users will be able to engage with the database.

On Thursday, September 29, WeConservePA hosted an update on advances in drone technology and roundtable conversation around their utility in conservation work. Guest speaker Merlin Benner, Founder and CEO of Wildlife Specialists, LLC, is a certified wildlife biologist with a broad range of experience in the use of drones. He has worked for both the Pennsylvania Game Commission and DCNR. He shared up-to-date information on available technology, reviewed training and licensing requirements, and addressed ecological concerns around drone use. Following the presentation participants were given the opportunity to share how they or their organizations currently use drone technology and their thoughts on potential future use.

From inventorying tree cover, to managing invasive species; from mapping riparian buffers, floodplains, recharge areas and other water-related resources, to inventorying municipal open space areas to improve management, Geographic Information System (GIS) is a powerful tool that can be used for environmental management and protection. And, with improvements in technology, the tools needed to put GIS to work can be found in your pocket. Many of the most popular software systems and tools are available free or as low-cost versions, and the number of publicly available data sets has also increased. In this presentation WeConservePA GIS Analyst Irina Beal outlines some of the tools, datasets, and resources that are available to assist EACs with GIS projects, and Ian Kindle with the City of Easton EAC will talk about their current open space inventory project, undertaken with guidance from Irina and WeConservePA.

If you’re still using ArcMap for your GIS, big change is coming. Esri is transitioning from ArcMap to ArcGIS Pro. That means, ready or not, you are too. With support for some ArcMap versions ending as soon as this year, the time to plan your Pro transition is now. This two-part session will introduce you to ArcGIS Pro. Part 1 will give you tips on transitioning to this brave new GIS world. Then in Part 2, we’ll use ArcGIS Pro in a live demo to see not only how to use the software, but how to go beyond the defaults, save time, and make better maps than you thought possible. In this session, you’ll learn: - When your version of ArcMap will no longer receive updates - What you’ll need to migrate to Pro—and how to do it New ways to find data and use it more efficiently - Time-saving tricks for viewing and processing data - Simple tools to create rich, beautiful maps that look like you spent days on them (when really you spent minutes). Leave ArcMap in the dust. Get ready to live.

The work of land conservation often takes place outdoors and away from the office, including monitoring land holdings and easements, collecting data to improve land management, and reporting on conditions and assets. This work can be made more efficient with the use of location data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). With simple configurable applications, users of all skill levels can digitally transform their field operations by modernizing paper workflows and ensuring the use of authoritative data in the field. In this presentation, staff from The Nature Conservancy will describe how Esri’s ArcGIS Field Maps and ArcGIS Online tools support their preserve monitoring and reporting workflows, in both the field and the office.