Hot News Items - March 2006

CA Geospatial Framework Draft Data Plan Outreach Workshop
8-11 a.m. on April 5 at CALGIS 2006, Santa Barbara, CA
Baker and CGIA, on behalf of the USGS, California Resources Agency, and the California GIS Council, are excited to announce a two-part session open to all CALGIS conference attendees:

1. Geospatial Data Coordination for FEMA's Map Modernization Program (30 minutes)
The FEMA Map Modernization Geospatial Data Coordination Initiative with local, regional, state and federal government agencies to leverage existing GIS data and build partnerships for data sharing and cooperation will be highlighted.

2. Outreach Workshop for the California Geospatial Framework Draft Data Plan (2.5 hours)
Baker will conduct the first of five State Outreach Workshops to reach a broad participant base who will come together at CalGIS in Santa Barbara. That's you! The workshop goals are to:

1. Collect and document input from regional GIS collaboratives/councils and the public on Geospatial framework datasets for California, including regional priorities;
2. Summarize existing geospatial initiatives such as Framework data definitions, Geospatial One-Stop, NSDI, Imagery for the Nation, NDEP & NDOP, California Spatial Information Library (CaSIL), and discuss regional GIS collaborative activities;
3. Identify and prioritize data themes based on statewide/ regional/ local use potential, availability relative to existing geographic coverage and distribution rights, estimated timeline to serve data; and
4. Capture knowledge on availability, custodians, maintenance, costs, and future hosting options of existing data sources.

Your input will be captured in workshop summaries and rolled up into the Draft Data Plan, a living document for subsequent Geospatial Framework development and implementation in California.

For more info, download PDF flyer

CGIA awards contract to Michael Baker Jr. Inc. for development of a "California Geospatial Framework Data Draft Plan"
CGIA is pleased to announce that it has signed a contract with Michael Baker Jr., Inc., an engineering unit of Michael Baker Corporation (Amex:BKR), to conduct outreach workshops across California and author the California Geospatial Framework Data Draft Plan (the California Geospatial Framework Plan). In pursuing this initiative, CGIA is acting in its capacity as partner to and fiscal agent for the California GIS Council. CGIA is also partnering with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and California Resources Agency, with funding from the USGS and Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC).

The Plan will enhance California's capacity to develop and share an integrated set of geospatial data that is critical to coordinated regional geospatial application development efforts within the state. By conducting interagency and public outreach workshops, Baker will 1) develop a comprehensive list of critical geospatial framework data, stakeholders, and sponsoring agencies, 2) propose data sharing actions and priorities, and 3) conduct dialog forums on the California Geospatial Framework Plan, which is intended to facilitate operational collaboration and cost sharing. It is intended that the California Geospatial Framework Plan will be a stellar example of a component of CGIA's Fifty States Initiative in support of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI).

2006 CGIA Awards to be Announced at CalGIS
Since 1997, the California Geographic Information Association (CGIA) has recognized the outstanding accomplishments of the state's GIS community through its annual awards program. Nominations have been sought for the following awards categories:

• Chair's Award: honoring an individual who has made outstanding contributions in the promotion, innovation, and/or use of GIS technology.
• Exemplary Systems Award: honoring the outstanding and innovative application of GIS technology.
• Advancement of Collaboration Award: honoring exemplary inter-organizational collaborative efforts in GIS (data sharing, standards adoption, etc).
• Outstanding Internet Presentation Award: honoring outstanding application of GIS and web technologies.
• Excellence in Education Award: honoring outstanding educational institutions and programs in GIS.

Explanation of the award categories can be found here on the CGIA website. Nominations were due on March 3, 2006. Winners will be announced at the 2006 CalGIS conference in Santa Barbara, April 5-7, 2006.

National Hydrography Dataset One-Day Workshop
Tuesday, April 4 or Wednesday, April 5, 8:30-5:00
Ventura College Sciences Conference Room (SCI 333) 8:30-12:30
Ventura College GIS lab (SCI 113) 1:30-5:00

This workshop will closely examine the portrayal of California hydrography to uncover strengths and weaknesses of the data. Using the National Hydrography Dataset along with easy-to-use GIS functions, you will learn how to create basic surface water maps. You will add intelligence about the water to build a powerful database containing the characteristics of the surface water for California. Armed with this information, you will make better-informed decisions based on an in-depth understanding of California's surface water.

To take full advantage of the CalGIS annual conference, we have scheduled this training in Ventura to maximize travel options. Please pick the day that works best for you and contact costergren@usgs.gov (916-278-9510) for reservations---first come, first served, but we will try to accommodate everyone.

CGIA & Regional Collaboratives Panel at CALGIS
The CGIA presentation for the Regional Collaboratives Panel has been accepted at CALGIS as Session 91, Friday, April 7, 8 am to 10 am.

The first session will focus on the implementation of CGIA's leadership vision. Main points include the impact of our new website for CGIA and its members, the benefits of supporting CGIA with membership and participation, the consequences of not having an effective CGIA and an explanation of current initiatives for both accomplishments during 2004-05 and on-going initiatives in 2005-06. Other discussion topics include a preview of CGIA's future strategic possibilities over the next three years. These include CGIA increasing synergistic regional collaboration, demonstrating why GIS is a "technology of choice" for evaluating many of California's cultural, economic and political policy choices, and CGIA's leadership role towards policy and legislative changes to allocate resources for creating on-going data sharing, training, regional collaboration projects in concert with the California Geographic Information Councils strategic directions. The session will also show how the organization encourages operational cooperation to implement emergency management, homeland security, and other regional projects.

The second session, from 9 am to 10 am, involves a regional collaboration roundtable with stakeholders about projects that have improved collaboration, cooperation, and resource allocation in support of strategic regional initiatives that have statewide implications and identify future regional project possibilities. This purpose of this open forum is for the California Geographic Information Association (CGIA) and the California GIS Council to obtain feedback that can be used to focus future policy discussion and direction.

For complete conference information, please visit www.calgis.org.

Two-Day Course, "Working with ArcGIS Network Analyst," at the Oakland Training Lab April 13th & 14th, 2006

Built around the new network dataset, ArcGIS Network Analyst software incorporates an advanced connectivity model that more accurately represents real-world multimodal networks. This course teaches how to create network datasets and migrate existing data, such as shapefiles and coverages, into a network dataset.

Participants work with network datasets to solve different types of network problems such as finding the most efficient travel route, finding the closest facility, and defining service areas based on travel time. The course also teaches how to calculate origin-destination matrices for network locations.

This course is designed for experienced ArcGIS users who want to create and manage network datasets and perform network system analyses. Participants should have completed Introduction to ArcGIS I or Learning ArcGIS 9 and Introduction to ArcGIS II. Completion of Building Geodatabases I is recommended.

Those who complete this course will be able to:

• Understand fundamental concepts of the ArcGIS network dataset.
  
• Differentiate between network datasets and geometric networks.
  
• Create network datasets.
  
• Define network dataset properties such as connectivity groups, connectivity policies, and network attributes.
  
• Migrate existing network data sources to ArcGIS network datasets.
  
• Generate and use turn movements within network datasets.
  
• Solve routing, closest facility, and service area problems.
  
• Perform network analysis using tools and models.

ESRI site: $900 (per seat)
Client site: $7,000 (up to 12 participants)
For more information, contact Ms. Leah Saunders at lsaunders@esri.com or the ESRI Learning Center at: 888-377-4575, extension 1-1585, learngis@esri.com.

UC Davis course, Geography 298: Spatial Technologies
Professors Jim Quinn and Susan Ustin, Winter 2006
Fridays, 1-3 pm (changeable by group agreement), 1137 PES (Computer lab), 2 credits

During the past decade, spatial technologies such as geographic information systems (GIS), global positioning systems (GPS), and remote sensing have become essential tools for geographers and other social and environmental scientists across the globe.

The purpose of this class is to assemble a small group of graduate students and public agency scientists to evaluate the rapidly changing practice of geo-spatial technologies applied to environmental policy. Students will be expected to read background articles or documents before each session and will have an opportunity to contribute to the California Node of the National Biological Information Infrastructure (http://cain.nbii.org/).

The class will be held in the GIS teaching lab, and will include opportunities for hands-on evaluations of current GIS and geodatabase technology issues identified as of interest to the participants.

Technologies of interest could include:

• Geodatabases (esp. ArcHydro) and COM architectures (probably with examples from the Bureau of Reclamation)
  
• Biodiversity data and species distribution modeling
  
• The Semantic Web and related open-source developments
  
• Automated change detection

Applications may include:

• Watershed assessment and modeling
  
• Protecting rare and endangered species
  
• Early detection and rapid response toward invasive species
  
• Assessing connectedness and corridors for migration
  
• Restoration ecology and adaptive management

Schedule:

• Week 1: Organizational meeting January 6, or contact organizers (addresses below)
  
• Week 2: Review of some current initiatives
  
• Weeks 3-10: Presentations and lab sessions. Some weeks, we may invite visitors for the first hour.

Contact Jim Quinn (jfquinn@ucdavis.edu; 752-8027), Karen Beardsley (kbeardsley@ucdavis.edu), or Nate Roth (neroth@ucdavis.edu) for more information.

Unleashing the Power of GIS and GPS Workshop
March 6-7, 2006, Palmer House Hilton, Chicago IL
Learn how to turn data into knowledge that you and your organization can use in powerful new ways. Attend Unleashing the Power of GIS and GPS, a 2-day hands-on workshop for GIS users at all levels including novices and newcomers. This workshop will be in conjunction with the AAG conference in Chicago, IL on March 6-7, 2006 at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel in Chicago, IL. The workshop will help attendees:

• Understand how GIS is used in a variety of applications, including municipal government, natural hazards, natural resources, demographic analysis, and business
  
• Gain confidence in the hands-on use of GIS software and methods
  
• Comprehend spatial data sources and how to apply them to real-world problems
  
• Learn what GPS is and how to integrate GPS and GIS
  
• Become familiar with organizations, training opportunities, new trends, and literature in the field of GIS
  

Free ESRI Virtual Seminar, March 23:
Introduction ArcGIS Schematics
Presented live, these free training seminars are focused lectures on a variety of GIS topics for all levels of users. March 23: Introduction to ArcGIS Schematics. Times: 9 AM, 11 AM, & 3 PM Pacific (Los Angeles)

ESRI ArcGIS User Group Locations
ArcGIS User Groups provide a forum for ESRI users to share their experiences with each other, exchange best practices, and learn about new technology. These groups are very effective for new as well as experienced users. Topics range from entry level to advanced. Each meeting offers a focused, education-based agenda. Register now for the upcoming meeting in your area:

• March 1 - San Luis Obispo User Group Meeting
  Embassy Suites Hotel, San Luis Obispo, CA
• March 1 - Greater Los Angeles User Group Meeting
  Carson Community Center, Carson, CA
• March 8 - ESRI Virtual Engineering User Group Meeting
  WEBINAR, Redlands, CA
• March 8 - San Francisco Bay Area User Group Meeting
  University of Phoenix, Oakland, CA
• March 8 - Santa Rosa User Group Meeting
  Sonoma County, Santa Rosa, CA, 9am-noon
  Topics:
  • A Data Mining System for Geographic Data
    Creating a Standalone Spatially-Enabled Python Application Using the ArcGIS Geoprocessor - Laura Rodman, Nielsen Engineering & Research, Inc
  • The San Andreas Fault Zone in Sonoma County - perspectives from a geologist, and a review of some available GIS data. Michael Lane, Lane GeoGraphics, LLC
  • Linear Referencing
    Chris Grasteit, ESRI California Regional Office
• March 14 - Imperial Valley User Group Meeting
  Brawley Community Center, Brawley, CA
• March 14 - Chico Area User Group Meeting
  City of Chico Council Building, Chico, CA
  
• March 16 - Coachella Valley User Group Meeting
  Coachella Valley Assoc. of Government, Palm Desert, CA
  
• March 22 - Silicon Valley User Group Meeting
  Santa Clara Valley Water District, San Jose, CA
  
• March 23 - ESRI & Westin Engineering Seminar
  San Diego Marriott Mission Valley, San Diego, CA
  
• March 29 - Gold Country User Group Meeting
  Best Western Sonora Oaks, Sonora, CA
  

ESRI Conferences

• 2006 Regional Users Group Conference
  March 6-8, 2006, Waikiki Beach Marriott, Honolulu, HI
• ESRI Developer Summit
  March 17-18, 2006, Palm Springs, CA
• ESRI Worldwide Business Partner Conference
  March 18-21, 2006, Palm Springs, CA

The Northwest Environmental Training Center presents the 3-Day Contaminant Chemistry Series

• Course 1: Fundamental Contaminant Chemistry - A Review of Chemistry Principles Essential for Understanding Contaminant Behavior in the Environment
  Course No. CHEM-403A
  March 14, 2006, 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M. (1 Day)
  Mission Valley Resort, 875 Hotel Circle South, San Diego, California
  Course Details: http://www.nwetc.org/chem-403a_03-06_sandiego.htm
• Course 2: Contaminant Chemistry and Transport in Soil and Groundwater
  Course No. CHEM-403B
  March 15 - 16, 2006, 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M. (2 Days)
  Mission Valley Resort, 875 Hotel Circle South, San Diego, California
  Course Details: http://www.nwetc.org/chem-403b_03-06_sandiego.htm

Contact Erick McWayne at with questions.

International Conference in GIS and Health:
Geospatial Research and Application Frontiers in Environmental and Public Health Systems (GRAFEPHS 2006)
27-29 June 2006, Hong Kong, Abstract Submission deadline past (January 31, 2006)
Sponsored by The Croucher Foundation, Hong Kong
This 3-day conference, organized by Department of Geography, HKU and the State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information Systems (LREIS) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, will provide a forum for geospatial experts, practicing epidemiologists, statisticians, environmentalists, toxicologists, and public health physicians concerned with the impact of environmental exposures on the health of populations to chart their research paths and agenda.

Objectives of the conference:

• Improving the ability of those concerned in identifying environmental priorities and improving public health planning policy
  
• Assisting the consolidation of different research ideas and development directions
  
• Fostering possible international research and applied collaborations
  
• Assembling scholarly works for publication in conference proceedings or special reports
  
• Making recommendations to the government departments and health organizations in Hong Kong and other countries on infrastructural and other requirements for public and environmental health control.

For complete conference information, please visit http://geog.hku.hk/HealthGIS2006.

CGIA 2006-2007 Membership Drive Starting Soon!
We are encouraging larger organizations and corporations to become sustaining members in 2006-07. If your budget preparation time is now, be sure to budget for sustaining membership in CGIA ($200). Details on all membership categories are available here.

CGIA extends a special "Thank You" to the California Resources Agency for their hosting of our web site. This special arrangement reflects the close working relationship that exists between our two organizations and our mutual interests in using geospatial technologies to improve government services.