PRESENTER: Shane Bradt, Extension Specialist, Geospatial Technologies, UNH Cooperative Extension
ABSTRACT: For over a century, maps have been a key part of many starting point for discussions, a way to share local knowledge, and have provided spatial information to inform decisions on a range of issues. Online mapping offers the promise of a spatially relevant, interactive method for connecting to and with outreach audiences in ways not possible a few short years ago. The patterns and potential of online mapping for Cooperative Extension are equally relevant for organizations of all types hoping to conduct effective outreach and engagement. While many organizations engaging in outreach are currently using online mapping effectively in their work, a far greater number are either not using it at all, or not using it to its fullest potential.
In order to promote the use online mapping in Cooperative Extension and other organizations involved in outreach and engagement, the eXtension geospatial technologies Community of Practice (Map@Syst) has created a new website
http://exgeospatial.org. While still linked to the parent
http://extension.org and its capabilities (such as Learn for webinars, Ask an Expert for direct support), the new Map@Syst website provides an opportunity to both inspire people with examples of how online maps can be used for outreach and engagement, and provide support for those who need help learning how to make and share maps online.
This presentation will outline how GIS users can use the Map@Syst website to help their own colleagues, clients and/or students better understand how mapping may be used for outreach and engagement, while providing an opportunity for those same users to describe and share their own examples of outreach with online mapping.
