Background: digital elevation model of Mt. Hood, Oregon Why GIS? A brief overview GIS for Communities and Natural Resources D’Anne Hammond

WHO needs GIS? City, county, state government –Planners, city councils, public works, assessors... more Natural resource agencies Health organizations Scientists, businesses, utilities... more anyone involved in managing public assets or processes

WHAT is GIS? Geographic Information System For spatial data management and decision- making –Locates, overlays, analysis, planning, visualization Where is the asset or problem? What is affected by the asset or problem? Who is affected by the asset or problem? All spatial information can be visualized, queried, managed, and manipulated using GIS

WHAT is GIS...ESRI* A geographic information system (GIS) lets us visualize, question, analyze, interpret, and understand data to reveal relationships, patterns, and trends. *Environmental Systems Research Institute Free GIS software is also available; GRASS, QGIS most common

HOW to GIS? 1.Needs assessment What do you want to get back out of your GIS? Existing data (drawings, CAD, aerial imagery, other) Data acquisition (planning, sources, time) Decide who needs access to the data (data sharing) Decide software/hardware (depends on implementation) 2.Learn how to use GIS - high learning curve OR hire someone to teach it and use it 3.Convert / collect data 4.Implementation - create databases, etc.

GIS options Own your system –most functional and convenient Online applications –lower cost, host data off-site Fully functional system (analyses) vs. Simplified mapping, overlays, visualization Asset management systems - many available –Pre-packaged –Piece it together –Integrate with field technology

GIS cost Depends on: –Existing data, conversion, acquisition –Extent of implementation mapping vs. asset mgt. and analysis –System you choose to implement software, hardware –Hiring vs. training –Available partnership opportunities –Available grants or other funding

GIS benefits Cost reductions –Manual vs. GIS-based map creation –Reduced work-order entries (centralized) Cost avoidance –Reduced cost issuing and tracking permits –Forecast infrastructure dev. (don’t overbuild) –Save time for property searches: centralized source for rights and encumbrances Increased efficiency & productivity –Reduced man-hours hunting for maps

Regulatory compliance Improved coordination of projects Link to utility billing and service monitoring Benefits lead to... Increased transparency Improved customer satisfaction and staff wellbeing Better budget outcomes GIS benefits cont’d

Education & experience GIS, SNR, MPP Graduate GIS certificate, OSU Geosciences Advanced level ArcGIS Remote sensing and raster data Responsible GIS practice (ethics) Philomath sign management gps sign inventory: data dictionary and data collection, 750+ signs; FHWA, MUTCD, and GASB regs. GIS map data connected to MSAccess (drawbacks) OPRD grant, city and park maps

Education & experience SNR certificate, used GIS for imagery watersheds vegetation classification regional ownership maps GIS data enabled production of reports with land-use and other policy considerations Master’s in Public Policy, rural focus Policy research and analysis Econometrics Natural resources and community values Poverty

GIS for Communities and Natural Resources Needs assessment Data collection GIS implementation consult Connecting you with the right system and services to meet your needs