COOPERATIVE CONSERVATION CASE STUDY

GIS Environmental Master Plan

Bringing GIS to Local Communities

Location: Northeastern/Mid-Atlantic

Project Summary: Assisting Smaller Communities with environmental remediation, land use planning, and other activities by supplying GIS data and technical expertise.

Resource Challenge

GIS data is an increasingly valuable tool for land use planning, environmental remediation, zoning, and other activities, but smaller communities often lack the financial resources and technical expertise to acquire and use this data. As a result, these communities are hamstrung in their efforts to address important conservation and other challenges.

Examples of Key Partners

Amerian Heritage Rivers

Pennsylvania GIS Consortium

US Department of Agriculture

EPA

Results and Accomplishments

We have created a world-class geographic information system (GIS) technology data base and team of experts under the direction of the Pennsylvania GIS Consortium, a non-profit organization led by Wilkes University and King's College to promote the use of GIS in the Upper Susquehanna-Lackawanna watershed. We have received multiple national awards, including $3.4 million for this effort. We are one of only five National Spatial Data Infrastructure Sites; we have participated in the USDA Rural GIS Program for six years; and, most recently, we have commenced work in partnership with the Office of Surface Mining.

We have achieved a 439 percent leverage ratio with respect to our funding -- and have provided training to more than 120 GIS personnel employed by local municipalities, universities, and not-for-profit conservation entities. We received the Hammer Award for reinventing government in 1999

Innovation/Highlight

Project Contact

Alex Rogers
Navigator
Upper Susquehanna American Heritage River
7 N. Wilkes-Barre Blvd, Suite 432M
Wilkes-Barre, SC 18702
570-826-6340
arogers@epix.net

Website: http://www.pagis.org

To request additions or corrections to this case study email the Administrator

Current Conservation Programs