Applied Geomatics Research Group (AGRG)Applied Geomatics Research Group (AGRG)

WorkshopWorkshop

April 26, 2004April 26, 2004

Presenters: Presenters: Dr Bob Maher, Senior Research ScientistDr Bob Maher, Senior Research Scientist

Dr. David Woolnough, Principal/AVC, Director, Applied ResearchDr. David Woolnough, Principal/AVC, Director, Applied ResearchDavid Colville, Research ScientistDavid Colville, Research ScientistTim Webster, Research ScientistTim Webster, Research Scientist

Roger Mosher, Software EngineerRoger Mosher, Software EngineerHeather Stewart, Research ScientistHeather Stewart, Research Scientist

Dr Chris Hopkinson, Research ScientistDr Chris Hopkinson, Research Scientist

Introduction and Overview

Applied Geomatics Research Group

Partnering Opportunities

Purpose of the Workshop

• to give an overview of current research at AGRG    • to share our knowledge of current initiatives that may offer

opportunities    • to describe status of draft NSERC proposal and to receive

feedback

History of AGRG

• January 2000: First CFI award. Three Research Scientists• September 2000: First Applied Geomatics Research program

enrollment• March 2002: Second CFI award• January 2003: First AIF award

– add Research Scientist (Roger Mosher)• December 2003: First CIHR award

- add Research Scientist (Heather Stewart)• March 2004: Third CFI award

- add Research Scientist (Chris Hopkinson) 

Current Status

• 6 Research Scientists• 8 Applied Geomatics Research students• 4 Contract Researchers• 2 Support staff

Workshop does not address:

• individual student or contract research projects (see web site)    • give detail on current CCAF or AIF project (see Geomatics

Atlantic workshop in June, Fredericton)    • use of Geomatics on environmental issues

( see NS Energy R & D forum, May, Antigonish)

Workshop does :

• introduces Research Scientists at AGRG    • gives some specifics on their current interests

Current AGRG Activities

• Annapolis-Cornwallis Hydrogeology Project (GSC) Tim Webster

• Annapolis Valley Meteorological Mapping Project David Colville

• Parks Canada – Critical Habitat for Blanding’s Turtle Heather Stewart

• Coastal Zone – Decision Support System (DSS)Roger Mosher

• Southeast NB Climate Change Action Fund (CCAF) Tim Webster

• LiDAR Applications Chris Hopkinson

The Path Ahead

Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR)

• Title: The changing physical and social landscape in Atlantic rural Canada. A centre targeting implications for Health through Research Enhancement, trans-disciplinary exchange and informed policy. 

• Principal Investigator: Dr Judy Guernsey, Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University

• Partners: Memorial University, UPEI, AGRG, Mount Allison, UNB

• Value: $2.4m                    • Duration: 6 years• Status: kick off meeting May 6/7

Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) #3

• Title: Environmental Health applications of Geomatics 

• Principal Investigator: AGRG• Partners: C-CLEAR, Optech, Mosaic Mapping• Value: $2.08m                • Duration: 4 years• Status: meetings with LiDAR industry April 19/20

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)

• Title: Integrating Environmental and Geomatics technologies for landscape monitoring, assessment and restoration 

• Principal Investigator: AGRG• Partners: to be determined (this workshop)• Value: $900k                • Duration: 3 years• Status: proposal due May 28 

Atlantic Environment Sciences Network (AESN)

i) watershed theme• Title: Collaborative proposal for watershed management and

policy in Atlantic Canada • Principal Investigator: Dr John Roff, Department of

Environmental Sciences, Acadia• Value: $2.27          • Duration: 5 years• Status: Letter of Intent to SSHRC 

ii) biodiversity/bioinformatics theme • Status: EC hired Wendy MacDonald to identify resources and

interest in Atlantic Canada

Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF)

i) Title: Developing a Coastal Zone Decision Support System for Disaster Management 

• Principal Investigator: AGRG• Partners: GeoNet, CARIS, Helical Systems• Value: $5.5m                • Duration: 5 years• Status: end of year 1, meeting April 29/30 

ii) Title: Environmental technologies and precision agriculture initiative • Principal Investigator: Oxford Frozen Foods Ltd• Partners: NSAC, AGRG, Wild blueberry producers, NS wild

Blueberry Institute, NU-TECH• Value: $4.48m                • Duration: 5 years• Status: kick off meeting April 16

Re-inventing AVC

Dr Woolnough

Specific next steps -Natural Sciences and Engineering

Research Council of Canada (NSERC)

Title: Integrating Environmental and Geomatics technologies for landscape monitoring, assessment and restoration 

What are the technologies? 

a) Environmental 

- in-situ instrumentation to measure: 

NSERC draft proposal  under College and Community Innovation Pilot Program 

•water quality and quantity •air quality                •climate variables                •soil variables 

b) Geomatics

- remote instrumentation     

• total station                • GPS       

• LiDAR                • aerial photography                • CASI       

- survey instrumentation  

- GIS software               

•spatial data management                •analysis and modeling                •visualization                •web access

Applied Research Objectives

1) to investigate multi-scale research questions that can be formulated as the result of high resolution descriptions of the landscape   

2) to use LiDAR, digital aerial photography and other remote sensing technology to define the earth's surface and cover   

3) within GIS environment, conduct research on the relationship between the landscape and the hydrological, climate and ecosystem processes   

4) to use the Annapolis Valley (watersheds for the Annapolis and Cornwallis Rivers) as a laboratory for detailed field investigations of the land cover (natural communities and agriculture) in relation to these landscape processes.   

5) to monitor changes in landscape processes over time and in response to extreme events. 

Economic Development Objectives 

1) we will continue to bring new technology into the region e.g. LiDAR, wireless   

2) we shall use the Annapolis Valley as our laboratory. The data sets and their interpretation will be available to local industry for use and value-added research.   

3) we want to work with local universities/industry to develop new intelligent sensors   

4) for local Environmental and Geomatics technology service providers we will be looking for partnerships, joint training sessions and workshops, leading to future AIF proposals.   

5) through the AVC Business Incubation Centre, we expect to develop local opportunities for trained graduates of AGRG. 

From the NSERC CCIP program description

Funds may be used- to provide release time from teaching to faculty members to allow them to work on innovation program and projects    - to support student involvement in projects    - to develop facilities    - outreach to local business and industry, including SMEs in the

targeted area    - develop technology transfer experience    - develop a technology evaluation program   

- activities to support innovation

Potential to contribute to local and/or regional innovation

- fit of proposal to the needs of the community    - relationship of the proposal to the institutions strategic plan    - opportunity for expanding innovation in the community    - track record of institution in contributing to local innovation    - quality and incrementality of the training to be provided    - need for skills of trainees in the local community    - involvement of, and impact on, various partners in the

community 

What do we need?

- involvement of the local community    - involvement of the academic community    - letters of support

Discussion

Questions