GPS 101: Technology for Better Land Management Chris Dillard; dillach@aces.edu; Alabama Cooperative Extension System

Beau Brodbeck; brodbam@aces.edu; Alabama Cooperative Extension System Jack Rowe; wjr0001@aces.edu; Alabama Cooperative Extension System

Abstract

The global positioning system (GPS) and geographic information systems (GIS) are important tools for owners in managing their land and forests. The goal of the project, “GPS 101: Technology for Better Land Management”, was to educate participants on GPS and GIS and on how these technologies can assist in land management. The project promoted the use of geospatial tools and applications, and the integration of geospatial concepts in land management. The project consisted of eight introductory-level workshops that were held in various Alabama counties (Fig. 1 and 2). The target audience for the project was land owners who are interested in incorporating geospatial technologies into their management strategies. The project outcomes and impacts were measured using tests and surveys to determine what participants learned and whether it changed their land management behaviors (Fig. 3).

The workshops included presentations (Fig. 4 and 5), GPS exercises and GIS software training on laptop computers. GPS exercises consisted of hands-on training on the use of GPS hardware and on typical data collection tasks, including waypoint collection and area calculation (Fig. 6 and 7). GIS software training consisted of GPS data import and analysis, map creation and editing, and data creation and editing (Fig. 8 and 9). As a result of post-workshop evaluations and collaborator discussions, a workshop manual has been developed. The manual includes workshop presentations, articles, tutorials, and a CD containing geospatial software and additional articles. Pre and post-workshop tests showed an increase in attendee knowledge of geospatial technologies. A survey showed that workshop attendees have incorporated geospatial technologies into their land management practices. Workshop evaluations indicate interest in further training.

Outcomes and Impacts

The eight workshops conducted during 2011 resulted in 142 people being educated on geospatial technologies. Of those, 128 had never attended a geospatial technologies workshop. Attendees scored the workshop at a grade of 90%, based on post-workshop evaluations. Pre and post tests showed an average 23% increase in knowledge of geospatial technologies. A survey conducted in early 2012 revealed that as a result of attending the workshop, 12.5% of respondents purchased a GPS unit and 6.3% purchased mapping software. Based on what they learned in the workshop, 68.8% of respondents utilized geospatial technologies at home or in their work and all of those respondents replied that the information learned in the workshop made the technology easier to adopt.

Expected Outputs Accomplished Outputs Deficiency & Explanation

Program Outcomes

8 Workshops: 1 Per Region

8 workshops : Tuscaloosa, Sumter, Conecuh, Mobile, Autauga, Cullman, Dallas, and Clarke Other workshops: Blount, Henry, and Mobile

Programs in the northern and southeast part of the state were limited

See Chart Below

Support Manual Support manual developed Need to enhance manual NA

Short, Tutorial Videos

Short, tutorial videos developed for Google Earth

Continue to develop additional videos

NA

Figure 1

2011 Workshop Locations

Figure 2

Location Number of Attendees

Overall Workshop

Quality

First GPS Workshop for

Attendee

Pre/Post Test = Knowledge Change

Self-Learning

Evaluation

Thomasville 25 94% 75% 74% to 92% = 18% NA

Selma 9 88% 33% 76% to 96% = 20% NA

Cullman 25 90% 65% 63% to 92% = 29% NA

Autaugaville 16 90% 80% 76% to 92% = 16% NA

Mobile 17 93% NA 72% to 92% = 20% NA

Evergreen 17 93% 76% 63% to 97% = 34% NA

Livingston 15 85% 100% NA 88%

Tuscaloosa 18 87% 68% NA 92%

TOTALs 142 90% 71% 23% 90%

Figure 3

Presentations

Figure 4 Figure 5

Hands-On GPS Training

Figure 6 Figure 7

Hands-On Computer Training

Figure 8 Figure 9