Satellite-based GPS technology is a highly useful and increasingly popular tool for environmental monitoring and mapping. Many people are intrigued, yet daunted by this new technology. This series of hands-on workshops provides a basic introduction to using handheld GPS units for ecological fieldwork and other pursuits, including navigation and basic digital map-making. You can register for just one workshop, the entire series, or something in between, depending on your interests (….though please note that you must have taken GPS I: Navigation in order to take GPS II: Pictures and Points or GPS III: Routes.) Participants are encouraged to use GPS units provided by course instructors, although they are welcome to work side-by-side with their own handheld GPS. 

Introduction to GPS I: Navigation. This workshop provides a basic introduction to using handheld GPS units for navigation and marking points of interest. Designed for people with minimal to no prior GPS experience. Cost: $40.

Introduction to GPS II: Pictures and Points. Participants in this workshop learn how to link digital photographs with corresponding GPS points for use in digital mapping. Pre-requisite: Introduction to GPS I. Cost: $45.

Introduction to GPS III: Routes. Participants in this workshop learn how to track their travel routes using handheld GPS units and to upload waypoints and routes into Google Earth. Pre-requisite: Introduction to GPS I. Cost: $40.

Introduction to GIS. This workshop answers the question: what digital mapping software is available for free, and what can it do? Designed for people with minimal to no prior GIS experience. Cost: $40.

The Spring 2009 workshop dates are as follows:

GPS I: Navigation. Saturday, February 7, 9 am - noon.
GPS II: Pictures & Points. Saturday,  February 14, 9 am - 1 pm.
GPS III: Routes. Saturday, February 21, 9 am - noon.
GIS. Thursday, March 5, 4 - 7 pm.

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“Knew nothing before; know a lot more now!”
– Norm Spicher (Intro to GPS I: Navigation, October 2007)

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For more information, contact AVEO at brett@aveo.org or (603) 358-2065. To register, contact KSC Continuing Education at (603) 358-2290.

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For information on more in-depth GPS and GIS trainings, click here to visit the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension’s Geospatial Technologies Training Center.  UNH Cooperative Extension will be offering several GIS workshops in Keene this December!  Click here for details.