January 2007 Newsletter
2007 Indiana GIS Conference
March 13-14, 2007
Crown Plaza Hotel and Conference Center
Downtown Indianapolis
Mark your calendars for the annual Indiana GIS Conference, March 13-14, 2007. Professional development
opportunities abound, with exciting sessions, technology discussions, forums, expanded student poster competition and more!
Sponsorship and exhibiting space are now available online.
Visit the conference website for all the details.
Online registration for purchase orders and credit cards is now open. Early Bird pricing ends February 16th, so
sign up today!
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IGIC Board Member Nominations
IGIC is now accepting nominations for the 2007 Board of Directors. If you or someone you know would like to become more
involved, or learn more about serving, visit the
Council web pages. The open nomination period ends January 22nd.
There are seats open in the following categories:
County
University
Municipal
At Large
Private Industry
Critical Infrastructure
Utility
Commercial GIS Service Provider
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New Realigned TIGER Files Available
The U.S. Census Bureau has posted the 2006 1st Edition TIGER/Line Files online at
http://www.census.gov/geo/www/tiger/tiger2006fe/tgr2006fe.html.
This latest version of TIGER/Line files have realigned street features for counties that have been through the MAF/TIGER Accuracy
Improvement Project (MTAIP). There are two lists of counties with realigned street features; counties with realigned
street features in the 2006 First Edition TIGER/Line files; and a consolidated list of counties with realigned street features.
For more information visit
www.census.gov or contact Gail Krmenec
(gail.a.krmenec@census.gov) at the Census Bureau.
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Indiana Geological Survey at the Statehouse
The Indiana Geological Survey (IGS) will host an all-day exposition at the Indiana Statehouse on February 13, 2007.
The event will showcase the capabilities and accomplishments of IGS to the State Assembly and Indiana citizens.
Staff and scientists will be on hand to answer questions and discuss recent research on:
- Energy Resources: Learn how coal, coal-bed methane, oil and gas, and unconventional energy resources are fueling Indiana's economy
- Water: See how aquifer susceptibility and ground water protection, wetlands protection, and beach studies are essential to maintaining the high quality of life for Hoosiers
- Geological Hazards: See how IGS assesses land subsistence and earthquake risks
- Geological Mapping: Learn how IGS collects basic information to support all other geological research
- Online Services: See what's freely available to all Hoosiers online: GIS Atlas for Indiana, Coal Mine GIS, Petroleum GIS, Lake Rim GIS, publications and more
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GIS with a Mission
GISCorps is an entirely volunteer-operated program run by URISA, (Urban and Regional Information Systems Association).
GISCorps coordinates short term, volunteer-based GIS services to underprivileged communities. The group has
announced it will be posting newsletters with updates on its activities. The newsletter is online at
www.urisa.org/about/giscorps.
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2007 IGIC Membership Reminder
It's that time again. IGIC is now accepting applications for 2007 membership. IGIC members are helping make their community,
state and world a better place. Your tax-deductible donation makes it possible for IGIC to continue work on statewide
initiatives like the IndianaMap, outreach programs, standards development, and coordination efforts.
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
Network with other GIS professionals
Shape statewide GIS policies
Professional development activities
Monthly Indiana GIS newsletter
Discounted Software
Access to the GIS Community
Plus, members receive discounts on the 2007 GIS Conference registration.
Sign up or
renew your membership today to
take advantage of all membership has to offer.
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GIS Awards
Every year IGIC honors outstanding GIS projects and programs across the state. Know of a project that has made a
positive impact? Are you feeling particularly proud of one of your own accomplishments? Projects large and small
in all topic areas are eligible. Send in a nomination form - you can spread the word and possibly win an award for
yourself! Visit the
awards pages for more information.
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Student Contests for (Almost) All Ages
K-12 IndianaMap Poster Contest
The IndianaMap Poster Contest is a great way to introduce kids and young adults to digital maps and GIS.
All current Indiana K-12 students are eligible to enter by submitting a computer-generated map (preferably using GIS software).
Posters should answer a question using maps. For instance:
- Where are my relatives buried?
- What kinds of trees are in my backyard?
- Where would my family go in an emergency (fire stations, schools, hospitals)?
- Where are the local churches? What denominations?
PRIZES!!!
Target gift cards
GIS prize packages
Posters featured on www.igic.org
For information on free GIS software and data available at your local library, visit the IndianaMap website. The
GENI website (Geography Educators' Network of Indiana) also has resources
for teachers and students interested in geospatial technologies.
Get contest details and more information
College IndianaMap Poster Contest
All current full time undergraduate and graduate students from Indiana universities are invited to submit a poster
showing how GIS is being used. Students can take advantage of this opportunity to present a GIS Poster to the entire
Indiana GIS community. It could open the door to future job opportunities or even cash rewards.
PRIZES!!!
First Place: $250
Second Place: $150
Third Place: $100
The posters will be displayed during the 2007 Indiana GIS Conference, and pictures of the winning
posters will appear in the IGIC Newsletter.
Get contest details and more information
First Annual URISA Student Paper Competition
Are you an undergraduate, graduate, or Ph.D. student? Are you interested in a career using geographic information
systems, information technology, geospatial technology, planning or community development? If yes, your writing and
research should be recognized and shared with your peers. Submit a paper to the first annual student paper
competition sponsored by URISA, (Urban and Regional Information Systems Association).
Winning papers will be posted on the URISA website and announced through various URISA publications and
communications. URISA will award students cash prizes for best student authored papers. Winners will be
recognized at the URISA 2007 Annual Conference in Washington, DC, August 20-23, 2007.
PRIZES!!!
First Place: $500
Second Place: $300
Third Place: $150
The objective of the Competition is to challenge students to demonstrate development and effective use of
information systems in both their field of study and in the community.
Deadline for submissions is April 2, 2007. More information and detailed submission and formatting guidelines are available at
www.urisa.org/student_paper_competition
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Indiana Aerial Photography on Google
The 2005 statewide orthophotography is now in Google Maps and Google Earth!
Visit
www.google.com/maps to find your house (or your neighbor's) online.
Or go to
http://earth.google.com to download a free version of Google
Earth and see what all the fuss is about.
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4-H Grants Available
ESRI, in cooperation with the National 4-H Headquarters, the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension
Service/U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and American Forests announces two 2007 ESRI GIS Grants for 4-H to
support its geospatial outreach, education, and community involvement efforts. The goal of this program is to
foster and support the integration of GIS software in 4-H clubs.
Grant categories include an introductory grant for 4-H clubs new to GIS and an intermediate grant for those
4-H clubs that received previous ESRI 4-H grants and completed the grant requirements.
Application guidelines for this grant are accessible at
http://www.esri.com/grants/esri/2007_4h.html.
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Successful Response Starts with a Map:
Improving Geospatial Support for Disaster Management
A Report from the Committee on Planning for Catastrophe
"In the past few years the United States has experienced a series of disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005,
which have severely taxed and in many cases overwhelmed responding agencies. In all aspects of emergency management,
geospatial data and tools have the potential to help save lives, limit damage, and reduce the costs of dealing with
emergencies. Great strides have been made in the past four decades in the development of geospatial data and tools
that describe locations of objects on the Earth's surface and make it possible for anyone with access to the
Internet to witness the magnitude of a disaster.
However, the effectiveness of any technology is as much about the human systems in which it is embedded as
about the technology itself. This report [Successful Response Starts with a Map: Improving Geospatial Support for
Disaster Management] assesses the status of the use of geospatial data, tools, and infrastructure in disaster
management, and recommends ways to increase and improve their use. It explores emergency planning and response;
how geospatial data and tools are currently being used in this field; the current policies that govern their use;
various issues related to data accessibility and security; training; and funding. The report recommends significant
investments be made in training of personnel, coordination among agencies, sharing of data and tools, planning and
preparedness, and the tools themselves."
Read Online/Purchase Report
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Classes & Seminars
Introduction to GIS
Friday, January 26th, 1:00-3:30pm, Indiana State Library, History Reference Room, Indianapolis
FREE
Register
This seminar will introduce the power of geographic information systems (GIS) technology in a way that is clear and
meaningful to participants regardless of their technical background. The session is geared toward decision makers
interested in answering questions like 'What does GIS offer to the constituency that I serve?' and 'How can I
acquire and apply this technology in the most efficient and productive manner possible?'
Dave Coats, Associate Director of The Polis Center at IUPUI, will address these questions. He'll offer a wide range
of examples illustrating how GIS can be applied to understanding and managing community needs and challenges.
Keep it Moving with Maps: GIS Analysis in Transportation
February 16th, 1:00-3:30pm, Indiana State Library, History Reference Room, Indianapolis
FREE
Register
Presenters from the Indiana Department of Transportation will demonstrate innovative uses of GIS tools in
the areas of planning, operations support and environmental impact. GIS experts will demonstrate how basic,
out-of-the-box tools can be used to streamline analysis, manage costs and expedite project completion. Speakers include:
Kelly Myers…Using GIS Tools in Environmental Planning
Kelly Hrencher…Using GIS Analysis in the Vehicle Crash Record System
Krystal Cornett…Using GIS in INDOT Operations
Dereck Edwards (INDOT Consultant)…Using GIS in Reporting in INDOT's "Agile Assets" System
Joel Bump…Developing a GIS Snowplow Routing system
Bob Burns…Transportation Geocoding Needs
Using ArcMap Workshop
Wednesday, February 8th, 5:30-9:00pm
IUPUI, ICTC Room IT121, Indianapolis
Indiana University Students: FREE
General Public: $30
Thursday, March 1st, 5:30-9:00pm
IUB, Main Library, First Floor Information Commons Training Lab, Bloomington
Indiana University Students: FREE
General Public: $30
Register
ArcMap is a powerful desktop GIS application used for both GIS analysis and cartographic map production.
This hands-on workshop introduces users to the ArcMap interface as they perform fundamental GIS analyses
and build a complex map from scratch. Participants will learn how to display map features, edit geographic
data, work with tables, query and select geographic features, and create a print-quality map layout. This
intermediate workshop is designed for new or existing GIS users who want a jump start using a variety of
tools and analyses available from the ArcMap application. Send questions to neaton@indiana.edu.
Prerequisites: Basic Windows Computing Skills
Instructor: Nathan Eaton
Water, Water, Everywhere: Finding and Using Hydrology Data
April 16th, 1:00-3:30pm Indiana State Library, Room 401, Indianapolis
FREE
Register
This seminar features three speakers who will present on Indiana's hydrology data and GIS uses. Topics will include:
- Obtaining and using the National Hydrography Dataset
- Elevation-derived hydrography data
- Indiana's streamflow-gauging network
- Web-based streamflow applications
- Groundwater data in GIS-based analysis
- Incorporating land cover, elevation and soil data into hydrogeology models
Join Dave Nail and Scott Morlock of the U.S. Geological Survey, and Sally Letsinger of the Indiana Geological Survey to
learn how you can use GIS to estimate runoff potential; analyze conservation plans; calculate groundwater flow rates;
or predict how fast contaminants will move through a stream system.
Geo-Spatial Technologies in the K-12 Classroom
Thursday, May 3rd, 4:30-7:30pm, Indiana State Library, History Reference Room, Indianapolis
FREE
Register
Are you looking for ways to incorporate orienteering, GPS, GIS, aerial photography or satellite imagery into your
classroom? Join us for a quick journey through successful lessons and activities from educators throughout the state.
Connections to Indiana Academic Standards, resources, and organizations will be offered. Food will be provided, and
professional development points are available.
Project Management Methods for Making Credible Maps
Thursday, June 14th, 1:00-3:30pm, Indiana State Library, History Reference Room, Indianapolis
FREE
Register
How can you make maps that are convincing and reliable? How can you make sure that the knowledge you have is
passed on accurately? What can you do if your organization's mapping guru leaves? Cele Morris of the Northwest
Indiana Center for Data Analysis will guide you through data development practices for creating maps that mean
what they say, with accurate, credible data behind them, providing a greater return on your data investment.
Team Navigation!™ and Treasure Hunts!
Friday, July 13th, 1:00-3:30pm, Indiana State Library, History Reference Room, Indianapolis
FREE
Register
This unique presentation will engage participants in fun, practical ways of using maps as real navigation tools.
It will begin with a Treasure Hunt, using a Treasure Map and a secret puzzle to find a Treasure Chest!
Participants, lead by Jeff Coates of TrueNorth and Associates, will learn about:
- How you can easily make accurate maps using aerial photographs available on the internet
- How to read and use a topo map
- Fun interactive ways to introduce maps to others
- How to use map and compass together as a navigational tool
- More about the family sport of orienteering
- How to have a little fun actually navigating!
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