Winter 2006/2007 |
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GIS and Society |
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The following is a series of updates on the activities Esri is actively engaged in related to GIS and society. Since its founding, Esri has long been committed to helping conservation groups and education at all levels, knowing that GIS can be the key to many environmental and social solutions. Society for Conservation GIS
GISCorpsGISCorps is an organization associated with the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) that provides GIS support during times of emergency. It has contributed greatly by organizing GIS users/volunteers. Esri believes in this organization and has helped by providing financial and technical assistance. GISCorps was presented a Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) award at the 2006 Esri International User Conference. Conservation Commons
Esri is helping build the Conservation GeoPortal and fully endorses the vision and principles of the Conservation Commons. We encourage other organizations to join the Commons and help the conservation community develop and share data, tools, and approaches to support conservation and sustainable development worldwide. Education
Bringing geography back into mainstream education using GIS as a new medium is important. To combat geographic illiteracy, Esri has joined the National Geographic Society and other leaders from the business, nonprofit, and education communities to create My Wonderful World (MyWonderfulWorld.org), a five-year public-engagement campaign that aims to motivate parents and educators to increase the geographic resources available to students aged 8 to 17 at home and in the classroom. Esri also supports thousands of colleges and universities around the world with software and a variety of educational materials (books, datasets, curriculum materials, and technical support). The purpose of these activities is to assist the academic world in both advancing geographic science research and building a professional workforce that is capable of understanding and advancing the geospatial field. GIS DayThis past November 15, Esri, together with the Association of American Geographers, the National Geographic Society, and others, once again celebrated GIS Day. This was an opportunity for our users to share what they are doing and what GIS is really all about, not only with kids but also with colleagues in other professions. Esri has assisted in these efforts in a variety of ways. See "GIS Day Brings New Dimension in Geography to Communities Worldwide." See also "GIS Is Providing a New Medium for Understanding." |