Visualize Data With Maps

Leslie Pelch

VT Center for Geographic Information

2012

Cathedral Square Housing

VT Clean Energy Dev. Fund Projects

Modern Computer Mapping Uses Software and Geospatial

Databases• How is map information translated into digital

form and read by a computer? The geographic information system (GIS) must be able to store information about:– The geometry: the shape and location of the

objects – The attributes: the descriptive information

known about the objects, normally displayed on a map through symbology and labels.

Geometry and Attributes

What Tools Are Available to Help YOU Map?

• Interactive Mapping Web Sites – Google Maps etc.– ArcGIS Online

• Free GIS Software like QGIS (Quantum GIS – qgis.org)

• Software with a cost like ArcGIS (esri.com)

• Specialized Software designed for your use case or field

What Training is Available to Help YOU Map?

• VCGI Training– Intro to GIS and GPS in the summer– Webinars

• UNH Training (http://extension.unh.edu/GISGPS/)– Some offered in VT (Like Intro to ArcGIS 10)– Many more offered in NH, including border towns

• College/University Classes– UVM– Lyndon State– Middlebury– Green Mountain College

• Online classes (esri.com)• ESRI Training (esri.com or occasionally through VCGI)

What Resources Are Available to Help YOU Map?

• VCGI– Free, public data (data warehouse)– Free interactive mapping viewer (map center)– Free advice (802-882-3002)– Free Consultants list (community

resources/publications)– Fee for service help with request for proposals (RFPs)

and grant applications (tech specs) (802-882-3003)

What Resources Are Available to Help YOU Map?

• Regional Planning Commissions (vapda.org) – VCGI has page with links, names, phone numbers!

• Academics – find someone doing or interested in doing the mapping for your project – Interns (soon to be a page at the VCGI Web site)!

• Map Together - The MapTogether project provides free map-related training and tools for community and nonprofit groups around the world. http://maptogether.org/

• GIS Consultants ($) – VCGI Maintains a list

Where to start?

• Connect with the VT GIS/Mapping Community!– VGIS-L: An Email Listserv– Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Linked In– Attend Roundtables (conferences)

Contact Information

• Leslie Pelch, Outreach Coordinator• David Brotzman, Executive Director• VCGI• 882-3002• Lesliep@vcgi.org• www.vcgi.org