Conservation GIS networkMeeting #1

28th October 2013Castle Inn

Key themes that emerged...

Conservation GIS group

Learn about each other's organisations

Training andlearningbetween us

Informationsharing Training

externally

Collaborationfor projects

A network ofcontacts

Mix of technicaland socialactivities

What do you want for yourself?• Make connections with a larger GIS user group• Networking/contacts• Better insight into the sorts of GIS uses/applications in other organisations• Increased awareness of applied GIS activities/innovation• How people use GIS and how to use GIS more efficiently• GIS training• Awareness of developments in open source e.g. FOSS4G• Skills in open source GIS and python coding• Learn new things• To not loose the little I know!• Advice• Discuss new approaches• Ideas for analysis/tools• Ideas for projects• Collaboration on projects/with other organisations

What do you want for your organisation?

• A place to advertise GIS jobs• Contacts• Updates on development/growth/uses of GIS in different organisations• Showcase what organisations do to identify collaborations• Ideas for collaboration• Ideas for projects• Presentations to our students• Project ideas for our students• Improvement in spatial data quality/management for conservation e.g. like

INSPIRE• Keep updated in new ways of analysing protected areas success

What do you want for the GIS network?

• Entertainment budget• CCI/CCF funding• Workshop budget e.g. R training• Web-based group site (facebook/linkedin...)• Get in touch with people facing similar situations• Community of practice• Have fun and be nerdy!• Information exchange• Experience exchange• Integration with wider conservation network (yet still maintain GIS/RS ties)• Collaborative opportunities• All GIS platforms – Arc, MapInfo, QGIS• All scales – global and local• Discussion/info on open source/open data• Updates on new projects or data• Keep an eye on new tools, data, resources and share as a group• Teach more people about the uses (& limitations of GIS)

What activities should the network organise?

• Introduce challenges in GIS to discuss (same data – what can people come up with)• GIS workshops – techniques, policy, demos• Expertise sharing presentations – different topic each time• Project presentations & feedback sessions• Information exchange – coding, tips, tools, methods• Training sessions e.g. Python, QGIS, PostGIS• Training/mentoring in GIS techniques (for the partly trained)• Talks (internal & external)• Map swapping event• Quizzes• Pub nights• Each organisation to chair/organise• Keep it light & social• Regular meetings

Any other ideas?• A roadmap/plan to achieve goals e.g. 1 year plan• Develop a mission statement for the group outlining our vision• Regular get-togethers• Could split meetings – 1st half technical, 2nd half social• Training courses from group members• I’m a beginner• Change up the pubs, pubs on the south side!• No, the Castle Inn is great!• This event was great – more things like this• MORE!