Increasingly, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing—the mapping of features using imagery acquired either from an aircraft or a satellite—have become important tools for decision making and the applied management of natural resources. Many federal agencies and NGOs rely on GIS and satellite data for their work and are starting to produce their own spatial databases. However, there are few training opportunities for wildlife managers to learn the application of GIS in everyday management situations. We offer courses for wildlife managers that will provide hands-on experience for the collection of data, GIS analysis of the data, and map-making using the latest ESRI and ERDAS software.

Courses are taught at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia. SCBI Front Royal is located at the north entrance of the Shenandoah Park approximately 70 miles west of Washington, D.C. Pick-up from Washington Dulles Airport can be arranged.

2012 Offerings

This fall, we are offering a two-week 2012 course in Spatial Ecology, Geospatial Analysis and Remote Sensing for Conservation (October 29-November 9, 2012) in conjunction with the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation. More information and course application.

Check back at this page for further updates about 2013 Conservation GIS course offerings by the SCBI Conservation GIS Lab. We hope to be offering a new course in Open Source GIS by early to mid 2013.