Intergrated Community Based Science Using GIS to study

Natural Resoureces

University of KentuckyTracy Farmer Center for Sustainability

and the EnvironmentJune 17, 2009

Who we are (TFISE)

Mission:  The Tracy Farmer Center is the University of Kentucky's focal interdisciplinary center for the comprehensive integration of research, education, and public service. Focusing on Research:  faculty support, invasive species network, GIS, energy, internships, conferences.Outreach:  conferences and communication, BPGC, Lexington and Future of PlanningEducation:  CBS began with 1 project and 4 teachers to about 15 projects and 50 teachers and over 2,500 students.  Projects focus on community questions and involve GIS, GPS and 3D imaging.

Our Partners

• University of Kentucky Colleges of Agriculture, Education, Arts and Science

• Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

• Commonwealth Office of Technology

• Kentucky Schools

• Kentucky Community and Technical College System Interactive Digital Center

What is Community Based Science?

• Real world science in Middle and High school classes in Kentucky.

• Students actively involved in data collection, analysis and presentations.

Our Projects

• Invasive Species– Lady Beetles– Zebra Mussels/Asian Clams– Pasture Evaluation– Kudzu/Wooly Adelgids

• Elk Habitats• Outdoor Classrooms• NPS Pollution• Land use• Parks Inventory• Food Sources• Soils

How the projects work

• Field studies• Data collection• Using GPS to record locations• Map reading /aerial photos• Map making using ArcGIS• Ground truthing• Presentations

The benefits of using GIS

• Information capture

• Data Storage and analysis

• Visualization

• Geospatial analysis tools– Basic map reading skills– Network analysis– Career opportunities– Environmental

Our Tools

• GPS Units

• GIS/Arc Explorer

• Kentucky Topo maps

• 3D Modeling/Visualization

• Infrared technology

• Commonwealth Map of Kentucky

• Various data sources

Kudzu Survey in Leslie County

LCHS

Kudzu

GPS points plotted. Area of plot measured using Terain Navigator program.

GPS points plotted. Different groups of students did different plots in a park in Hyden, KY.

GPS points plotted. Notice all four corners this time.

Field work at the park – measuring area of kudzu coverage.

More “ground truthing” of kudzu.

Asian Lady Beetle study – Fayette Co.

38o 08’ 00” N

38o 07’ 30” N

84o 30’ 30” W84o 31’ 00” W

84o 30’ 00” W

Presentation of findings at KSTA Nov. 2006

Pasture Evaluation – Jessamine Co.

Pasture Evaluation – WJHS

Profession Development – Elk Habitat Survey – Danville, Harlan Co.,

Jackson Ind.

Changing the batteries on the GPS unit

Collecting data – blood sample for

brain worm parasite

Elk calf released with new ear tags

Recording data

GPS use at Middle Creek Civil War

Battlefield, Floyd Co.

Water testing at Glenn’s Creek, Woodford Co.

ArcGIS training, summer 2008

Brian RadcliffeProgram InstructorTracy Farmer Institute for Sustainability and the Environmentbrian.radcliffe@uky.edu

Questions?