Abstract
4-H and Fish and Wildlife Service GIS Mapping Project
Track: Teaching with GIS Across the Curriculum
Authors: Joy Purkeypile, Susan Hoskins, Joe Courneya, Jay Staker
Four Land Grant Universities partnered with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and 4-H youth to engage 4-H members in GIS mapping projects. Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, and New York teams did GIS mapping projects with FWS sites. Data was used for habitat protection, conservation and restoration and other uses. 4-H youth partnered with FWS on researching issues that have relevance, impact, and interest for the youth and FWS. Both process and outcomes of the project were evaluated. Presenters share lessons learned designed to lead to an increase in the number of young people who pursue degrees and careers such as wildlife biology, natural resource management, science, community planning, recreation, and agriculture. Competencies will focus on issues of partnering, preparing adult partner for working with youth, and finding the common ground between partners and youth. GIS competencies will focus on hardware and software solutions and how problems were solved.