Abstract

Creating, Sharing, and Using GIS for the Salinas River Headwaters
Track: Conservation
Authors: David Yun, Douglas Piirto, Tom Mastin

"Dreaming The Salinas [a project of Ecologistics] is
an innovative and collaborative region-based restoration and conservation initiative to reconcile nature and cultures." The Salinas River provides water to cities and highly productive agricultural lands along its corridor. Once a mighty river that supported many life forms, it is now degraded due to heavy water use and non-point pollution. Managing the Salinas River is complex given the wide variety of stakeholders, users, and issues. Resolution of these issues requires better geospatial data and interpretation which will improve communication and trust between stakeholders and lead to better informed decisions. Students, faculty, and staff from the Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences Department at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo performed a pilot study to create, share, and use GIS for the Salinas River headwaters. GIS provides facts to make informed decisions, gain concurrence, resolve conflicts, and "Dreaming The Salinas."