Sections

GPS for Beginners

Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Building 1, Room 201

Date: 11/24/2014 from 08:30 am to 03:30 pm

PLEASE NOTE: This course is worth 6 Continuing Logger Education hours (Environment) for the Master Timber Harvest designation.

Brochure

Brochure with mail-in registration form

About the Program

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is an important tool for natural resource managers. Wildlife biologists use GPS to document the location of nests, survey points, and other critical habitats. Foresters use GPS to delineate treatment areas and develop standard geographic information systems (GIS) databases for roads and other management-related infrastructure. Fisheries
biologists and hydrologists use GPS to map stream systems. Recreation resource managers use GPS to map trails systems. A variety of professionals use GPS in conjunction with wildfire monitoring and suppression activities. All natural resource managers, along with the general public, use GPS to navigate. While most people think of GPS in terms of the receivers that they
use, GPS is actually a system of satellites, receivers, control stations, base stations, and software for navigation and mapping the earth's features.
This short, six-hour course will:

Briefly introduce the basic features of satellite-based navigation systems of the U.S. and other countries

Discuss the sources of error and the common methods used to assess data quality in forested conditions

Provide introductory experience with GPS data collection using consumer-grade and mapping-grade GPS receivers

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

Understand the basic components of GPS

Be able to understand many of the common terms associated with GPS (e.g., PDOP)

Think critically about GPS error sources and data quality

Understand how to collect data with a GPS receivers

Who Should Attend?

Natural resource management professionals and realtors who have little to no background with GPS, yet have an interest in learning about the basics of GPS and the accuracy of the technology when used in forested conditions. Upper level managers who need to communicate GPS-related requests with field personnel may find the course useful as well. Realtors who are involved in the evaluation of rural land and timber should also attend.

Registration Fees

The fee for this course is $195, which includes instructional materials, one luncheon.

Format

The course involves lecture presentations that provide an overview of satellite based navigational systems, sources of error, accuracy, and planning. In addition, participants will briefly use two or more GPS receivers to gain an understanding of how they operate. The material will be presented in a logical manner, from a description of satellite-based navigational systems, to the equipment involved, to field data collection procedures. Handouts will be
provided to summarize the material presented.

Parking and Directions

A visitor parking deck is located just north of the Georgia Center for Continuing Education at 1197 S Lumpkin St, Athens, GA 30605. Parking is
$10.00 per day.

Special Services

If you require special services or dietary considerations, please contact Ingvar Elle at 706-583-0566 or e-mail him at ingvar@uga.edu prior to November 10, 2014.