Introducingthe Conservation GeoPortal

Discover and Publish Conservation Maps and Data

A Shared Resource of the Conservation Commons

www.conservationmaps.org

The Conservation GeoPortal is the initial phase of the Conservation Basemap

and Atlas of Conservation

A collaborative effort to build, share, and communicate geospatial information for biodiversity conservation

Initial Conservation Basemap Partners

Problem Statement

• Conservation data and maps are scattered and sequestered across thousands of groups and individuals

• The availability and reliability of data for most places and themes are generally unknown

• We lack detailed, complete, reliable data for many places and themes

Components of Basemap Vision

• Basemap - core datalayers collaboratively developed, managed, and peer reviewed

• Atlas(es) - digital and print versions for different audiences and purposes

• Catalog - comprehensive searchable catalog of GIS data and live map services (GeoPortal)

Executed under the principles of the Conservation Commons

www.conservationcommons.org

PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSERVATION COMMONS

Open AccessThe Conservation Commons promotes free and open access to data,

information and knowledge for all conservation purposes.

Mutual BenefitThe Conservation Commons welcomes and encourages participants toboth use resources and to contribute data, information and knowledge.

Rights and ResponsibilitiesContributors to the Conservation Commons have full right to attribution

for any uses of their data, information, or knowledge, and the right to ensure that the original integrity of their contribution to the Commons is

preserved. Users of the Conservation Commons are expected to comply, in good faith, with terms of uses specified by contributors.

Endorsers of the Conservation CommonsAmerican Museum of Natural HistoryARKive: The Wildscreen Trust (UK) BioNET-INTERNATIONALBirdLife InternationalBritish PetroleumCentre for Sustainable Watersheds (Canada)Chevron-TexacoChevron-Texaco Specific Endorsement LetterCIFORCONABIO - MexicoConservation Biology Institute, USAConservation International CRIA - Brazil DIDG Information Systems Ltd. (Australia)Earth Conservation ToolboxEnvironmental Education Center - Russia "Zapoveniks"Erawan Interactive: Digital PublishingESRI – Environmental Systems Research InstituteETI BioInformaticsFauna & Flora InternationalFriends of Nature - BoliviaGBIF - Global Biodiversity Information Facility Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP)Global Transboundary Protected Areas Network of IUCNGreenFactsINBio, National Biodiversity Institute of Costa RicaInformation Center for the Environment (ICE), U. of California, DavisINSnet, Internetwork for SustainabilityInstituto de Biología, U.N.A.M. MexicoInstituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von HumboldtInternational Center for Himalayan Biodiversity (link unavailable for now)International Commission on Zoological NomenclatureInvasive Species Specialist Group of IUCN/SSC (Species Survival Comm.)IUCN - The World Conservation Union My Nature (based in Romania)

NASA National Geographic Society Nature Protection Trust of SeychellesNature Serve PALNet - Protected Areas Learning Network (from WCPA of IUCN)Philippine Society for the Protection of Animals (Web link not available)Red HatRegional Centre for Devel. Cooperation ), Centre for Forestry and Governance, IndiaRéseau Africain pour la conservation de la Mangrove (RAM)Rio TintoSalim Ali Centre for Ornithilogy and Natural History (SACON-India)Shell ExplorationSociety for Conservation GISSouth African National Biodiversity Institute - SANBI The African Conservation FoundationThe Big Sky Conservation InstituteThe Natural History Museum, LondonThe Nature Conservancy The Rainforest AllianceThe Smithsonian InstitutionThe World Conservation Union, PakistanThe Zoological Society of LondonTRAFFIC InternationalTROPI-DRY: forest research network (based in U.Alberta) (Web site NEW)UNDPUNEP WCMC UNESCOUniversity of Maryland - Global Land Cover Facility Wetlands of India (hosted by SACON-India)Wild Bird Club of the PhilippinesWildlife Conservation SocietyWorld Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA of IUCN)WWF BrazilWWF International

Conservation GeoPortal

• Catalog of conservation GIS data and maps

• Stores metadata records that describe and link to GIS data and maps online elsewhere

• Can harvest existing metadata repositories

• Includes built-in Map Viewer to display and combine live internet map services

• Collaboratively developed and maintained

What is the Conservation GeoPortal?

FTP

Data Servers

Users

GIS Data

GIS Web Services PortalsGeoPortal

Searc

h Cata

log an

d Find

Publish GIS data and services

Connect and Use

Download and use

GISData

GISData

Data providers control access to their data

The GeoPortal does not store the data

www.conservationmaps.org

Conservation GeoPortal Home Page

Advanced Search

Search Results – Downloadable Data

Search Results – Live Maps

Built-in Map Viewer

Create, Save, and Share Maps

Data Channels for Selected Content

Terrestrial, Marine and Freshwater Content

Partner Channels

Available to groups that invest funds or labor

e.g. TNC Channel

Personal Account to Save and Contribute

Upload or Create Metadata Records

Manage Metadata Records

View Edit Delete Download Check Onlink

Register Metadata Repository

Online Help System

Metadata Resources

GeoPortal Project Status

• Designed by team from 14 orgs

• Version 1.0 Sponsored by TNC & NGS

• Developed and hosted by ESRI

• Public launch in September (via listservs)

• Content Campaign underway

• Recruiting Partners and Channel Stewards

• Editorial Team established

GeoPortal Design Team

• Ned Horning - AMNH• Kellee Koenig - CI• John Musinsky - CI• Charles Convis - ESRI• CJ Cote - ESRI• Richard Lawrence - ESRI• Tom Hammond - IUCN• Lynn Kutner - NatureServe• Lori Scott - NatureServe• Allen Carroll - NGS• Dan Cole - Smithsonian • Ryan Valdez - Smithsonian

• Frank Biasi - TNC• Danielle Conboy - TNC• Jon Fisher - TNC• Tyrone Guthrie - TNC• Diane Davies - UMD-Geography• Saurabh Channan - UMD-GLCF• Paul Davis - UMD-GLCF• Ian May - UNEP-WCMC• Tim Bean - WCS• Jessica Forrest - WCS• Susan Minnemeyer - WRI• Nasser Olwero - WWF-US

Thanks everyone!!!

How can you Participate?

• Use the site to find data and maps

• Publish your data and maps

• Provide feedback on the site

• Discuss and promote the site

• Help others contribute metadata

• Become a Channel Steward

Channel Stewardship

• Stewards are knowledgeable about a conservation topic, especially the data and map services available for it

• Channel Steward Responsibilities: – Discover the best data and map services in the theme

– Encourage data providers to post metadata (or allow harvesting)

– Organize channel content

– Attach metadata records to the channel

• Stewardship can be shared by several individuals

• Channel Editor tool used to edit and organize content

• Channels exist as XML files that are checked in and out

Channel Editor Tool

Issues Being Addressed

• Institutional home: Administer funds and staff

• Core staff: Executive Director/Editor, Administrator, and Channel Steward Coordinator

• Core teams: Steering, Editorial, and Training

• Sustainability model:1. Philanthropy and large grants

2. Participatory investment model (i.e. Partners)

3. Sponsorship

4. Online donations

Conservation Basemap Steering Committee

• Charles Besancon – UNEP-WCMC• Frank Biasi – The Nature Conservancy• Allen Carroll – National Geographic• Patrick Halpin – Duke University/OBIS• Tom Hammond – IUCN• Roger Sayre – USGS• Larry Sugarbaker – NatureServe• recruiting others…

Editorial and Curatorial Issues

• Metadata review and approval

• Trusted contributors

• Channel creation, naming, organization

• Channel Steward recruitment, training, support

• Site design and enhancement

• Harvesting process and policies

• Metadata training and support

Hosting Data and Map Services

• Many groups need help posting their data online

• They cannot afford map server administration

• Some free hosting services exist: – Agency map and file servers– ConserveOnline workspaces– Regional GIS support centers– Universities

– others?..

• We are trying to identify solutions. Any ideas?...

Planned Enhancements• Major Content Campaign over next 6 months

• Metadata training and peer support networks

• Discussion groups and blogs

• Peer review and rating capabilities

• Experimental applications (GeoWiki, 3D Viewer)

• Begin work on Conservation Basemap layers:– Protected Areas– Ecosystems– Conservation Project Areas– ?..

Questions, Ideas, and Discussion…

Use and contribute to the Conservation GeoPortal!

www.conservationmaps.org