Dates:

September 12^th – 15^th  and October 17^th – 20^th 2006

Venue:

Trinidad

How will participants benefit?

Participants will gain an understanding of the principles and practice of mapping terrestrial and marine natural resources, using a combination of field methods and computer-based tools.

Participants will develop skills in gathering and integrating geographic information from a variety of sources including popular knowledge, published data and data from resource monitoring and habitat surveys.

The course will provide practical demonstrations of creating and editing new maps from original information rather than focusing on the use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) to manipulate existing archived data and maps. The computer applications used will be compatible with any GIS applications with which participants may already be familiar.

There are many skilled GIS practitioners in the region but it is evident that the GIS training that is available is largely focused on the use of computer-based tools to manage and manipulate existing information. Less attention is being given to developing the skills needed to gather new information in the field and to generate new maps that are needed to support GIS-based decision making.

The Institute’s experience in training has shown that while expert GIS capacity exists in all islands it tends to be centralised and frequently does not extend to the organisations responsible for resource management in the field where it is needed. This is demonstrated, for example, by the lack of maps of marine habitats in the region, particularly coral reefs, other than the few that have been generated by external technical assistance projects. Recent developments in affordable mapping and GIS software and differential satellite positioning systems mean that these powerful tools are now available to any organisation or community group that could benefit from using geographic information. 

This course is part of an ongoing regional programme of training in participatory mapping by the Institute and its Associates. Recent and current activities include courses on mapping forest cover, mapping habitats and resource use in Marine Protected Areas, establishment of a simple community-managed GIS and training of school students in support of local development activities.

The availability of affordable technology does not imply a dependence on technical data alone. The Institute’s research, such as the People and the Sea Project, has demonstrated the effectiveness of using these new tools with a broad range of stakeholders to develop an information base for resource management that integrates research, monitoring and popular knowledge. The rapid growth of participatory mapping and PGIS as distinct disciplines attests to their relevance. A review of the literature, (http://www.iapad.org) however, shows that the Caribbean is a relative newcomer to the field but the experiences from Africa and Asia show how much the region can benefit.

Who should participate?

The training will be relevant to planners and resource managers from government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community-based organisations (CBOs) who need to build their skills in gathering, integrating and interpreting geographic information.

Experience with managing computer files is essential and some experience in reading maps will be an advantage. It will not be necessary to have extensive experience with GIS systems. The workshop is designed for people who want to be able to make and use maps as tools for resource management, and to gather and share information with other resource users, managers and community groups.

Objectives:

1. To provide an overview of cartography and its relevance to understanding and managing the use of natural resources;
2. To give participants practical skills in gathering geographic information and creating maps as tools for resource management;
3. To demonstrate the benefits of involving stakeholders in the sharing of knowledge from a range of sources and the use of mapping and GIS tools to facilitate the process.

Outline of topics:

The following topics will be covered:

·    The basics of cartography, map projections and datums, map scales;

·    Integrating geographic information from printed maps, aerial photographs and satellite imagery;

·    The relevance and facilitation of stakeholder participation in compiling geographic information;

·    How to use GIS technology in participatory processes and in the redistribution of information at technical and non-technical levels;

·    The Global Positioning System (GPS), configuring hand-held receivers to local map systems and enhancing accuracy, use of GPS data for mapping, options for enhancing precision of GPS data;

·    How to plan field work, data recording and management, storage and archiving.

·    The compilation of computerized and printed thematic maps.

Approach:

This two-part course will draw on case studies and lessons learned from the Institute’s research, training and technical assistance projects as well as other relevant examples from within or outside the region.

It is designed in two parts as experience has shown that it is more effective to give participants an opportunity to practice new skills learned from an initial session and reconvene with a greater understanding of the subject.

The course will include lectures and practical exercises. There will be an emphasis on field work using a site where ongoing work will benefit from the exercises.

Costs & funding:

The total costs of participation for both Modules in US dollars is $3,400.00

Please note that this is a national workshop and does not include costs for airfare, hotel, or per diem for out-of-country participants.  However, CANARI can make the flight reservations for participants who require assistance with travel arrangements.

Facilitators:

This workshop is being coordinated and facilitated by the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI). It will be facilitated by Allan Smith.

Click here for an Application form

For more information contact Polin Sankar-Persad at: