Environmental education is key to reaching the public about environmental issues. Increasing the public's interest in issues increases the likelihood they will take action to prevent degradation of ecosystems and habitats. Rhode Island has a variety of ecosystems including deciduous forests and sensitive marine ecosystems. Mapping local education centers will encourage the public to seek out a center near them and learn more about the environment they live in.
Objectives
- To provide a comprehensive guide of education centers around Rhode Island
- To differentiate between centers in different ecosystems
Methodology
I will first acquire data on environmental education centers to create a shape file of points with an attribute table. I will then create my final map in WebGIS software online so the map will include pop-ups that display information on each center.
Data Sources
- Southern New England base map
- WebGIS RI terrestrial habitats
- Addresses to all education centers
Work Plan
Below is my anticipated weekly work plan:
2/15- finalize proposal
2/22- compile list of education centers and addresses
3/1- research centers and compile additional data in excel file
3/8- finalize research and table
3/15- convert addresses to lat, long coordinates and plot points
3/22- add excel file to layer as attribute table
3/29-upload center layer and create map on WebGIS
4/5- format attribute pop-ups
4/12- finalize details and work out bugs
4/19- prepare for poster presentations
Deliverables
Map of RI environmental education centers including pop-ups with additional information on each center including organization, mission/goals, the focus habitat, pictures, and links.
