Outreach & Extension: Mapping & Geospatial Technologies

Geospatial Technologies — Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning System (GPS) and Remote Sensing — have become widely accepted as tools for inventorying natural resources, planning land use, managing growth, and creating livable communities. Maryland Sea Grant Extension received a grant from Maryland Space Grant Consortium to examine geospatial technology needs within Maryland Cooperative Extension, including the appointment of a Geospatial Extension Specialist to assist Maryland citizens and Extension employees as they incorporate geospatial technologies in their decision-making processes. While Maryland has been a leader in the use of geospatial technology, rural and coastal communities and counties that face dynamic changes in land cover, but have a limited capacity for using geographic data and tools, would benefit from Cooperative Extension-based GIS education.