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GIS Technology at RTI

Geographic Information System technology is being used in a variety of applications throughout the world. At RTI we are looking at ways to use GIS to help rural landowners by improving older forestry practices with newer, more efficient techniques. Here you will find some of the tools and applications that we are creating and using.

  • For some information on GIS and its relation to map making, visit our Desktop Mapping Information for Resource Managers page. The foundation for this page was based on Paul Pingrey's Digital Grove, and was used with his permission. Digital Grove is no longer online, but the information is now available out of New Brunswick, Canada at ForestPal.com.
  • To provide Pacific Northwest landowners with access to the latest GIS technology, RTI has been developing an online mapping system. View a map showing Washington and Oregon log buyers, Lumber Mills, Pulp & Paper Mills and Co-Generation Facilities using ArcExplorer or ArcIMS. The data on these maps is not completely verified and is placed here as an example application of the types of interactive maps that will be on this website. Check out the beginnings of the RTI Map Machine!

Streaming Video!

ESRM 250
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
in Forest Resources

ESRM 250 introduces the technical use of geographic information systems (GIS) in natural resource management and earth sciences. The course is directed at giving students an understanding of, and experience with, the practical use of GIS software, hardware, and data. Lab exercises and course projects will use real-world datasets.

GIS layers

 

  • Pegger - a GIS based automated preliminary road design tool for quickly evaluating road location alternatives

 

 The Preliminary Road Design Tool - Pegger

The Department of Natural Resources Small Forest Landowner Office

 RTI worked with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources Small Forest Landowner Office to develop a statewide Non-industrial private landowner database. The SFLO office has been required to generate reports for the Washington State LeGISlature detailing the status of non-industrial forest lands.

RTI is also in the process of developing a free Washington State GIS dataset for use by non-industrtial forest landowners and their consultants to assist in land management and planning. This dataset currently includes:

  • Townships and Sections, hydrology, roads and elevation models
  • Future plans include the addition of soils, wetlands, rain-on-snow zones, precipitation and many more...
Statewide GIS coverages available for free
 
School of Forest Resources
USDA Forest Service State & Private Forestry
WSU Cooperative Extension
The Rural Technology Home Page is provided by the School of Forest Resources at the University of Washington College of the Environment. For more information, please contact the Rural Technology Initiative, University of Washington Box 352100 Seattle, WA 98195, (206) 543-0827. © 2000-2004, University of Washington, Rural Technology Initiative, including all photographs and images unless otherwise noted. To view the www.ruraltech.org privacy policy, click here.
Last Updated 8/6/2009 12:58:55 PM