The next Landsat satellite in the series, the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (to be called Landsat 8 once it's in safely in orbit), is on schedule to launch on February 11 from Vandenberg AIr Force Base in southern California.

http://ldcm.nasa.gov/

See http://spatialreserves.wordpress.com/2013/01/13/abu-dhabi-environment-agency-launches-enviro-portal/  .

"As we state in our book The GIS Guide to Public Domain Data, areas around the world where not long ago it was very difficult for data users to obtain data are now opening up some of their data archives.  One example is in Abu Dhabi, whose government is an extensive user of GIS technology.  The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi recently launched an "Enviro-Portal", announced during the Esri Middle East and Africa User Conference on GIS Technology solutions at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition.  This portal (http://enviroportal.ead.ae) offers access to environmental data such as geology, soils, flora, fauna, marine habitats, and protected zones within Abu Dhabi.

Some of the links offer historical data back to the 1990s.  The site is available both in Arabic and in English.   The "browse" function offers a straightforward way of offering the data, similar to a view of folders on one's own computer.   The metadata on the site is quite useful, and the data areavailable in a variety of formats, depending on the data type, from design files to shapefiles and geodatabases.  On the "Download" tab, data users can download data by providing an email address.  The site also offers a map gallery, from which the data user can search by theme but it also offers very helpful searching by polygon, line, or point buffer, shown in the image below.

As with any data portal, unique features of this portal require the data user to spend some time getting comfortable with the features and options.  However, the wealth of data themes here makes it worth spending time with, and for a fascinating and rapidly changing part of the planet."

LIDAR, Geology and Landslides

Please join us on January 17th at 5 PM to learn more about how natural resource professionals use LIDAR in design, analysis, and mapping. Do you have a basic understanding of LIDAR data and the vocabulary…. bare earth, DEM, hillshade, point clouds, first returns etc.?  Can LIDAR data be used to investigate spatial and temporal patterns?  Do you use LIDAR and want to learn and discuss more?

Engineering Geologist Bill Burns will be leading this month’s discussion. Bill works for the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industry (DOGAMI) and he has been using LIDAR for years to help analyze and map landslide hazard zones, Missoula floods, and other geographic features.  Come learn more about Bill’s uses of LIDAR data in the earth sciences and how you as an ecologist can become more acquainted with this “relative new” and untapped resource. In 2002 Lefsky et al. said that ecologists will be very interested in LIDAR because it directly measures canopies in 3D and can accurately estimates vegetation structure attributes.  The data is most likely available for projects within the Portland metro area, are you ready to use the data?

http://www.oregongeology.org/pubs/fs/landslide-inv-factsheet.pdf
http://www.oregongeology.org/pubs/ims/p-ims-036.htm

The meeting location is at the River East Center.

Address: 1515 SE Water Ave. The main doors are only open until 6:30. If your late phone a friend to run down and open the door.

We will be meeting in the Mount Adams room on the 3rd floor. Since this is not a retail bar you will need to bring your own beverage to imbibe with the rest of us!

An interesting article / research study that used Google Earth imagery to find sites that were used for food production within the city.  

To read the article:  http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/01/08/168895084/finding-chicago-s-hidden-farms

Late notice, just a bit later than my usual notice, but tomorrow is the second Wednesday of the month.

So it is time to gather and sip on some ales.

Jan 9th - 5:30 ' ish

Green Dragon
928 Southeast 9th Avenue
pdxgreendragon.com

Opening Date: Monday, January 7th, 2013
Closing Date: Friday, February 8th, 2013 4:30 PM
Starting Date: Around Monday, March 25th, 2013

West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District is a state-designated special district formed to conserve and protect soil and water resources for people, wildlife and the environment. The
district is governed by a seven-member elected board of directors. The District encompasses all of Multnomah County west of the Willamette River and includes all of Sauvie Island.

FIELD and GIS INTERNSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

General Summary
West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District is hiring one limited-duration, at will, non-exempt, part-time Field Intern for the spring and summer of 2013 (approximately April
–September). This internship is designed to provide experience in the areas of water quality, invasive species, habitat restoration, forestry and agricultural land uses.

Work will be split evenly between field work and office work. Field work will include data collection,
inventories, and planning involving the “areas” listed above. Office work will involve mapping with ArcGIS with some technical writing and office communication. Candidates should have a good understanding of GIS and be able to create shape files and produce maps. The person filling
the position should also possess knowledge/experience in the following areas:

- Native and invasive plant identification
- Field work & basic surveying
- Public speaking
- Report & article writing
- Project management
- Data entry and management
- And have the ability to use personal vehicle and clean driving record

Qualified candidates must be able to work independently and as a part of a team; and be able to communicate with project leaders.

Job Duration and Schedule
Most work weeks will be comprised of 2-3 full days (8 hours each) which amount to total of 40 hours for a two week span (average of 20 hours per week). Some flexibility will be allowed for starting and ending dates to accommodate school schedules. Work schedule flexibility will be based
on workloads and the needs of the intern.

Essential Functions of the Job
_ Proficiency using GIS software.
_ Understands, interprets, and uses various maps, aerial photography and soils information.
_ Identifying both native and invasive plant species.
_ Assists with surveying projects and field inventories.
_ Maintains positive, cooperative relationships with co-workers and conducts work responsibilities in a professional manner.

Other Duties and Responsibilities
_ Meets regularly with Internship Program Supervisor.
_ Assists with landowner outreach.
_ Participates in office meetings with District board members, District employees, and other agency employees to coordinate and prioritize work.
_ Assists with educational activities to inform public on natural resource issues, water quality, and
conservation. This may include workshops, seminars, fairs, shows and conventions.
_ Communicates and works directly with property owners and operators
through face-to-face contact; telephone, written, or email correspondence.
_ Performs other duties as assigned by the District Board.

Qualifications
_ A student working toward a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with the major course work in natural sciences, natural resource management, soils, water quality, agriculture
sciences, or a related natural sciences discipline is preferred.
_ Experience in collecting field data and maintaining field notes is required.
_ Good oral and written communication skills are required.
_ The ability to use a personal computer for information entry and retrieval, correspondence, developing data spreadsheets and graphs, mapping, and conservation practice design is required.
_ Must be proficient with Microsoft Suite and GIS Software.

Job Conditions
_ This position works both in the field and in the office.
_ The fieldwork will include working in and around such locations as farms and ranches; rivers, streams, and ponds; properties with dense vegetation or woodlands; and other areas with steep, slippery, muddy,rocky, or other hazardous terrain.
_ The office work may include working at a desk; using a computer; or working or standing at a table.
_ This position requires travel to field sites, workshops, training sessions, plus daytime and evening meetings outside the office. In order to carry out these assigned duties, a valid Oregon driver’s license is required. 
_ Some physical exertion may be required during field work such as walking, and using technical or power equipment and hand tools.

Compensation
Stipend paid twice a month based on hours worked, amount commensurate to experience and education. Expenses incurred for required job functions, including mileage accrued using a personal vehicle, will be reimbursable. Costs associated with trainings that are related to the position may be covered with pre-approval of District Manager.

To Apply
Send a ONE page cover letter and a resume no longer than TWO pages to [email protected] or to
West Multnomah SWCD
Attn: Scott Gall
2701 NW Vaughn Street, Suite 450
Portland, OR 97210.
For questions contact Scott Gall at email above or call 503-238-4775 x 105.