---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Morgan J Bearden <mbearden(a)usgs.gov>
Date: Fri, Nov 16, 2012 at 9:42 AM
Subject: US Geological Survey - National Map Corps
To: gail.kilgore(a)gmail.com
Dear Ms Kilgore,
I am writing to you today to introduce you to a program within the US
Geological Survey (USGS) that may be of interest to you and your
COGenWeb.com colleagues. The National Geospatial Technical Operations
Center (NGTOC), the mapping office within the USGS, is currently looking
into reviving our volunteer mapping program, The National Map Corps.
We would like to discuss possible collaborations or tie-ins with
COGenWeb.com. Some of the data we are updating through this project, such
as cemeteries, are likely to be useful to
COGenWeb.com members who desire
free and complete data.
In terms of collaboration, the USGS would benefit from any information that
COGenWeb.com members may be able to contribute to our project such as
location and name of cemeteries. We have a particularly difficult time
identifying small cemeteries in rural areas.
The following is a copy of a recent press release regarding the National
Map Corps.
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Crowdsourcing: Looking at New Ways to Map Structures in Colorado
The U.S. Geological Survey is examining the restoration of its popular
volunteer mapping program, The National Map Corps.
In light of swiftly changing technical landscapes and increasing uses of
social networking, the USGS is exploring a new approach to the volunteer
program, and is launching a project to test options for volunteer
participation in providing data to The National Map
The project involves mapping man-made structures and facilities, such as
schools and fire stations, in the state of Colorado. Using an internet
mapping application, volunteers can help the USGS update The National Map
by correcting or adding information about structures.
"Even members of the public who can't tell a sandstone from a rhyolite but
have internet access can now help the USGS keep its popular maps up to date
through our new experiment in crowd
sourcing," said USGS Director Marcia McNutt. "Correctly locating and
identifying fire stations, police stations, schools, and hospitals not
only makes USGS maps more useful, but can literally save a life."
Over the past two decades, the USGS National Geospatial Program has
sponsored various forms of volunteer map data collection projects.
Volunteers have helped the USGS improve its cartographic products by
annotating paper maps, collecting data using GPS units, and submitting data
using a web-based tool. However, in 2008, the volunteer mapping program was
suspended as new methods for using volunteer data were being studied.
In recent years, new web- and mobile-based technologies have made it easier
to create, combine, and share maps. Recent events have shown how well these
technologies support the rapid and relevant production of geographic
information.
If the Colorado pilot project is successful in attracting volunteers and
capturing data for use in The National Map, the program may be expanded to
other areas in the future.
This project offers volunteers an opportunity to participate in providing
data to The National Map and US Topo map products. For more information,
interested Colorado volunteers can visit:
*https://my.usgs.gov/confluence/display/nationalmapcorps/Home*<https://my.usgs.gov/confluence/display/nationalmapcorps/Home>
The National Map Corps:
*http://nationalmap.gov/TheNationalMapCorps/*<http://nationalmap.gov/TheNationalMapCorps/>
*http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=3366#.UFejXbJlRUl*<http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=3366#.UFejXbJlRUl>
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Here are some additional links to our project website and a project
overview video:
*https://my.usgs.gov/confluence/display/nationalmapcorps/*<https://my.usgs.gov/confluence/display/nationalmapcorps/>
*http://gallery.usgs.gov/videos/552#.UD56O8FlRUl*<http://gallery.usgs.gov/videos/552#.UD56O8FlRUl>
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Morgan
Morgan J Bearden, Cartographer
The National Map Corps
U.S. Geological Survey
1400 Independence Road
Rolla, Missouri 65401
573-308-3591 --- office
573-578-2982 --- cell
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