Session Abstract

Road Watch in the Crowsnest Pass using Web-based GIS

Road Watch in the Pass is an innovative community based research project that engages local citizenry in reporting wildlife observations along Highway 3 through the Crowsnest Pass in southwestern Alberta, Canada.

Through the use of Web-based GIS, interested citizens can participate in data collection that will be instrumental to decision makers in reducing wildlife vehicle collisions and for developing mitigation measures for Highway expansion. Road Watch utilizes open source applications, MapServer (University of Minnesota) and Chameleon (DM Solutions Group), to create an on-line mapping tool that includes an interactive map of the Crowsnest Pass. Participants can zoom in and out or turn layers on and off to assist in positioning their wildlife observation. Once users have located their observation site on the interactive map they are prompted to describe the details of their wildlife sighting. Observation that have been entered into the database can be viewed on the map providing instant feedback to the users. The use of open source applications played a strong role in the development of this community driven monitoring project. "

Speaker Biography

Ken Sanderson