FOCUS ON:
Renewed GeoConnections
The 2010 Federal Budget announced renewed funding for the GeoConnections program. The Budget provides $11 million in funding over the next two years to continue development of the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI) and to provide consolidated geographic-related information to Canadians via the Internet.
News Flash
June 15 2010 Results of Data Needs Assessment for Integrated Landscape Management Decision-Making Processes Now AvailableUpcoming Events
Resources & Tools
CGDI Enablement of WILDSPACE: Developing Standards for Management and Exchange of Wildlife Data
This project tested and refined WILDSPACE technology to improve management of wildlife and habitat data in Canada. WILDSPACE is a wildlife data management system of Environment Canada operated by the department's Canadian Wildlife Service.
The project will make it easier for Environment Canada, other government departments, and non-governmental organizations to share wildlife and habitat source data. Interoperability and access to data are the primary objectives of GeoConnections stakeholders.
Sharing of wildlife data is difficult because no globally-accepted data integration standards exist in the domain. Dozens of organizations collect wildlife and habitat data across Canada but there is no standard way to store, manage, and share these varied data sets; consequently a vast amount of valid and essential information remains largely unavailable. In addition to creating data views relevant to major clients, the project produced a Best Practice Guide for use by data managers and end users in interpreting and integrating wildlife thematic data.
By establishing best practices and creating standards for data management, content, and formatting, this project will allow organizations to plan land use, conduct environmental assessments, and manage ecosystems more effectively than they can today. These standards will be compatible with the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI) and Open Geospatial Consortium services such as Web Feature Service.
The project will enable environmental organizations to work together more fluidly and capitalize on one another's efforts. Consequently, the project will help Canadians protect the country's wildlife and better guard species at risk.
Primary Partner:
Environment Canad - Canadian Wildlife Service
Ottawa,
Ontario;
Partners:
Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
NatureServe
NatureServe Canada
Environment Canada-Water Science & Technologies Directorate
Funding From GeoConnections: $30,000.00 ( 26.0 %)
Estimated Inception Date: June, 2008
Estimated Completion Date: January, 2009
Deliverables from this project benefitted the following provinces: All provinces