---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Morgan J Bearden <mbearden@usgs.gov> Date: Fri, Nov 16, 2012 at 9:42 AM Subject: US Geological Survey - National Map Corps To: gail.kilgore@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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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> ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 -- *Words to ponder: Be Yourself!! Everyone else is taken. * *Trails to the Past* *http://trailstothepast.org* <http://trailstothepast.org>