SGSF GIS Task Force

The SGSF formed the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Task Force in 2004, recognizing the common goals of member organizations and the importance of geospatial information to their objectives.

The GIS Task Force is composed of a core group of professionals representing all SGSF member states and organizations. The primary objective of the task force is to communicate opportunities for collaboration on GIS and other spatial analysis projects that will further the SGSF's strategic goals.

Through regular interaction, we hope that the GIS Task Force will increase the efficient use of GIS in member organizations by sharing knowledge, experience, data, and expertise. Using innovative approaches and methods, the GIS Task Force strives to provide better information about the southern region's natural resources for improved effectiveness of SGSF programs.

What is GIS and why is it important?

GIS refers to a collection of technologies, computer hardware, software, and data that are combined to capture, store, update, analyze, and display all forms of geographically referenced information. This provides a systematic framework for managing data with precise geospatial locations.

In the world of natural resource management, much of the information used in decision making has a geospatial context.

With GIS, the diverse facts and figures of an area's resources and communities can be combined into a common database, organized according to the requirements of individuals or organizations, and easily accessed by all.

With GIS, any location on a map can become an index to relevant cultural, economic, environmental, demographic, and political information. Thus, GIS is a powerful tool that provides managers with sound information to better protect and utilize our natural resources.