Official Launch Scheduled for Earth Day on April 22

Among the many displays and interactive activities at the new Sam J. Racadio Library and Environmental Learning Center in Highland, California, is a geographic information system (GIS) kiosk. Recently installed by ESRI, the kiosk uses ArcReader and ArcGIS Online software to promote the use of maps for environmental purposes by those doing research or who are simply curious about a particular place.

Commenting on what is available at the kiosk, Ray Carnes, ESRI technical marketing specialist, says, “Data about the positive impacts that people are having on the environment are showcased through a variety of maps, which range in scale from the library itself to the entire planet. For example, the Highland city map shows environmentally sensitive businesses and community resources. United States maps show the locations and characteristics of the country’s top 10 most sustainable cities, and the Map of the Global Human Footprint illustrates the human impact on every square kilometer on earth.”

The data necessary to create these maps comes from a variety of sources including the County of San Bernardino, ESRI, SustainLane.com, Readers Digest, and the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Jessica Sutorus, director of the Environmental Learning Center, says, “The center provides resources, activities, materials, and programs to improve environmental literacy. Patrons are using it to learn more about the impact they, their community, and others, are having on the environment, and the implementation of the GIS kiosk is a big part of this educational process.”