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Ada County Weed Pest and Mosquito Abatement
GIS and Mapping Program
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Weed, pest, and mosquito control programs provide an excellent opportunity to integrate geographic data and technology (geotechnology). For many years, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Geographic Positioning System (GPS) have been used to map and monitor ecological resources. With recent advances in mobile GIS (GPS and GIS enabled field computers), data is now commonly collected in a geographic context. Using technologies for routine tasks such as recording chemical applications, performing field inspections, and a host of other activities, helps to generate more accurate records, increase efficiency, and enable the complete automation of many redundant tasks.
Since 1998, the Weed and Pest and Mosquito Abatement Program at Ada County has been integrating innovate geospatial solutions into their ecological management strategies. Currently, the department is developing a state of the art GIS program. Prior to 2008, multiple field data collection devices were maintained, including HP IPaqs with Pharos GPS receivers, Trimble Geo Explorer III's, Trimble Recon's, Juniper Pro2000 dataloggers, and two Midtech Legacy 6000 dataloggers.
In 2006, the department began implementing a strategy to convert all field data collection to ESRI ArcPad Applications. ArcPad software is easily configured to most any task, and can be operated on any Windows or Windows CE compatible device (ranging from a Desktop PC to a PDA). In 2008, this conversion will be complete, having greatly simplified our data collection and maintence needs. Currently, the department is exploring the use of GPS enabled smartphones, which allow field crews immediate access to all mapping resources at any time in any location.
The links below contain a description of some of the projects and programs at Ada County Weed and Pest that currently utilize GIS and GPS technologies. You may also download a presentation about how technologies are integrated in our mosquito abatement business plan (4MB PDF)
Mosquito Abatement | Roadside Herbicide | Weed Mapping | NWFFS