Mapping tools are not something I presently use in my daily work, so I was excited to get a chance to seek out different types of tools and try my hand at using them to show features of Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve.
The first tool I used was Google My Maps. Like most, when I first heard of this, I associated it with Google Maps which I admittedly use often. But, after watching a tutorial, I learned this is a different type of mapping program. I tried to create a map showing the external boundary of Buffalo Mountain's preserve and then showing "features" of the preserve which I did using mapping layers. Below is the result of my first foray into on-line mapping tools. The boundaries shown on this map are not accurate, but I tried to create them from looking at other maps of the area.
The next tool I tried was ArcGIS. This tool is definitely for someone who has had training and knows how to use the mapping software. I took a short tutorial but plan on taking the ESRI 2 hour beginner training module since I can see how this tool is a highly valuable resource in the Natural Resources and Environment fields.
I have downloaded a program and dataset used for Natural Resource planning called GrassGIS and my next project will be to try and understand how to use that tool.
An additional free mapping tool I discovered is called ScribbleMaps. I chose to use it from an educational standpoint and I can see how this would be an excellent tool to use in a classroom environment. It is very interactive and has a chat feature on the screen where students can ask for assistance with anything they are stuck on. I think between this and Google MyMaps, those two were the easiest and most intuitive for me to use, although going through a tutorial before using any mapping program would be in one's best interest.
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