HOT NEWS

2011 Conference Date and Location

NWA /River Valley Users Group Meeting

Newsletter

Our History

In 1990, a dozen federal, state, and municipal GIS users came together to establish a base from which to discuss and resolve issues looming on the GIS horizon. That turned out to be a fairly lofty goal, and through that effort the Arkansas GIS Users Forum emerged within the year.

This Forum is a volunteer organization that addresses the complex issues surrounding our chosen field, GIS (Geographic Information Science). Part of our function includes the standardization and sharing of data, with the ultimate goal of cost reduction. This group includes those from our state and the surrounding area who are developing, using or otherwise interacting with GIS software. We encourage discussion and problem solving at a broad level.

After all, geography is for everyone

Our Mission

Subject to the limitations set forth in the Forum's Organizational Charter, and the laws and statutes of the State of Arkansas, the primary objective of the Forum is to advance a common goal by the various agencies and institutions of state, federal, county, and local governments to acquire, apply, and share Geographic Information (GIS) automation technologies to the productive and economic benefit of the State of Arkansas. More particular, but not exclusive purposes are in the following list;

1. To promote the coordination of GIS research, development, and application to avoid duplication of effort.
2. To promote the use of national digital cartographic standards.
3. To encourage the establishment of a digital cartographic data directory accessible to the Forum.
4. To promote a common datum system (NAD 83).
5. To support data sharing within the Forum.
6. To support the operation of a central clearinghouse for the dissemination of GIS information, including legal and technical material, Forum activity, resource directories, and glossaries of common terms.
7. To operate in strict respect of ethical and moral community standards in the achievement of these objectives.