GIS for Conservation

Course Overview

This three-day short course equips participants with foundational GIS skills using ArcGIS as a tool for applied conservation. Participants will gain the confidence and technical ability to use GIS for spatial analysis, ecological monitoring, field data integration, and conservation storytelling. Emphasizing practical, field-based applications, the course focuses on how GIS supports habitat management, restoration planning, species tracking, landscape analysis, and effective communication of conservation outcomes. Through hands-on activities and real-world examples, participants will explore how spatial tools can drive more informed decisions. This course is ideal for conservation practitioners, land managers, educators, and environmental professionals looking to integrate GIS into their work.

Day 1: Fundamentals of GIS and Conservation Applications

• Introduction to GIS in conservation
• Creating, collecting, and managing data
• Field data collection using mobile apps (Survey123, Field Maps)

Day 2: Spatial Analysis

• Pattern recognition and spatial relationships
• Mapping and analysis in ArcGIS Pro
• Sharing maps and data products

Day 3: Storytelling

• Using ArcGIS StoryMaps and Instant Apps
• Designing engaging storytelling tools
• Creating project pages using ArcGIS Hub

Continuing Education Credits

This course is approved for credits from the following organizations.

American Society of Landscape Architects: TBD

Ecological Society of America: TBD

About the Instructor

Joseph Kerski is a geographer and educator focused on GIS-based curriculum development, research in the effectiveness of GIS in education, professional development, communication about the need for geographic skills, tools, and perspectives through keynote addresses, articles, social media, and workshops, and fostering partnerships to support GIS in education and society. He has given two TED talks and has created over 6,000 geo-related videos. Joseph teaches online and face-to-face courses for a wide variety of audiences and communities including the Native Indigenous community, HBCUs, educators, conservation/environment, and others. He is active in educational and environmental nonprofit organizations, including SCGIS, NAAEE, AAG, NCSS, and served as president of the National Council for Geographic Education. After serving for 21 years as geographer at NOAA, US Census Bureau, and USGS, Joseph served for 18 years as Education Manager for Esri, providing thought leadership in geospatial technologies in formal and informal education at all levels, internationally, before beginning his own consultancy in 2025. He has written books such as Interpreting Our World, Spatial Mathematics, International Perspectives on Teaching and Learning with GIS in Secondary Schools, The Essentials of the Environment, Tribal GIS, and The GIS Guide to Public Domain Data. But as a lifelong learner, Joseph feels as though he’s just getting started and thus actively seeks mentors, partners, and collaborators.

Prerequisites

This course is intended for conservation practitioners, land managers, educators, and environmental professionals with little to moderate prior GIS experience. Participants should have a general familiarity with conservation concepts such as ecological systems, habitat management, or related fields, though this is not required. Each participant will need access to a personal laptop and a smartphone or tablet for field exercises, as well as an ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Pro account. There will be a limited number of loaners with ArcGIS available to borrow during the course.

Program Guidelines

All programs begin at the Farm Barn Orientation Center unless otherwise noted.

Registration is required. Please let us know if you are no longer able to attend so your space can be offered to someone else. Cancellations received at least 48 hours in advance are eligible for a refund, if applicable.

Programs at Duke Farms are held rain or shine, but in the event of severe or impeditive weather, classes may be canceled. Email notice will be given as early as possible via email and refunds will be issued in the case of cancellations.

Accessibility

Duke Farms is committed to equitable nature access, and participants in our programs can expect or request the following accommodations:

Always

• Flat, well-maintained trails
• KultureCity sensory bags
• Inclusive and responsive instruction
• We welcome working, trained service animals as described by the ADA

Upon Request

• Instructors with voice amplifiers
• Paved trails only
• Assistive listening devices (ALDs) for indoor programs
• American Sign Language Interpreters, with ten (10) days’ notice

We may be able to provide additional, reasonable accommodations not listed here. For all inquirires, please contact us at registrations@dukefarms.org.