General Information About Metadata
In April, 1994, Executive Order 12906 was signed, requiring all Federal agencies to initiate documentation of geospatial data that they create (whether directly or by contract). This was intended to reduce duplication of effort in creating data and increase the possibility for sharing or locating existing data , thus reducing costs for the Government. The Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC), as directed, has put together standards for the creation of metadata (data about data). They are also fostering the sharing of data and metadata through the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has delayed implementation of metadata creation and data sharing (with the exception of the National Wetlands Inventory office) until more of our staff could be trained in the metadata standard and tools to implement the standard were available.
At this point in time there have been several training opportunities on the metadata standard, and most of the GIS coordinators in the regions are familiar with the standard. Many users are also aware of the need to document data. Tools are being developed, although none of them has been finalized. There is such a surge of GIS use and data creation, however, that waiting longer could create a large backlog of data to be documented. It appears that future changes to the metadata standard or tools will not be major, so a package of guidance on what to document, and tools to use in documenting data is being distributed through various media to FWS GIS staff.
Remember, all offices are responsible for documenting data that they cause to be created. This DOES NOT include data received from sources such as the US Geological Survey (USGS) or the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI), but may include data received from contractors that have edited USGS or NWI data. Contractors should be required to supply documentation with data; most large contractors are already familiar with the requirements. If a contractor is not familiar with metadata requirements, they can contact the GIS Steering Committee members or Regional GIS Coordinators for background.
This also does not mean that all legacy (historic) data and all data you are currently creating must be documented immediately. There are obviously no new staff or dollars attached to perform this documentation. New data and data which would be difficult or expensive to recreate should probably have the first priority for metadata creation. Most offices know which data is most valuable to their operations; document that data first and other data that you feel warrants documentation as time allows.
While this documentation is targeted at finished data files you may find it advantageous to work on the metadata while you are working on the data. That way, you do not need to go back months later and try to remember what you did, and in what order. The intermediate files are certainly important to the office using them; documentation on intermediate files could be shared if you see a value in letting others know what is in progress. That is a judgement call for the office creating the data.
Metadata Resources
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is in the process of completing FGDC compliant metadata for internal spatial data sets. The National Wetlands Inventory has had metadata posted on the Internet for some time; individual field offices and regional offices are now posting data as well. We will attempt to maintain pointers from this site to any FWS sites that have metadata and/or spatial data on the Internet, and who are ready to share that information.
Charles M Russell GPS Metadata Sample metadata for GPS derived data from the Charles M Russell (CMR) National Wildlife Refuge in central Montana. This metadata is in almost final format.
Neal Smith NWR (formerly Walnut Creek NWR) metadata files Fairly complete list of metadata for Neal Smith NWR in central Iowa.
Region 4, Louisiana Data and metadata for Louisiana Lands Protected through Federal Sponsorship
Region 5 metadata and data Metadata and data for refuge boundaries for Region 5 refuges (New England, New York, and mid-Atlantic states.)
National Wildlife Refuge and National Fish Hatchery Public Use Roads and Parking Areas metadata.