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Neal Smith NWR 2007 Fact Sheet
2008 Federal Duck Stamp Contest Friends of the Prairie Learning Center National Wildlife Refuge Association Refuge Mailing address: Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge-Prairie Learning Center |
GIS (Geographic Information Systems) has been an integral part of planning and management at Neal Smith NWR since the Refuge Master Planning process in 1992. Over 50 digital spatial data sets including transportation routes, habitat types, land uses, and soils were compiled by an outside source during the process. The data sets were then transformed into computer map layers and databases, combined, and analyzed for specific planning questions.
In 1994 Neal Smith NWR staff began to update and create spatial data sets themselves. Annual information such as prescribed burn locations, prairie planting sites, and scientific research is now digitized on site. Additional one-time data layers are also digitized as needed. All newly digitized layers are compatible with original Refuge GIS data sets, as well as with GIS data from other sources. The compilation of yearly information allows staff to view, analyze, and output maps and graphs of spatial changes that occur over time.
GIS has become an invaluable Refuge management tool. Most recently, GIS has been used to calculate the change over time of total acres of prairie habitat. Cadastral data layers have produced ownership statistics and legal descriptions for Refuge land acquisitions. Refuge fire management uses GIS extensively. All burn prescriptions written for Neal Smith NWR are comprised of GIS multi-scale maps, vegetation analyses, and area hydrology.
