CLEAR Webinar Library
This web page serves as a repository for all CLEAR-related webinars. We will contiue to add links to webinars as they become available.
Check the CLEAR home page often for updates, or better yet, get on our emailing list to be sure to hear about new and upcoming webinars. We are always looking for new webinar ideas and welcome your suggestions. Send us an email at clear@uconn.edu, or use our comments form located on our Contact page.
Want to see more CLEAR-related videos? Check out our CLEAR Video Library.
Build a Rain Garden this Spring with NEMO's New App & Website
February 20, 2013 - From the CLEAR 2013 Webinar Series
Presented by David Dickson & Michael Dietz, UConn CLEAR
Run Time: 00:47:39
Rain gardens are depressions in the ground that collect and soak up stormwater runoff from roads, roofs, driveways, and other hard surfaces. They are relatively simple to install, are beautiful additions to the landscape, and help prevent water pollution. And now NEMO has made it even easier to install a rain garden of your very own with a new website and the nation's first Rain Garden smartphone app.
The app and website are aimed at homeowners, landscape professionals, municipal staff, or others who are interested in properly installing one or more rain gardens. This webinar will provide a live demonstration of the dynamic features of the app, which include a searchable plant database and tools that help site, size and install your rain garden properly. It will also highlight the features of NEMO & Connecticut Fund for the Environment's new Rain Garden website for those without a smartphone.
Our Changing Landscape: 1985 - 2010
December 4, 2012 - From the CLEAR 2012 Webinar Series
Presented by Emily Wilson and Chet Arnold, UConn CLEAR
Run Time: 00:50:48
How has our local landscape been changing over the last 25 years?CLEAR’s Changing Landscape is an ongoing project that uses remote sensing technology to chart land cover changes over time. Long Island Sound Study funding has allowed CLEAR to expand the project study area to include the portions of New York draining to the Sound, and to add a 2010 dataset that makes the total study period a whopping 25 years. Land cover change, riparian (streamside) zone change, and impervious area are all included in the study, and the information is posted on an extensive interactive website that includes data summaries and maps at the regional, state, major watershed, and small watershed levels. This webinar will introduce you to the study, go over a few basic findings, and give you a virtual tour of the site so that you can dig into the data, maps, and tables on your own. Whether you’re new to CLEAR land cover data or have been impatiently waiting for the update, this webinar is for you!
Climate Change Adaptation
September 18, 2012 - From the CLEAR 2012 Webinar Series
Presented by Bruce Hyde, UConn CLEAR and Juliana Barrett, CT Sea Grant
Run Time: 00:56:42
Hurricane Irene showed just how vulnerable we are to damage from storms and tidal inundation. The impact of climate change on coastal municipalities is likely to result in heavier downpours, more vulnerable coastlines, and increases to the amount of land that could be inundated by rising sea levels. These events will challenge communities to come up with adaptation strategies to address impacts that range from a loss of coastal wetlands to a loss of tax base.
This webinar identifies municipal issues related to climate change such as eroding coastlines, overburdened stormwater systems, failing septic systems, and street flooding, and provides examples of how some communities are addressing the challenge.
Community Food Security in Connecticut
July 10, 2012 - From the CLEAR 2012 Webinar Series
Presented by Jiff Martin, UConn Cooperative Extension and Adam Rabinowitz, UConn CANR
Run Time: 00:54:03
Most residents in Connecticut have consistent, dependable access to enough food for active, healthy living. Yet each year there are households that experience limited access to food due to a lack of money or other resources. Between 2008 and 2010, 12.7 percent of residents in Connecticut were living in food insecure households (38% of which were living in 'households with very low food insecurity'). Although it is extremely difficult to pinpoint where these food insecure households are located, we can look at certain town-level variables to draw comparisons on a town by town basis.
UConn Zwick Center for Food and Resource Policy, UConn Cooperative Extension, CT Food Policy Council, and UConn CLEAR have collaborated to develop the new Community Food Security (CFS) in Connecticut Study with an accompanying website with interative map features. The CFS study and website provides a picture of how towns in Connecticut compare to each other under three separate conditions: 1) What is the likelihood that a resident is at-risk for food insecurity?; 2) What is the status of access to food options and geographic proximity to food retailers?; 3) How well are town residents being served through public food assistance services?
Demonstration of ArcGIS.com
July 18, 2012 - Posted on the Ecosystem-Based Managment Tools Network Website
Presented by Emily Wilson, UConn CLEAR
Run Time: 01:08:46
Interactive web maps are powerful tools for organizing and disseminating information for public consumption. For years, Google has led this revolution in online mapping by making it easy for practically anyone to create a custom web map of their own using Google Maps and Google Earth. ESRI, the creator of the most popular desktop GIS software, has recently launched ArcGIS.com, a free web based tool for creating web maps and mapping applications. It allows a user to create customizable maps with built in functions including the ability to: connect to a wide variety of base maps and mapping services, import existing GIS data, customize how information is displayed, edit data using a simple interface or smartphone, collaborate with others, create online galleries of web maps, establish public or private map groups, add new data, and more. This webinar will provide an overview of ESRI's new ArcGIS.com website and live demonstration of many of the functions listed above.
ArcGIS.com: A User-Friendly Tool for Creating Maps Online
May 8, 2012 - From the CLEAR 2012 Webinar Series
Presented by Cary Chadwick and Emily Wilson, UConn CLEAR
Run Time: 01:04:45
Interactive web maps are powerful tools for organizing and disseminating information for public consumption. For years, Google has led this revolution in online mapping by making it easy for practically anyone (even you) to create a custom web map of their own using Google Maps and Google Earth. But Google isn’t the only game in town anymore.
ESRI, the creator of the most popular desktop GIS software, has recently launched ArcGIS.com, a free web based tool for creating web maps and mapping applications. It allows a user to create customizable maps with built in functions including the ability to: connect to a wide variety of base maps and mapping services, import existing GIS data, customize how information is displayed, edit data using a simple interface or smartphone, collaborate with others, create online galleries of web maps, establish public or private map groups, add new data, and more. This webinar will provide an overview of ESRI’s new ArcGIS.com website. Many of the functions listed above will be covered through discussion and live demonstration and will include examples of how towns and land trusts might use the technology to meet their online mapping needs.
LID in Connecticut: a Virtual Tour of Where It's Working
March 13, 2012 - From the CLEAR 2012 Webinar Series
Presented by Michael Dietz and David Dickson, UConn CLEAR
Run Time: 00:49:51
No need to get on the bus for this tour! Join us for a virtual tour of Low Impact Development (LID) around the State of Connecticut. Dave Dickson and Mike Dietz will use NEMO's LID Atlas, a cutting-edge web tool powered by Google Maps, to highlight LID projects around the state. At each stop you'll learn the background of each site, get to see pictures, learn about obstacles, and successes. Different types of LID practices will be covered, from rain gardens to porous pavements. At the end, we'll demonstrate the use of the Atlas so that you can your own tour not only around Connecticut but the entire U.S. Perhaps some of these sites will inspire you to initiate an LID project in your town? Come find out!
Introduction to "Buildout" Analyses
February 28, 2012 - From the CLEAR 2012 Webinar Series
Presented by Bruce Hyde, Emily Wilson and Chet Arnold, UConn CLEAR
Run Time: 00:50:53
A "buildout" analysis is a planning tool that can provide insight into the possible future impacts of a town's current land use regulations. But what does a buildout really tell you? In the first half of the webinar, we'll explain what a buildout is and isn't, go over common misconceptions about buildouts, and review several different types of buildouts and what type of data are needed for each. In the second half we'll illustrate some of these concepts with two case studies - one done in 2008 for the CT Office of Policy and Management and in partnership with the Central Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments, and a recently completed buildout done in partnership with the Town of Kent. And of course, we'll (attempt to) answer your questions. After spending this hour with us, you may not be able to do a buildout using your iPhone and a pocket calculator, but you will be able to ask good questions about the need for, uses, and types of buildouts that might apply to your community.
Using CLEAR Website Tools for Local Conservation Planning Webinar
November 8, 2011 - From the CLEAR 2011 Webinar Series
Presented by Emily Wilson and Chet Arnold, UConn CLEAR
Eligible for 1 CM credit.
Run Time: 00:48:49
Local land trusts and conservation commissions are major players in land conservation in Connecticut, yet few have direct access to technical resources that can help them in their task of permanently protecting open space. In many cases, web-based information and tools created by the UConn Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR) can help. This presentation will use live online demonstration of these tools to show how they can be used to help make the case for, analyze and prioritize open space. The "tour" will include examples using the Connecticut's Changing Landscape website, online Community Resource Inventory, CT-ECO online mapping site, and GoogleEarth (which CLEAR, alas, did not create).
Farm-friendly Plans & Regulations
October 18, 2011 - From the CLEAR 2011 Webinar Series
Presented by Joan Nichols, Government Relations Specialist, Connecticut Farm Bureau Association
Eligible for 1 CM credit.
Run Time: 00:53:17
According to a 2010 UCONN study, in 2007 Connecticut agriculture contributed $3.5 billion dollars to the state's economy and 20,000 jobs statewide. Agriculture is growing and diversifying in Connecticut to meet the demand for locally grown food and farm products. Agriculture is a unique land use that often does not fit into the mold of most land use regulations. It is important that municipalities understand the unique characteristics of agriculture so that regulations are written that allow for sustainability of local agriculture. This one hour webinar will highlight key points community leaders and planners should consider when drafting "farm-friendly" regulations and what steps communities should take to insure that the needs of the farming and non-farming community are addressed.
Permeable Pavements for Stormwater Control
September 13, 2011 - From the CLEAR 2011 Webinar Series
Presented by Michael Dietz, UConn CLEAR
Run Time: 00:56:15
Pervious pavements are recommended as an alternative to traditional asphalt or concrete pavements to reduce stormwater impacts. This webinar will discuss some different types of pervious pavements that are currently available, including pervious concrete, pervious asphalt, pervious interlocking concrete pavers (PICPs), and plastic grid pavements. Performance data, advantages/disadvantages for different applications, and some cost information will be discussed.
An Introduction to Global Positioning Systems (GPS) Technology & Smartphone Mapping "Apps"
July 19, 2011 - From the CLEAR 2011 Webinar Series
Presented by Cary Chadwick and David Dickson, UConn CLEAR
Eligible for 1 CM credit.
Run Time: 00:55:30
In today’s high tech world, it’s hard to go anywhere without seeing how the Global Positioning System (GPS) influences our daily activities. GPS technology is built into many new products, from smartphones to smart shoes. This webinar will introduce you to the magic behind the Global Positioning System and will discuss topics including how to choose a GPS unit to meet your needs, how to collect and display GPS data on a map and how to link photographs to a geographic location. This webinar will also discuss new trends in smartphone technology and methods for mapping field points using an iPhone or iPad.
Planning for Brownfields
June 22, 2011 - From the CLEAR 2011 Webinar Series
Presented by Bruce Hyde, UConn CLEAR and Dudley (Skip) Alleman, Senior Project Manager
HRP Associates, Inc
Eligible for 1 CM credit.
Run Time: 00:52:48
A mapping “mashup” is a web application that combines data from different sources into a single integrated, online mapping tool. With the rise in online mapping technology from leaders like Google Maps and Google Earth, creating these mashup applications has never been easier. This one-hour webinar will demonstrate how anyone can use Google tools to publish basic geographic information on a customized map using Google Maps and Google Earth. Topics will include how to add place markers, lines and shapes to a map, how to add content including photos and videos to the map and how to import existing data from other sources. The webinar will also highlight collaborative mapping techniques and methods for sharing and embedding maps on websites. The webinar will include live demonstration of tools and techniques along with plenty of real world examples.
Free Google Tools for Creating Interactive Mapping “Mashups”
May 10, 2011 - From the CLEAR 2011 Webinar Series
Presented by Cary Chadwick and Emily Wilson, UConn CLEAR
Eligible for 1 CM credit.
Run Time: 01:01:50
A mapping “mashup” is a web application that combines data from different sources into a single integrated, online mapping tool. With the rise in online mapping technology from leaders like Google Maps and Google Earth, creating these mashup applications has never been easier. This one-hour webinar will demonstrate how anyone can use Google tools to publish basic geographic information on a customized map using Google Maps and Google Earth. Topics will include how to add place markers, lines and shapes to a map, how to add content including photos and videos to the map and how to import existing data from other sources. The webinar will also highlight collaborative mapping techniques and methods for sharing and embedding maps on websites. The webinar will include live demonstration of tools and techniques along with plenty of real world examples.
Rain Gardens
April 19, 2011 - From the CLEAR 2011 Webinar Series
Presented by Michael Dietz, UConn CLEAR
Run Time: 00:49:47
A rain garden is a depressed area in the landscape designed to collect and infiltrate stormwater. In addition to treating stormwater, rain gardens can be beautiful additions to the home landscape. This webinar will provide an overview of the functions and features of rain gardens. Learn how to size them, where to locate them, how to install them, and what types of plants to put in them. The focus will be on residential scale rain gardens, but a brief coverage of bioretention systems will be provided as well.
Affordable Housing
March 15, 2011 - From the CLEAR 2011 Webinar Series
Presented by Bruce Hyde, UConn CLEAR and David Fink, Policy Director Partnership for Strong Communities
Run Time: 00:56:42
The mere mention of affordable housing can be a lightning rod for the NIMBY ("not in my back yard") elements in any community. But what is affordable housing and who really lives in it? Access to decent, safe, sanitary and affordable housing has long been an issue of public importance in Connecticut. This webinar focuses on the challenges of providing affordable housing in our communities and why it’s important to create it to solve economic growth, municipal finance, educational, healthcare, environmental quality-of-life, transportation and other problems that our towns and state face. Methods of overcoming the barriers to affordable housing—erasing myths and misconceptions—and discussing why creating affordable housing is in the interest of municipalities will be discussed. The information provided will help foster an understanding of the relationship between housing costs and household incomes, development revenues versus municipal costs, and will include the role of planners in educating their towns’ residents on the benefits of affordable housing in their communities.
Riparian Corridors
February 8, 2011 - From the CLEAR 2011 Webinar Series
Presented by Emily Wilson, UConn CLEAR and Juliana Barrett, CT Sea Grant
Run Time: 00:52:23
Riparian, or streamside, corridors provide a host of environmental benefits, from erosion control and wildlife habitat to water quality protection. What is the state of riparian corridors in Connecticut, and what options are there for addressing riparian corridor protection?
This webinar will focus on a recently completed CLEAR study showing changes to 100 foot and 300 foot riparian corridor areas during the 21-year period from 1985 to 2006. We will review statewide, watershed, and town-level data, and demonstrate the use of the project website. We will also present information on the functions and values of riparian corridors of various widths, the relationship between wetlands and riparian corridors, and the need for local commissions, land trusts and other conservation groups to work together on the conservation of these critical areas.
CT Environmental Conditions Online (ECO) Training
March 2, 2010 - Posted on the CT ECO Website
Presented by Cary Chadwick and Chet Arnold, UConn CLEAR
Run Time: 00:50:24
On March 2, A CT ECO Training Webinar demonstrated the range of data, tools and techniques for viewing Connecticut's natural resource data in the CT ECO (Environmental Conditions Online) website. Highlighted features included CT ECO's Data and Resource Guides, Map Catalog, Simple Map Viewer, Advanced Map Viewer, and Map Services. The webinar demonstrated how CT ECO is intended not only for the GIS proficient, but also for a casual map user. CT ECO is a partnership between the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and the University of Connecticut.
Putting Maps & Geographic Data on the Web
January 20, 2010 - Posted on CLEAR's Geospatial Training Program Website
Presented by Presented by Cary Chadwick, UConn CLEAR
Run Time: 00:58:15
This one-hour webinar will demonstrate how anyone can use Google tools to publish basic geographic information on a customized map using Google Maps and Google Earth. It also covers techniques for embedding an interactive map on a website.
Forest Fragmentation Study
November 4, 2009 - Posted on CLEAR's Forest Fragmentation Study Website
Presented by Chet Arnold, Tom Worthley, James Hurd and Emily Wilson, UConn CLEAR
CLEAR researchers developed a model to analyze the land cover change for information on the fragmentation of forest land, the largest component of Connecticut's land cover. The Forest Fragmentation Study webinar is a 45 minute review of CLEAR's Forest Fragmentation study and website.
Part 1
Run Time (00:12:42)
Part 2
Run Time (00:07:22)
Part 3
Run Time (00:36:15)
