December 17, 2013
Presented by Cary Chadwick and David Dickson, UConn CLEAR
A simple search for “GPS” apps in the Apple App store or on Google Play will return thousands of results for free or low cost mapping apps now available on your smartphone. So where do you start? This webinar will start to answer that question. UConn CLEAR has been conducting GPS trainings for nearly a decade that have focused on using a handheld GPS unit to collect geospatial data in the field and then map it. Due to popular demand, we are developing a version of the course focused on using smartphones to collect field data instead of a dedicated GPS receiver. This webinar will provide an overview of the smartphone GPS universe and showcase our favorite apps for field data collection.
November 7, 2013
Presented by Juliana Barrett, CT Sea Grant & Joel Stocker, UConn CLEAR
Great Gull Island, owned by the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), has two species of terns nesting on the island: the Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) with 9,500 pairs and the Roseate Tern (S. dougallii) with 1,300 pairs. This represents the largest concentration of nesting Common Terns in the world, and the largest concentration of nesting Roseate Terns in the Western Hemisphere. Great Gull Island, 17 acres in size, is the site of a former army fort with crumbling battlements and boulders surrounding the edges of the island. The Common Terns use the interior island, while the Roseate Terns nest in the boulders. Vegetation, including many invasive plant species, has overtaken parts of the island causing loss of nesting habitat. Connecticut Sea Grant, CLEAR, and USFWS are working with the AMNH to develop and implement a habitat management plan for this island. This webinar will describe the fascinating history of Great Gull Island and our management efforts to improve tern nesting habitat.
February 20, 2013
Presented by David Dickson & Michael Dietz, UConn CLEAR
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.