Disaster Mapping and Environmental Data for Conservation
When disaster strikes a conservation landscape, the difference between chaos and coordinated response often comes down to preparation. This course equips you with the skills to use practical mapping tools and design tabletop exercises to help effectively protect communities and ecosystems before, during, and after disaster strikes.
On this page
Overview
Conservation landscapes face growing threats from wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters. This course equips professionals from all backgrounds with practical frameworks, open mapping tools, and tabletop exercise skills to strengthen disaster readiness.
Key Benefits
- Build a disaster preparedness framework tailored to conservation contexts
- Learn how geospatial data supports real-world response decisions
- Develop stakeholder coordination skills without advanced technical expertise
- Create a transferable preparedness artifact you can use immediately
What's Included
- Close guidance on building a workable tabletop exercise scenario using real conservation case studies
- Hands-on exploration of OpenStreetMap and volunteer mapping platforms
- Real-world disaster preparedness examples illustrating data-driven decision-making
No prior GIS experience required.
Who this course is designed for:
- Early-career conservation professionals, environmental managers, and protected area staff seeking to strengthen disaster preparedness within their organizations.
- NGO practitioners and emergency coordinators working in conservation landscapes who want practical planning tools that protect ecosystems and communities.
- Community volunteers and local leaders supporting environmental stewardship and resilience efforts.
- Students entering the conservation field who want foundational skills in preparedness planning, no technical background required.
Outcomes
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Explain core disaster phases and how they connect to conservation goals
- Identify key stakeholders and their roles in conservation disaster readiness
- Describe environmental and geospatial data types used in disaster response
- Design and facilitate a tabletop exercise for your organization
- Apply open participatory mapping tools to support preparedness and recovery planning
Practical skills you will develop
This program equips learners with vital skills to thrive in today’s complex workforce. Key skills include:
These skills apply to these careers
Environmental Scientists and Specialists
Implement sustainability practices—waste, green building, resource management
Emergency Management Directors
Develop and implement strategies to reduce risks from natural and human-made disasters through mitigation planning and resilience programs.
Geographers
Study the Earth's surface and analyze geographic data using GIS and spatial analysis tools to support planning, environmental management, and policy decisions.
Conservation Scientists and Foresters
Manage forests, parks, rangelands, and other natural resources to protect ecosystems and ensure sustainable use.
Instructors
Arizona State University
Contact information
Have additional questions?
Please reach out directly to Tye Waggoner ([email protected]) for assistance with the programs content.