1. Oregon Explorer Project Demonstration NRIC Aug 4-6, 2007
Andrea Wirth, Oregon State University Libraries
Introduction

2. What is Oregon Explorer?
Natural resources digital library
Provides access to
multi-format information for places of interest
tools for integration and synthesis
people resources
context of issues through stories
Place-based resource
Each portal is a little different.

3. Why OE? OE Vision and goals OSU Strategic Plan (2004) technology
accessibility
partnerships
decision making support
OSU Strategic Plan (2004)
Sustaining natural resources is one of OSU’s five thematic focus areas
Why build a natural resources digital library for Oregon?
OE Vision: “The Oregon Explorer is envisioned to use the power of today’s cutting edge information technology to create a state-of-the-art web-accessible natural resources digital library by way of accessing and integrating data from state and federal agencies, local governments, university scientists and citizens to support informed decisions and actions by people concerned with Oregon’s natural resources and environment.”
GOALS
– quick access for users to find, integrate, and synthesize geo-referenced, well-organized natural resources information
- develop customized data products and tools to provide decision support and environmental management in public and private sectors
- Empower users to share their information with others and build community networks
From OSU strategic plan (2004):
“Managing natural resources that contribute to Oregon’s quality of life and growing and sustaining natural resources-based industries.”
“The environmental, social, and economic benefits provided by Oregon’s landscapes, beaches, forests, streams, rangelands, ranches, farms, and marine systems shape our quality of life. Industries like forestry, agriculture, and tourism are important components of the state’s economy. To compete globally and be sustainable, however, these sectors must become increasingly innovative and more environmentally-friendly, changes in which university research and development can play an important part.”

4. Why OE? Digital Initiative Need!
In 2000, a report on the state of the environment in Oregon found that information was not accessible to natural resources decision makers and others with an interest in Oregon’s natural resources. (Oregon Progress Board)
Achterman
Why build a natural resources digital library for Oregon?
Digital initiatives, in particular those that help archive, preserve, and make accessible information are important components of the library’s strategic plan.
--ScholarsArchive is the institutional repository. Collection designated for natural resources with subset for Oregon Explorer. Allows everyone to participate in selection of resources for the digital library.
--University Archives – many photographs and media that focus on history of natural resources and their use in Oregon (and beyond) such as the Pacific Northwest Stream Survey
Need! Based on early conversations with users of Natural Resources
Information not localized, agency information (ie Oregon Watershed Restoration Inventory) not always easy to access
Oregon Explorer can be the centralized location for all types of information.
Users include:
Natural resource decision-makers
Watershed council members
Soil and water conservation district staff
Local planners
Extension agents
Scientists
Researchers
Educators
Students
Media staff
Citizen volunteers
Landowners
Interested public
Before OE: “If you’re just someone that wants to know about a place, it’s tough, and people get frustrated” - Gail Achterman at OE Launch, 6/28/07

5. OE Creators Partnership between and
Team members with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise
Partners for basin and topic portals
Who created OE
Partnership between OSU Libraries and INR (a university system entity, not an OSU entity)
Team members include the Natural Resources Library Program Director, project manager, programmers, GIS analysts, Natural resource specialists (INR)
Also involved: contracted technical writer and graphic designer
*INR responsible for creating a comprehensive natural resource information system for Oregonians
*OSU Libraries a partner because of natural resource collections and were already creating a natural resources digital library. OSU Libraries is uniquely positioned to pull together an integrated system that other state agencies have not been able to.
A variety of partners for basin and topic portals (such as OWEB, Partnership for Umpqua Rivers – a watershed council)

6. What’s next? Portals Fixing, fine tuning, bugs, improvements
Wildlife
Land use
Imagery
Rural Communities
Spatial Data
Fixing, fine tuning, bugs, improvements
integration of map tool and literature searches
Visioning, evaluation, role definition
PORTALS
Land-use – measure 37 (2004). If property value is reduced by environmental regulations, then owner can ask for compensation from the government. If compensation not given, then after 2 years, land can be used under the regulations in effect at the time of purchase.
Imagery – .5 meter orthoimagery quads for Oregon
Rural Communities – will support new Rural Studies Program, in step with Land Grant University status
Spatial data – important to campus needs as well as natural resources decision support
Improvement - The georeferencing feature is imperative. It’s part of what OE has wanted to accomplish from the beginning. Want people to be able to get all the Natural Resource info they need by location – town, county, watershed, etc.
Usability test conducted in-house has shown areas that need improving and fixing. Some OE team members were aware of and some we were not.
Visioning/role definition – had an OE retreat for team members. Reviewed vision and discussed roles. Gave a chance for those with diverse areas of responsibility to understand better what others were doing on the project.

7. Admin tool Home grown Allows editing from various contributors OE team
Remote contributors
Technical Writer
Partnership for Umpqua Rivers
Allows for shared editing and contribution responsibilities.

8. The following slides were not used in the presentation but were placed as back up incase of internet connectivity issues. The live demonstration followed the same progression.

9. Current portals.

10. About OE (vision, etc)

11. Learn about menu – background, context, interest building

12. Learn about topics

13. Variety of authors, contributors and compilers

14. In addition to original and compiled material, used the Willamette River Basin Planning Atlas for much of the Willamette Basin Explorer. Bringing the atlas “to life”.

15. Learn about places

16. Choose a basin:
Basin background, some pictures, link to that basin’s section in the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds. Selected statistics from that displayed in OE.

17. Or choose a county.

18. County information comes from the Oregon Blue book
County information comes from the Oregon Blue book. Statewide government information.

19. Issues and actions (address why people should care)

20. Different issues/actions depending on portal (here WBE and UBE)
Umpqua Basin issues are part of the content selected by the Partnership for Umpqua Rivers.

21. “Read stories about the role that citizens, resource managers and policymakers are playing in the long-term enhancement of Oregon's natural resources.”

22. Basin Feature Story – “Flying through time”
Video clip of river change from

24. Topic stories example – Gaining ground

25. McCall talks of the problem of Oregon losing its credibility as the “environmental model of this nation” through the “unfettered despoiling of our land”
Interesting interviews and speeches from people with an interest in how land in Oregon has been used and managed.
Dale White – Since eastern Oregon has different land management issues than the Willamette Valley, solutions that apply to one area will not work in the other. Willamette Valley’s needs are driving the whole state.
Hector Macpherson – Led initiative to help protect farm and forest land in Oregon.
Governor McCall. [play audio]

26. Tools, data, photos, video

27. Example shown next of basic mapping tool – ease of use for average person who just needs to make a quick map – does not need GIS skill.
Ready made maps gives you some preselected choices – such as wildfire risk, fish and water quality, etc.

28. Making a basic map (step 1 and 2)

29. 3rd step is viewing the map

31. Steps in chart and table making.

34. Links to data sources provided.

35. Links to outside sources and library collections including OSU and university archives.

36. Example of collection from Archives
Example of collection from Archives. Umpqua basin “Big Tom Folley” creek.

37. Documents available from the collection browsable by document type.

38. Contacts for people with natural resource questions.

39. Press releases are aggregated from different universities news stories.