Project:
Healthy Communities - Mapping Recreational Resources
Missouri Deparment of Health and Senior Services Partner with Missouri 4-H to Develop Cooperative GIS/GPS Projects
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is working with the University of Missouri Extension Service to develop cooperative GIS/GPS projects for the Missouri 4-H Tech Team. The effort is part of a nation-wide initiative to involve youth in the fast-growing field of geospatial technology. Through the National 4-H GIS - GPS Technology Program, 4-H members work closely with partnering entities to undertake projects that give them real-world experience in using the technology, while providing valuable data and finished products to the partners.
The Healthy Communities project will initially involve working cooperatively with several Local Public Health Agencies in the state to map recreational resources in the community. Participants will create a community map that identifies the locations in their neighborhood that encourage physical activity. Youth utilize geospatial technologies to conduct fieldwork and create maps. The results of the project can then be presented to local leadership to increase awareness of healthy recreational resources and denote areas of needed improvement in their communities.
Past projects undertaken by 4-H members with other partnering entities include recording sampling locations for the Missouri Department of Conservation Missouri Stream Team Program and mapping sewer outfalls for the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District along the River des Peres in St. Louis City. Additional Public Health projects are being planned.
Contact:
Jeff Patridge, GIS Analyst
Information Technology Services Division
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
930 Wildwood
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-0570
(573) 522-8330
Web site:
www.dhss.mo.gov/EPHT/