GIS Workshop

Basics of GIS will be the next in the WGSA Workshop Series, led by Jenny Asper and Emily Ayscue. This will be help October 21, at 3:30pm in the GIS Lab (building 4 - 4th floor). Description below:

If you have always heard “GIS” but never known how to tackle that beastly program ArcGIS, then Tuesday’s workshop will be great for you.  This will be an intro to GIS workshop that covers absolutely BASIC GIS.  We will talk about what exactly GIS is and some basic background that will help you understand what to do with files.  We will look at file types, where to get data, and how to get your data points into the program.  Lastly, we will look at what you should include in a map document and how to personalize your map.  This will be a brief overview, not meant to help you be a spatial pro, but just to make some basic maps for your own data. 

Relational Database Workshop

The next workshop in the WGSA Workshop Series, led by Dr. Bryan Nuse, will focus on relational databases. This should be a great workshop for anyone working with large data sets, or looking to develop marketable skills for post-graduation endeavors.

October 14th, at 4:00pm in room 4-517


Brief introduction to relational databases, or How to free yourself from the shackles of Excel

Scientific data are almost always hierarchical in their structure, with distinct attributes applying to two or more levels of organization (e.g., trees within vegetation plots within survey points; visits within years, etc.). It is natural and efficient to store such data as a series of tables within a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS, or just “relational database”). However, I’ve observed that many graduate students submit to the siren song of Excel or ArcMap, using them to store their field data mainly because these programs provide useful interfaces for data entry. When it comes time to actually summarize, manipulate and use the data, however, the shortcomings of Excel become very clear; and the learning curve of ArcMap begins to look rather daunting.

That’s why I believe an introduction to databases early in one’s graduate career can be distinctly useful. If you get in the habit of storing data in a RDBMS, you won’t suffer from Excel Syndrome later on. Having knowledge about how your data will eventually be organized can also help you design your field data collection and data entry workflow.

Tailgate!

This Saturday, September 27th, UGA will be playing Tennessee, and what better way to prep to cheer on the Bulldogs than to tailgate with the WGSA? We will be setting up outside of Warnell bright and early at 8:00am as it's a noon game. We'll provide some food, non-alcoholic beverages, coolers and ice. BYOB.

Photo: John Roark Media

In addition, if you bring some shade tents, chairs, lawn games, or pretty much anything that would make this tailgate awesome - you will be handsomely rewarded with a Warnell 14oz. pint glass! Please contact Courtney Brissey (WGSA Treasurer) ahead of time if you plan to volunteer goods or time.

Hope to see you there!

GO DAWGS!

Getting the Dirt on Natural Resources - Miles Ingwers

Miles Ingwers, a PhD student studying tree physiology, discusses his research on natural variation in loblolly pine as it relates to drought tolerance. Check it out!

Shorebird Workshop

If you’ve ever wished you knew a bit more about Georgia’s shorebirds, you’ve got an opportunity without traveling five hours to the coast. During this workshop, we’ll mix it up a bit and instead of learning about new tools, techniques and software, we will have a discussion about ornithology. Rather than focusing on technical aspects of birding, in this Warnell workshop I’ll go over a bit of identification, life history, and talk briefly about how shorebirds are tagged and studied. There will be a lot of pictures, and some tips on how you can help with a few aspects of shorebird conservation. The main purpose is to broaden your horizons, help point out some of the birds you might be sharing the beach with, and show everyone that shorebirds are not that tricky to identify.


Tuesday September 23 at 3:15pm in room 4-517.

GSA Happy Hour

First WGSA meeting of the 2014-2015 academic year!

Fellow Warnellians,

This year’s first, official WGSA Meeting will be held next week on Wednesday, September 3^rd at 6:00pm at Jace Nelson’s house (393 Richard Way). Before complaining about faculty members and data sets, we’ll discuss upcoming events and programs, the new website, and cool swag. Tasty, Georgia bbq and frosty beers will be provided. However, remember that WGSA offers much more than a free meal… Want to improve your resume with volunteer activities?  WGSA!  Need advice on which professors make good committee members?  WGSA! Is there an intruder in your house at this very moment?  Forget WGSA, get out of the house and call the police!

We look forward to sharing some hot pizza and cold beer with all of you at the Graduate Student Reception tonight (a.k.a. “Ring of Fire”) at Flinchum’s Phoenix in Whitehall (doors open at 5:30).

Regards,

WGSA Officers

Ring of Fire

The Warnell graduate student orientation social is tonight, August 28th, at Flinchum's Phoenix at Whitehall. The doors open at 5:30 and the social begins at 6:00. There will be pizza and beer, as well as great opportunities to meet fellow grad students and Warnell faculty. Please plan to attend, and we looking forward to meeting new folks, and caching up with returning students!

You can check out the flier for the event, which has directions and all pertinent info.

Getting the Dirt on Natural Resources - Jace Nelson

Jace Nelson discusses his research on Gulf sturgeon as a host for freshwater mussel metamorphosis. This work is fascinating! If you get an opportunity to go out to Whitehall, be sure to check out Jace's sturgeon.