Over twenty interested professionals, engineers, technicians and experts from different disciplines participated in the session

The USAID-funded Supporting Activities that Value the Environment (SAVE) program organized the fourth in a series of interactive meetings of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Users Group on January 30, 2008. Over twenty interested professionals, engineers, technicians and experts from different disciplines participated in the session where SAVE’s GIS experts James Price and Can Kara discussed ArcGIS software applications, SAVE’s ongoing GIS-related activities and upcoming training opportunities. Focusing on possible practical applications of GIS, the group discussed geo-coding, geo-referencing, rectification and digitization of maps and used case studies related to agricultural parceling; water-pipe networks; street names and locations; and cultural monuments.

The session was part of SAVE’s overall work to build local capacity to better protect and manage Cyprus’ valuable natural and cultural resources. SAVE combines work on environmental protection, especially water management, with cultural heritage conservation, preservation, and restoration. Like all U.S.-funded programs in Cyprus, SAVE is aimed at facilitating reunification of the island, including through encouraging responsible economic development and sound environmental management.