In the last issue of the Bulletin (April 2006), we reported on the statewide GIS strategic planning activities initiated by the Wisconsin Land Information Association (WLIA). Those activities continue, and since our last report, a core team of twenty individuals has met twice (May 23rd and June 19th). The team’s primary goal is to identify critical statewide GIS challenges that will occur over the next 3-5 years, and propose recommendations to meet those challenges. The team intends to release a report on its work this fall.
At their meeting on June 19th in Stevens Point, the Core Team, under the guidance of facilitator Steve West, identified five broad GIS issues to address: the creation of a GIS advisory council, education, funding, data management policies, and services. At the team’s next meeting (July 31st), definitions and profiles of these issues will be developed, and made available for wider public comment and input.
The work of WLIA’s GIS strategic planning team is supported by a grant from the Federal Geographic Data Committee. All meeting notes and other documents associated with the Core Team’s work can be viewed on WLIA’s web site at www.wlia.org.