About this virtual field trip
In this virtual field trip you'll:
- discover how GPS, GIS and drones use location information
- explore how location technology helps protect the high country from weeds and introduced pests
- explore how location technology helps people navigate and stay safe
- learn how farmers use GPS and digital mapping tools to manage their work
- see how councils use GIS and online maps to manage and share information.
Video series
Drones and their uses
https://vimeo.com/127646982
Featured expert: Marcus Girvan, Boffa Miskell.
Main themes
- Features of drones and how they work.
- Using drones for practical tasks at Lake Pukaki.
- Benefits and challenges of drone technology.
Key takeaways
- Drones have multiple uses such as wilding tree management, policing, search and rescue, farming, forestry and infrastructure management.
- Drones are safer and cheaper than using helicopters.
Drones monitoring wilding pines
https://vimeo.com/127646984
Featured expert: Marcus Girvan, Boffa Miskell/LINZ.
Main themes
- Using drones to locate and monitor wilding pines.
- Protecting high country environments from invasive trees with location technology.
- Plotting drone flight paths with GPS.
Key takeaways
- Drones can help identify wilding pines and other invasive trees.
- GPS flight paths help track wilding pine control over time.
- Drones could be used in future to spray trees with herbicide.
What is GPS?
https://vimeo.com/127646986
Featured expert: Paula Gentle, Leader - Digital Delivery People, LINZ.
Main themes
- What GPS is and what the acronym stands for.
- How satellites are used to calculate an accurate location.
- The New Zealand survey network and the stations that support it.
- How GPS has changed the way locations are determined in New Zealand.
Key takeaways
- GPS is an important technology for accurately locating things.
- GPS relies on multiple satellites to establish an accurate position.
- GPS works alongside New Zealand's survey network.
GPS in New Zealand
https://vimeo.com/127646988
Featured expert: Paula Gentle, Leader - Digital Delivery People, LINZ.
Main themes
- How GPS is used in New Zealand.
- The shift from older survey data to GPS data for mapping.
- Why New Zealand adopted GPS.
Key takeaways
- GPS has improved the accuracy of mapping in New Zealand.
- GPS has helped standardise mapping co-ordinates across New Zealand.
- GPS has made it easier and faster to measure environmental changes.
- GPS is useful for preparing for natural hazards.
Let's start geocaching
https://vimeo.com/127646992
Main themes
- What geocaching is.
- Challenges involved in geocaching.
- Using location technology to explore places.
Key takeaways
- Geocaching is a fun and practical way to explore locations locally and around the world.
Weeds in the high country
https://vimeo.com/127761903
Featured expert: Neil Bolton, Senior Ranger, Department of Conservation (DOC).
Main themes
- Major weed species found in the Mackenzie Basin.
- How pine trees spread.
- How DOC uses GPS to manage weeds.
Key takeaways
- Weeds are an environmental management issue in the high country.
- GPS supports DOC's weed management work.
Collar that pesky pig
https://vimeo.com/127761906
Featured experts: Scott, Biodiversity Threats and Billy Joe, pig detection dog, DOC.
Main themes
- Using a tracking collar to monitor a working dog and locate workers.
- How working dogs support conservation work.
Key takeaways
- It's important to have maps and technology to avoid getting lost in the bush or backcountry.
- Location technology helps track working animals.
Pest animals in the high country
https://vimeo.com/127761905
Featured expert: Neil Bolton, Senior Ranger, Department of Conservation (DOC).
Main themes
- Common introduced pests found in the high country.
- How tracking collars and GPS are used to find pests and vulnerable species.
Key takeaways
- Introduced pests are an issue in high country environments.
- Tracking collars, using GPS, can support pest control.
Rabbit control and GIS
https://vimeo.com/127761910
Featured expert: Sue Anderson, Ranger, DOC.
Main themes
- Rabbit control in the Mackenzie Basin.
- How GPS tracks shooters so rabbit hotspots can be mapped and the number of kills recorded.
Key takeaways
- GIS helps turn collected data into useful location information.
- GIS and GPS are useful for rabbit control work.
Tracking chamois and thar
https://vimeo.com/127761908
Featured expert: Neil Bolton, Senior Ranger, Department of Conservation (DOC).
Main themes
- Tracking chamois and thar in New Zealand's high country.
- Impacts of chamois and thar on the environment.
Key takeaways
- GPS tracking collars guide shooters to pest populations.
- Location technology helps with conservation in the high country.
What is Agrimap?
https://vimeo.com/127868526
Featured expert: Paul Ruddenclaw, Agrimap expert.
Main themes
- How Agrimap uses GPS to locate places on a farm to do work.
Key takeaways
- Location technology can have practical uses in farming.
Using Agrimap
https://vimeo.com/127868528
Featured expert: Paul Ruddenclaw, Agrimap expert.
Main themes
- Using Agrimap to assign and complete farming tasks.
- Using GPS to help carry out work in the right location.
Key takeaways
- Agrimap uses GPS to assign farming tasks to specific locations.
- Digital location tools support practical farm management.
Location technology for recreation
https://vimeo.com/127868525
Featured expert: Jana Kaeppler, Mackenzie District Council.
Main themes
- How location technology can be used for recreation in the high country.
- How avalanche transceivers and emergency beacons work.
Key takeaways
- GPS technology used in emergency location beacons and avalanche transceivers help people keep safe in the high country.
Using GIS and sharing data
https://vimeo.com/127868524
Featured expert: Jana Kaeppler, Mackenzie District Council.
Main themes
- Using GIS at a local council.
- Using online maps to provide council information.
Key takeaways
- Location data helps councils understand and manage information geographically.
Field trip summary
https://vimeo.com/127872281
Main themes
- Reflecting on this field trip.
Key takeaways
- Think about what you'd like to explore further about location technology in the high country.
Key messages across the video series
1. Location technology supports conservation
GPS, GIS, drones and tracking collars help locate and monitor weeds and introduced pests and support conservation work in the high country.
2. GPS helps us accurately locate things
GPS uses satellite signals to establish accurate positions and works alongside New Zealand's survey network. It has improved the accuracy and efficiency of mapping in New Zealand.
3. Location data helps us understand and manage places
GIS turns location data into useful information that can support work such as pest control and help councils manage and share information geographically.
4. Location technology has practical uses in farming
GPS and digital tools such as Agrimap help farmers identify locations, assign tasks and manage work on farms.
5. Location technology helps people explore and stay safe
GPS can support recreation and geocaching, while location technology in emergency beacons and avalanche transceivers can help people stay safe in the high country.
6. Drones provide another way to collect and use location information
Drones can support conseration, farming, forestry, infrastructure management, policing and search and rescue, including locating and monitoring wildling pines.
Overall LINZ connection
The LINZ contribution focueses on helping people understand:
- how GPS and New Zealand's survey network support accurate positioning
- how location information can support conservation, farming, recreation and local government work.
More resources
Find resources related to field trips and location information: