Good starting place for exploring GIS topics and creating maps.
ESRI web site. Contains lots of info about GIS, software, data, etc.
Forests and Drylands Programme (UNEP-WCMC)
The programme produces integrated and accessible information on the
conservation of the world's forests and their biodiversity, as well as
providing support in managing this information. Nice site for interactive
printable maps with information and links to forest data worldwide.
GIS, GPS, and Technology in Geography
Information and resources about computerized mapping, computerized
navigation, satellites, and other aspects of technology in geography.
DATA AND MAPS
National Geographic Map Machine
Map categories include: World Themes, U.S. Themes, Historical Maps,
Flags and Facts, and Wild World (Global 200: Priority Areas, Terrestrial
Global Land Cover Characterization
1km global land cover site. Data from this site has been downloaded and
converted into ArcView readable format and will be available soon on the
MBG GIS web site. This site gives you background information on how it was
produced, at what scale, etc.
Federal Geographic Data Committee
Contains link to the National Geospatial Data Clearinghouse, a collection of over 250 spatial data servers.
GIS Date Depot
Free data site searchable by Country - 1:1,000,000 scale of political
boundaries, rivers, and cites. Available for download in *.e00 format.
See FAQ for how to convert these for use in ArcView.
Query and order satellite images, aerial photographs, and cartographic
products through the U.S. Geological Survey. Various U.S. and global data
sets, some available for download, including Digital Elevation Models,
Climate, Geology, etc.
Alexandria Digital Library Project
Jump station for various digital libraries, maps, and gazetteers.
Center for Applied Biodiversity Science: GIS
Provides links to global vegetation data and related web sites.
OTHER GIS SOFTWARE SITES
Scaled down version of ArcView that uses broad scale climate data for
estimating climatic variables associated with occurrence data.
User-friendly software linked to agroclimatic and other databases.
Users can create maps showing the most likely distribution of wild
species in nature. MBG has a copy of the software and user's manual
in the library.
ESRI Conservation Program
The non-profit support arm of ESRI. Want to read some accounts about
how GIS has been used to solve real-world conservation problems? This
site contains over 25 in-depth stories, and much more. Includes information
about ESRI grants and an ECP Grant Application Form.
The Conservation Technology Support Program
CTSP annually awards grants of equipment plus software to tax-exempt
conservation organizations to build their Geographic Information Systems
(GIS) capacity [CTSP will NOT be making any grants during 2001-2002, as
they reassess their organizational direction].