Early bird Discount $20 Off Until February 19th!

Introduction to GIS Mapping

March 19th – April 23rd, 2025

Learn the fundamentals of making a map with a Geographic Information System known as GIS.

No prior experience necessary, everyone is welcome!

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About The Course

Introduction to GIS Mapping is the first in a series of courses focused on digital map creation. This course will lay the foundation for creating functional maps with Geographic Information System (GIS) software.

This is a practical how-to course designed to introduce students to digital mapping tools. We will demystify digital tools’ complexity and translate professional mapmakers’ jargon into easily understood terms. During this class, we will be using QGIS mapping software. QGIS is an open-source (free) application that stands alongside with ESRI ArcGIS (paid service) as the industry standard for digital mapping.

Everyone is welcome – No mapping experience necessary!

Theory

  • Orientation to GIS: What is GIS-a Geographic Information System? What are its strengths and limitations?
  • GIS Deciphered: Get familiar with the language of GIS mapping and industry terms.
  • Data Storage and Management: Understand how GIS data is structured and how to manage project files.
  • Projection / Coordinate system:  Learn how to take a round earth and make a flat map.
  • Digital Map Structure: Learn about the difference between raster and vector data.

Practice

  • Orientation to QGIS: Get oriented to QGIS, its buttons and how to make maps from different forms of data.
  • Creating Map Layers:  Learn to create and manipulate data to map layers such as contour, zone, soil, and aspect maps.
  • Map Composition: Practice the basic rules of cartography and map layout.
  • Finding Data. Learn where to find and access open source data.
  • Make maps: Make multiple digital and printable maps throughout the course.

Class Schedule

Week 1: Introduction and Projections

Live Class

  • Intro to GIS Mapping
  • Mapping ethics and discussion
  • Begin Tutorial 1 – Using QGIS

Homework

  • Finish Tutorial 1- Using QGIS
  • Create a basic printable map
  • Watch Lecture 2:  Vectors, Rasters, &  Point Cloud
  • Start Tutorial 2 – Working with vector files 

Week 2: Vector, raster, and point clouds

Live Class

  • Review Homework / maps made over the past week
  • Q&A
  • Work on Tutorial 2

Homework

  • Watch Lecture 3: Cartography
  • GIS Tutorial 3
    • Symbology for roads, vegetation and water
    • Work with attribute tables
    • Mapping  soil, vegetation and roads

 Week 3: Cartography and Attribute Tables

Live Class

  • Review Homework / maps made over the past week
  • Q&A
  • Work on Tutorial 3

Homework

  • Watch Lecture 4:  Rasters
  • GIS Tutorial 4
    • Mapping Contour, Aspect, Slope, Hill, Shade
    • Working with Layers

Week 4: Raster

Live Class 

  • Review Homework / maps made over the past week
  • Q&A
  • Work on Tutorial 4

Homework

  • GIS Tutorial 5: Cartography
    • Map layout and aesthetics

Week 5: Good map, Bad map

Live Class

  • Presentation: Good map / bad map
  • Review Homework / maps made over the past week
  • Q&A
  • Work on Tutorial 5

Homework

  • Lecture 6: Gathering Data
  • Work on Tutorial 6

Week 6: Finding Data

Live Class

  • Review Homework / maps made over the past week
  • Q&A
  • Work on tutorials, practice getting data and making maps

Questions?

We are here for you. Please reach out at: support@earthactivisttraining.org

MEET YOUR TEACHER

Charles Williams, Lead Instructor

As Earth Activist Training’s program director and senior instructor, Charles has spent the past twenty five years teaching and implementing permaculture. Charles comes to Earth Activist Training through a love of the wild, faith that healthy communities can solve complex problems, and a belief that working with one’s hands is sacred work.

Over the past two decades, he has stewarded many pieces of land throughout the United States, including Diana’s Grove in Missouri, Farm & Wilderness summer camp in Vermont, and Starhawk’s Golden Rabbit Ranch in California. His approach simultaneously promotes the preservation of wild spaces and conservation of the domestic.

His deep respect for and relationship with the divine in nature informs all he does, integrating spiritual practices with land management. Charles also understands the need for healthy community, and knows that skilled human implementation is an essential part of any design. In these challenging times, he finds hope for the future through the interlocking, symbiotic relationship of spirit, community, and action.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

COURSE INFORMATION

  • Location: Virtual
  • Dates: March 19th – April 23rd (6 weeks)
  • Timing: Wednesdays 6:00-7:00 pm PST
  • Helpful Tool: Time Zone Converter
  • Taught by Charles Williams, program director and lead teacher for Earth Activist Training.
  • Each week has 1 hour of live and 1 hour of recorded instruction and weekly homework.
  • All live sessions are recorded and closed-captioned.
  • Access to resources, documentation, and recorded class content in the virtual classroom.

PAYMENT

  • We are dedicated to making our courses as accessible as possible by offering:
  • Early Bird tuition: $280!
  • Sliding-scale tuition: $300-$350
  • Four-part payment plans: $75 at registration with 3 monthly payments of $75.
  • Alumni tuition: $100 to retake this course.
  • Diversity Scholarships available: See below.
  • Group Discounts: See below.
  • All amounts are in US dollars.
  • See below for details

SCHOLARSHIPS & DISCOUNTS

  • Group discounts and Diversity Scholarships available? Yes!
  • Keep reading below.

QUESTIONS? 

We are here for you. Reach us at: support@earthactivisttraining.org

 

FUNDING YOUR EDUCATION

Payment options

Sliding Scale Tuition

  • Early Bird Tuition: $280
  • Standard Tuition: $300
  • Abundant Tuition: $350
  • Every Abundant Tuition helps support a Diversity Scholarship.

Alumni Price

  • Alumni Tuition $100
  • For those who want a refresher; you need to have taken this course with us before.

 

*all amounts in US dolars

PAYMENT PLAN

  • Payment of $75 when you register.
  • Three monthly installments of $75 ($300 total.)
  • Our Student Support Team will assist you in setting this up.

GROUP DISCOUNTS 

  • Groups of 2-5 people – Discount of $50 off each ($250 for each person.)
  • Organizations of 6+ people – Contact support@eat-activist.org for special group rates.
  • You must indicate who is in your group at registration.

    Diversity Scholarships

    DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS

    • Earth Activist Training is committed to increasing the diversity of global permaculture and regenerative land movements.
    • We recognize the history of this land called the United States and Canada, and seek to do what we can to rectify the deep injustices and systems of inequity that formed and continue to shape society today.
    • Diversity Scholarships are available for Indigenous Peoples and People of Color working in or wanting to work in environmental or social justice.
    • These scholarships are 50% off standard tuition ($150) and pay-what-you-can above this. Any amount will be accepted and appreciated.
    • To apply, select “Diversity Scholarship” in the payment section on the registration form below.
    • Earth Activist Training’s Diversity Scholarship fund is supported by donations. Visit our Diversity Fund page if you wish to support our Scholarship program.

    If you have any questions, we are always here to help: support@earthactivisttraining.org

    Register

    Click here to Register

    What Comes Next?

    Are you ready for the next step of your learning journey?

    Your Learning Journey

    Regenerative Land Management (RLM) is a multi-year, advanced permaculture diploma program designed to further your permaculture practice and provide a deep comprehensive training needed to apply regenerative skills in your life!

    Go beyond a basic PDC with our Advanced Permaculture course. This year-long course, taught in four modules, covers key design topics:

    Other classes with Charles Williams 2025

    OUR NETWORK

    A core component of this course – and every Earth Activist Training course – is our private forum: Earth Activist Training Online network. This platform is where you will find course resources, your homework, and a network to connect with classmates and other Earth Activist students.

    Recordings of each class will be available to you as a resource. You will have access to the course for a year after the course ends should you want to deepen your understanding of the material.

    Have a question?

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