[MassChestnutOrchards] TACF Database Project - We Need Your Help!

[Garrett A. Smith]

Hi Kendra,

I can't promise to attend regular weekly meetings, but I would suggest  
a feature I would love to see in the database, namely a good set of  
maps that show, state by state, and at small scale for the whole  
historical range, TACF-related plantings, locations of identified  
American survivors, and any other relevant chestnut-related locations,  
against the background of the historic occurrence of the tree.  The  
small-scale presentation should extend far enough to include outliers  
like the Wisconsin stand of survivors, and the recent coal mine  
restoration project in central Kentucky.

If nothing else, such a set of maps would help to impress potential  
donors of the widespread, serious nature of the Foundation's efforts.

Garrett


On Dec 14, 2009, at 4:45 PM, Kendra Gurney wrote:

> Dear TACF Members –
>
> TACF is embarking on the exciting task of developing an on-line  
> database to house all of our science program data.  We have worked  
> on this project in the past, however funding limitations have held  
> back the potential of these projects.
>
> We are currently undertaking a very structured approach to planning  
> the database in hopes that we can identify all the data we need to  
> track, who will be using it and how.  This more structured approach,  
> being overseen by CT Chapter President Bill Adamsen, will arm TACF  
> with the necessary information to raise the funds and put the  
> project out properly for bid.
>
> To do this, though, there's A TON of planning to finish and we need  
> your help!
>
> There are really two levels of assistance from chapter members that  
> would add great value to our database team.  To see what is involved  
> so far, please see the attached project charter.
>
> PLANNING PHASE
>
> In the planning phase, we could use a small contingent of chapter  
> representatives (2-4) to make sure we are thinking about this in a  
> way that will work for all users.  The planning phase began last  
> week with a 2½ hour conference call, and we plan to continue with  
> these kinds of weekly meetings, along with take-away assignments.   
> The planning phase will not be “easy” but the more people really  
> thinking about how to best structure the database, the better.   
> Meetings are held on Tuesdays at 9:00 am and at this point we are  
> meeting every Tuesday between now and the end of January, with the  
> exception of Dec 29th.  We’d love to have your input if you have the  
> time and interest.
>
> USER ACCEPTANCE TRAINING
>
> If you are interested but can’t commit to the amount of time  
> required for planning, we will also need members willing to test the  
> system once we have a prototype.  If you are interested in helping  
> with the testing phase, please let us know.  There will certainly be  
> some bugs to work out at first, and the more users trying different  
> things, the quicker we can identify and remedy problems.
>
> Please let us know if you are interested in helping out with either  
> (or both) of these phases of the database project.  It would be  
> great to have a representative from each chapter involved in some  
> way.  We contacted you because we thought you would be great  
> candidates for assisting with this project, however if there are  
> others in the organization you think we should reach out to, please  
> forward this information along.  If you are really interested in  
> becoming involved please let us know ASAP.  We would love to have  
> some members participate in our Dec 22nd meeting (and beyond!).
>
> Thanks!
>
> Kendra and Sara
>
> Kendra Gurney
> The American Chestnut Foundation®
> New England Regional Science Coordinator
> USFS Northern Research Station
> 705 Spear Street
> South Burlington, VT 05403
> Tel: 802.951.6771 x1350 Fax: 802.951.6368
> Cell: 802.999.8706
> Kendra at acf.org or kgurney at uvm.edu
>
>  Sara Fern Fitzsimmons
> Northern Appalachian Regional Science Coordinator
> The American Chestnut Foundation®
> The Pennsylvania State University
> 206 Forest Resources Lab
> University Park, PA 16802
>
> e-mail: sara at acf.org
> phone (office): 814-863-7192
> phone (cell): 814-404-6013
> fax: 814-863-3600
>
> http://chestnut.cas.psu.edu
> http://www.acf.org
> http://www.patacf.org
>
> <1.1. TACF Database Project Charter (Read-Only).pdf>

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