Great Plains Center produces digital ecotourism map

            The University of Nebraska's Center for Great Plains Studies has turned its free printed map of the top ecotourism sites in the Great Plains into an interactive Web version.

            The map features the top 50 ecotourism sites in eight states, chosen by a survey of naturalists from the region. Ecotourism generates critical revenue for funding conservation initiatives, increases public awareness and support of conservation and helps nearby human communities to thrive economically.

            The new digital version features descriptions, photos, contact information and travel instructions for each site. It works on desktops and mobile devices to allow people to see what sites are close to their location. It was developed for the center by a team from EdMedia led by Nicholas Colgrave and Vishal Singh. The map is available at http://ecogreatplains.org.

            The center is asking the public for helping filling out the photos for some of the locations. If you have a photo of one of the sites, send it to greatplains.reachingout@unl.edu.

            Printed maps are still available at the Center for Great Plains Studies, 1155 Q St.

            The Center for Great Plains Studies is a regional research and teaching program established in 1976 at University of Nebraska. For more information, contact the Center for Great Plains Studies by phone at 402-472-3082; e-mail at greatplains.reachingout@unl.edu; or visit its website, http://www.unl.edu/plains.

Writer: Katie Nieland