ESRI, Inc. International Users Conference, June 18, 2007 – Service at Sea, a non-profit that provides geo-technology to support habitat assessments and global warming monitoring, launches a four year  journey to deliver mapping technology to conservation groups and K-12 teachers World-Wide. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and mapping technology experts, scientists, and teachers are setting sail from San Diego for the first segment of the circumnavigational route.

 “Service at Sea delivers the GIS tools and training that will allow conservation and heritage organizations to monitor the planet, almost like an observatory, providing decision-makers with the tools to thoroughly track all the elements of their environmental issues”, said Drew Stephens, Founder and Director of Service at Sea. “The effective use of GIS is critical to making well-informed environmental and conservation decisions.”

All aspects of the journey will be chronicled and shared with K-12 teachers worldwide as downloadable teaching units, and live broadcasts via the Internet to augment social studies, geography, conservation, and technology curriculums.

Service at Sea is launching the program from the largest geo-technology conference in the world, the ESRI, Inc. International Users Conference.  The ceremonial launch will occur at 8:45am in downtown San Diego’s harbor at the Water’s edge, between the Marriot South tower and the sail area.  The crew will embark on the 88ft Copper Sky in early July, with the first stop at Cape Decision Lighthouse in Sitka, Alaska.

About Service at Sea:
Service at Sea is a program of The GIS Institute, a 501(c)(3) Non Profit Corporation based in Boulder, CO, to empower conservation organizations to reach their goals through the effective use of mapping technology.  For more information, contact Lisa Nelson at 323-804-0041, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or visit www.serviceatsea.org.