The bulk of the 2008-2009 entries to the Community Atlas have been checked and posted. Remember that this project challenges schools and youth groups to put together a profile of their community, with 10-20 maps and 1000-2500 words. Groups that complete a project within the general guidelines earn ESRI software, maintenance updates, books from ESRI Press, or classes on the ESRI Virtual Campus.

The announcement of the Model Project award will come later this summer. The Community Atlas will return for another year in the fall, and follow the same basic model. Classes and youth groups interested in earning software can start gearing up now by reading through the guidelines and starting with the free tools available.

Charlie Fitzpatrick, ESRI Education Manager