For ten years, the Applied Geomatics Research Group (AGRG) has been the flagship for applied research at the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC). Applied Geomatics is defined as the application of a suite of Geomatics technologies to social, cultural, environmental and economic (sustainability) issues. Geomatics technologies include remote sensing (airborne and satellite systems), in-situ sensors (e.g. automated weather stations), global positioning (GPS) and total station systems. Usually the data streams from these systems are integrated, analyzed and mapped with a Geographic Information System (GIS), which is software delivered at the desk top, on mobile units or via the Internet.

AGRG is currently working with AuthentiCity on a regional cultural mapping project for The Town of Collingwood, Town of Blue Mountains, Clearview Township and Wasaga Beach. The mapping project is one element of a Regional Economic Development Strategy supported by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development’s Communities in Transition funding program. AuthentiCity is also collaborating with AGRG on a Creative Rural Economy and Cultural Mapping workshop scheduled for April 29th, 2010 in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia.

AGRG in Middleton with its applied research mission complements the training programs offered at the Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS) in Lawrencetown. AGRG in collaboration with Acadia University offers a joint M.Sc in Applied Geomatics. The first year is an Advanced Diploma at COGS. The second year is a close collaboration between AGRG and the university.

AGRG partners with the private sector on research projects funded by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the Natural Sciences ad Engineering Research Council (NSERC). AGRG works with both provincial and federal government departments on best practices of Geomatics. This covers policies related to the sharing of digital geographic information and also the role of the citizen in volunteered geographic information (VGI). This includes concerns of ownership, maintenance and updating of local knowledge which can validate and complement government databases.