What is a Global Positioning System and how does it help New York State?
The Global Positioning System, GPS for short, is a worldwide navigational and mapping system developed and maintained by the United States Department of Defense. Twenty-four GPS satellites, which orbit the earth, are being continuously monitored by ground stations located worldwide. The satellites gather information about the earth. This information includes data on weather conditions, natural disasters, geography, topography, soil and air quality. Signals from the satellites can be detected by anyone with a GPS receiver. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation maintains a GPS receiver at the Wildlife Resources Center, 108 Game Farm Road in Delmar, NY. Information collected by the Delmar GPS receiver is used along with a Geographic Information System to help protect New York State’s environment and natural resources.
