It's Wednesday, which means you're probably thinking about how you'll spend your weekend. If you're interested in a nature walk, Jonathon Colman of The Nature Conservancy has a treat for you. Check out their new map, which lets you find areas they've protected that you can visit. A nice little Google Maps integration!

As we announced last week, Google Earth has launched a new nonprofit outreach initiative. Google Earth Outreach was announced on June 26 at an event in New York City, and now you can view video of that event on the Google blog.

I've actually watched the whole video now and have to say that I'm really impressed. I'm impressed because it's not just a product launch, it's an inspiration. They did a great job of highlighting organizations that have been using Google Earth already - a great way to spark your imagination!

It was also inspiring because the nonprofits highlighted at the event are doing amazing work, and the mapping technology really brings it to life. In our line of work, it's easy to feel disconnected from mission. But these are all very clear examples of technology helping to make social change. You'll get to hear from Jane Goodall and the Jane Goodall Foundation, the UN Foundation, and Earthwatch. These and other examples are also available on the Google Earth Outreach site.

The new Google Earth Initiative for Nonprofits will be launched next week in NYC. As I mentioned in a previous post, there have been many amazing applications of Google Earth by and for nonprofits and their causes recently. If you're looking for some inspiration about how to use Google Earth for good (or you just need an eye-opening way to spend an hour today), you should check out the Google Earth Gallery, where you can find maps of the world's oil consumption, Somalia refugee migration, or the destruction of villages in Darfur. (You'll need to download Google Earth to appreciate these examples in all their glory.)

No word yet on what the new program will entail, but Google does tend to do things in style, so I'm certainly looking forward to finding out. Here are the details of the event:

Speakers include:

• Jane Goodall, Founder, the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace
• Kathy Bushkin Calvin, Executive Vice President, United Nations Foundation
• Edward Wilson, President and CEO, Earthwatch Institute
• Elliot Schrage, Vice President, Global Communications and Public Affairs, Google
• John Hanke, Director, Google Earth and Maps

Lucky for us, Google WILL be posting a full video of the event online after it happens, so check back for a link.

A picture is worth a thousand words, but, if you use it right, it might also be worth the life you change or the next donation you receive. The nonprofit sector is steeped in data, but rattling of statistics doesn't articulate the need for or impact of your work. For that, you need a picture.

GIS (Geographic Information Systems) data mapping is one of the best ways to add impact to your information. Resources include DataPlace, which offers a free set of online GIS tools tied to reliable data sources like the U.S. Census Bureau. In NTEN's upcoming webinar, we will show how nonprofit organizations use GIS mapping to make their case to funders and other stakeholders. Case studies include:

• Food banks needing to demonstrate to funders that they are offering services in the right areas.
• Advocacy organizations using elections data to strategize for the next campaign.
• Local community development corporations wanting to determine whether the funding and services they provide to smaller organizations are reaching the areas where their target population lives.

Data takes on meaning only when you use it effectively. Join us on Tuesday, June 19th and add another tool to your kit.

Presented by Troy Anderson, DataPlace

> Register Now!

I'm directionally challenged, which is to say that I get lost. A lot. Nearly every time I drive somewhere. Or walk. At any rate, I have found Google Earth to be the best defense against getting lost. Being able to fly virtually from point A to point B has really helped me understand how things are laid out here in my new home of Portland, OR. I get lost a little less now. Which is awesome.

As it turns out, lots of nonprofits are actually using Google Earth to give whole communities direction -- on how to make their world a better place. (Nice segue, don't you think?) Check out this article on CNET.

When you're done reading the article, register for our upcoming webinar on this very subject: Picture This: Using Data to Map Your Impact.