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NatureServe Vista: Get Started with NatureServe Vista!

This page is designed to direct you to a series of resources that can help you start your Vista Project.

Is Vista the right tool for me?

Vista was specifically designed to support non-GIS and non-conservation managers (as well as experts) to assist conservation planning and integration of conservation with other assessment and planning activities. Vista, however, covers a very broad suite of functions and therefore requires the support of experts to build the database and train end users in the analytical and planning functions. Vista is designed to deliver defensible science-based planning and therefore requires the involvement of subject matter expertise and initially may appear complex to apply. No one likes to read software documentation (user manuals) but spending a little time with the documentation will likely save you hours or even days of frustration. Begin with our Fact Sheet and FAQs as well as the Introduction and Get Started sections of the Vista User?s Manual. These sections provide guidance and examples that will help you decide if Vista is the right tool for you. Scan our selection of case studies to see where we?ve used Vista to successfully manage conservation planning projects.

Do I have the right software platform to run Vista?

Use the System Requirements page as a checklist to make sure your system is compatible with Vista.

Can I use sample data set to get acquainted with the software?

In the Get Started section of the User?s Manual we have a short tutorial that uses our sample dataset from Orange County, Florida. Explore the scenarios, scenario evaluations and conservation value summaries that are already included with the dataset.

I understand that Vista is both a process and software. Can you help me understand and get started with the process?

The Introduction section of the User?s Manual contains guidance on the planning process that is recommended for Vista and there are brief descriptions for applying Vista to a variety of common planning and assessment applications Also, try looking at the Guide to Soliciting Expert Input and the spreadsheet tool that were put together to help guide a project manager through the process of soliciting expert input, a key part of the planning process.

Remember that every planning project is different. Depending on the nature of your project, some Vista inputs and results will be more important than others. Knowing what?s important can help you focus your time and resources. Consider setting up a Vista Support Contract or another NatureServe service to help ?co-pilot? you through some of the process steps.

I get the idea? what are some additional resources that can help me expand the Vista?s functionality?

Under the Other Useful Tools section we offer links to software that Vista is designed to interoperate with, including Marxan (for spatial planning & optimization) and NOAA?s N-SPECT (for water quality). We also offer and continue to build tools that add functionality when used with Vista.