Information You Can Use
Pennsylvania's Official Public Access Geospatial Information Clearinghouse Pennsylvania Spatial Data Access (PASDA)
PASDA was developed as a service to the citizens, governments, and businesses of the Commonwealth. PASDA is a cooperative project of the Governor's Office of Administration, Office for Information Technology, Bureau of Geospatial Technologies and Penn State Institutes for the Environment of the Pennsylvania State University. Funding and support is provided by the Pennsylvania Office for Information Technology, Bureau of Geospatial Technologies.
PASDA serves as the the Commonwealth's node on the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), Geospatial One Stop, and the National Biological Information Infrastructure. PASDA is also a member of the Geography Network
The data made available through PASDA is provided by our data partners to encourage the widespread sharing of geospatial data, eliminate the creation of redundant data sets, and to further build an inventory (through the development and hosting of metadata) of available data relevant to the Commonwealth. PASDA serves as a resource for locating data throughout the Commonwealth through its data storage, interactive mapping/webgis applications, and metadata/documentation efforts.
Useful elements on PASDA’s website include:
- PASDA's GIS Tutorials
- Pennsylvania Map Gallery
- Teacher Resource Center
- Watershed and Conservation Information Resources
- GIS Education in Pennsylvania
- Metadata Resources
- GIS Glossary
PASDA services are provided free of charge to all users. The data on PASDA is provided by federal, state, local and regional government agencies, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions throughout the region. The services available from the PASDA team include:
- The PASDA Staff
- Data Partners
- Publications
- Participate in PASDA
- Data Liaison Activities
PASDA staff work directly with state agencies to identify, document, and provide access to agency data. - Inventory and Documentation (Metadata)
PASDA will create FGDC standard metadata free of charge for any agency, organization, or data stakeholder. The metadata will also be hosted by PASDA for the purposes of developing the state data inventory. - Data Storage and Access
PASDA works directly with state and federal agencies, local and regional governments, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions to provide access to the widest variety of data possible. There is no fee to store or provide access to data via the PASDA clearinghouse. - Metadata and PASDA Training
PASDA staff provide free metadata training and training in the use of PASDA for individual organizations and groups. PASDA offers formal training twice a year at different locations throughout the Commonwealth. If you would like to participate in or host a metadata or PASDA training session, please contact pasda@psu.edu. - Educational Outreach
PASDA works with non-profit organizations such as watershed groups and K-12 schools to promote the knowledge and use of GIS. PASDA develops lessons, tutorials, and guidelines for new GIS users. - Presentations & Seminars
PASDA staff offer seminars and presentations at meetings, conferences, and schools. - User Assistance
PASDA is committed to providing timely user assistance with the PASDA website and the data available through PASDA.
Since PASDA is not the originator of the data found on the site, specific questions about data sets are often best directed toward the data contact listed in the metadata. However, feel free to contact PASDA with any question. - PASDA Data on CD-ROM
All data on PASDA can be obtained on CD-ROM through a cooperative arrangement with the Pennsylvania State Data Center for a nominal charge.
Questions? For more information on PASDA services, suggestions, questions, or comments contact pasda@psu.edu or the PASDA Coordinator at 814-863-0104.
