Earth Data Analysis Center (EDAC) was established at the University of New Mexico (UNM) in 1964 to transfer NASA space-based technology to the private and public sectors. As geospatial technology has progressed EDAC has developed skills to meet those changing requirements. In 1968 EDAC expanded to include a library clearinghouse and in 1992 became a digital data clearinghouse. As remote sensing technology evolved EDAC began processing remote sensing data in 1973 and started image processing in 1979. EDAC acquired GIS software in 1983 and became one of the first ESRI users in New Mexico. In 1990, EDAC began collecting and processing GPS data and in 1999 created an information technologies program within the organization.
EDAC’s vision is to be a center of expertise in the Geospatial Technology. EDAC is well known among Federal agencies; state, local, and tribal governments; professional societies, organizations; and advisory bodies nationally and internationally.
Our mission is to serve the spatial needs of these communities by utilizing Geospatial Technologies. We strive to bridge UNM’s academic units and the external communities via partnerships, by facilitating and stimulating collaborations and by providing professional services. These partnerships include government agencies, private organizations, and regional universities. EDAC is also committed to strengthening graduate education to meet the increasingly complex resource management and decision needs.
EDAC’s staff come from a variety of academic disciplines including Geography, Anthropology, and Geology, and have developed skills in working across disciplinary boundaries with a wide variety of collaborating project partners and end-user communities. Our work with collaborators has allowed us to develop successful projects in a wide variety of domains, including:
