History

Starting in 1992, the GIS for the Swiss National Park was originally hosted at the Department of Geography of the University of Zurich. Within a few years the demands became so large that a subsidiary was needed operating in the Swiss National Park headquarters in Zernez supporting researchers and park management. Since 2000 the operational tasks are performed in Zernez while the more research oriented tasks are handled in Zurich.

The GIS for the Sihlwald Forest Reserve war originally maintained on a private basis until 1999, when it became also officially hosted at the Department of Geography of the University of Zurich.

Over the years the collaboration between these two institutions became more and more intense in many areas so it was decided to establish a formal plattform for Geographical Information Systems and Science in protected areas.