BTAA-GIN Collection Stories

Interviewer: Caroline Kayko, Map and Geospatial Data Librarian, University of Michigan Michigan Sea Grant logo This interview is part of our Researcher Interview series, spotlighting the work being done creating and using GIS data at the Big Ten Academic Alliance institutions.  Name: El Lower Title: GLANSIS Research Associate Department/Center/Unit: Michigan Sea Grant, SEAS Preferred Web Link for department directory page or center/lab page: https://www.glerl.noaa.gov/glansis/index.html Background: The Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System (GLANSIS) is a NOAA-led inter-agency database designed to be a "one-stop shop" for information about introduced aquatic species in the Great Lakes. The database hosts information on identification, ecology, distribution, risk assessments, management strategies, and more for 180+ aquatic invaders in the region, and operates in partnership with Michigan Sea Grant and University of Michigan's School for Environm...

Interviewer: Kathleen Weessies. This interview is part of our Data Provider Series , which highlights local governments and institutions that offer open GIS data. In each interview, providers tell us about their missions and data resources. We hope this will be a great way for readers to learn more about local GIS developments and new initiatives.

By Theresa Quill and Jennifer Liss This interview is part of our Data Provider Series, which highlights local governments and institutions that offer open GIS data. In each interview, providers tell us about their missions and data resources. We hope this will be a great way for readers to learn more about local GIS developments and new initiatives. Name: Laura Haley Title: GIS Manager Division/Department: Indiana Geological & Water Survey Website: https://bloomington.in.gov/gis                City of Bloomington Logo Which departments(s) in your city is the steward of your geospatial data? What other activities are you responsible for? The City's Information & Technology Services (ITS) Department is primarily responsible for the City's geospatial data. We also have data stewards in the City Utilities Department for data specific to their operations. We are working more with the Planning and Transportation and Engineering Departme...

By Shirley Li This interview is part of our Data Provider Series, which highlights local governments and institutions that offer open GIS data. In each interview, providers tell us about their missions and data resources. We hope this will be a great way for readers to learn more about local GIS developments and new initiatives. Name: Gary Motz Title: Assistant Director for Information Services Division/Department: Indiana Geological & Water Survey Website: https://igws.indiana.edu/ Screenshot of the IndianaMap Map Viewer. ( https://maps.indiana.edu/ ) What is the mission of your agency? The mission of the Indiana Geological Water and Geological Survey (IGWS) is to provide geological information for the energy, mineral, and water resources of Indiana. Almost all of our natural resources are very geospatially focused. We maintain a number of data platforms for disseminating and sharing geospatially focused information. How long has your agency created and/or maintained geospatia...

By Wenjie Wang This interview is part of our Data Provider Series, which highlights local governments and institutions that offer open GIS data. In each interview, providers tell us about their missions and data resources. We hope this will be a great way for readers to learn more about local GIS developments and new initiatives. Name: Mark Yacucci Title: Head-Geoscience Information Division/Department: Illinois State Geological Survey Website: https://isgs.illinois.edu/ Please briefly describe your role and what is the mission of your agency? The Prairie Research Institute benefits the people, economy, and environment of Illinois, delivering impact to every corner of the state. Our staff apply scientific knowledge and data in geology, ecology and biodiversity, archaeology, water, weather and climate, pollution prevention, hazardous waste management, and sustainable energy. PRI comprises five state scientific surveys: the Illinois Natural History Survey , Illinois State Archaeologi...

By Jay Bowen This interview is part of our Data Provider Series, which highlights local governments and institutions that offer open GIS data. In each interview, providers tell us about their missions and data resources. We hope this will be a great way for readers to learn more about local GIS developments and new initiatives. Name : Casey James Kohrt Title: Geospatial Administrator Division/Department: Iowa Department of Natural Resources, GIS Department Website: https://geodata.iowa.gov How long has the Iowa DNR created or maintained geospatial data? The Iowa DNR has been creating geospatial data dating to the late 1980s. It was created out of the Groundwater Protection Act, where they were to develop a map of groundwater vulnerabilities. Many datasets came out of that project, including PLSS, soils, and geology, mostly from digitizing paper maps on a digitizing table. Many projects continued, and we had a nice ‘library’ of data. We called it the NRGIS Library. In the Flood of 19...

By Milan Budhathoki This interview is part of our Data Provider Series, which highlights local governments and institutions that offer open GIS data. In each interview, providers tell us about their missions and data resources. We hope this will be a great way for readers to learn more about local GIS developments and new initiatives. Name: Julia Fischer Title: Director, Data Services and the Maryland Geographic Information Officer (GIO) Division/Department: Maryland Department of Information Technology (DoIT) Website: https://imap.maryland.gov Please briefly describe your role and what is the mission of your agency? Julia: As the Maryland Geographic Information Officer (GIO) and the Director, Data Services within the Maryland Department of Information Technology (DoIT), I am responsible for leading, advancing and promoting the data services program. This program consists of three main technologies: Business Intelligence (BI), Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Open Data (OD)...

By Cecilia Smith This interview is part of our Data Provider Series, which highlights local governments and institutions that offer open GIS data. In each interview, providers tell us about their missions and data resources. We hope this will be a great way for readers to learn more about local GIS developments and new initiatives.            “Cookie County” a cookie cutter made by the      Cook County GIS Department staff for GIS Day 2019. Interviewee Name: Todd Schuble Title: GIS Manager Division/Department: Cook County Bureau of Technology, GIS Department Website: https://www.cookcountyil.gov/agency/geographic-information-systems-gis-0 Can you describe how GIS is deployed organizationally by Cook County Government? Which units are involved and what is your mission? The Cook County Bureau of Technology’s GIS Department (BOT/GIS) falls under the jurisdiction of the Cook County President’s Office. All other bureaus and departments that report...

By Caroline Kayko and Nicole Scholtz posted: Mar 10, 2021Interviewers: Caroline Kayko and Nicole Scholtz This interview is part of our Data Provider Series, which highlights local governments and institutions that offer open GIS data. In each interview, providers tell us about their missions and data resources. We hope this will be a great way for readers to learn more about local GIS developments and new initiatives. The Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum (MBGNA) is one organization with two locations at the University of Michigan. The locations feature gardens, trails, exhibits, a conservatory and more. MBGNA also creates many geospatial datasets that map their resources. The datasets are published on an ArcGIS Hub site here . Featured Story Maps on MBGNA ArcGIS Hub Conservatory Paths at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens Interviewee Name: Maricela Avalos Title: Data & GIS Specialist Division/Department: Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum, University ...

By Joshua Sadvari and Daniel Dotson This interview is part of our Data Provider Series, which highlights local governments and institutions that offer open GIS data. In each interview, providers tell us about their missions and data resources. We hope this will be a great way for readers to learn more about local GIS developments and new initiatives. Name: Aaron Schill Title: Director of Data & Mapping Division/Department: Data & Mapping, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) Website: www.morpc.org/data 1) Can you describe MORPC's mission and talk a little bit about how the geospatial data you create support that mission? MORPC is Central Ohio’s regional council for nearly 75 members comprised of counties, cities, villages, townships, and regional organizations in the 15-county region. We take pride in bringing communities of all sizes and interests together to collaborate on best practices and plan for the future of our growing region. We do this through a variety...