What a year 2024 was! I had the great honor of helping organize the 2024 Young Professional Initiative, where young professionals in the GIS industry attended virtual coffee chats, informative lunch-and-learns, and gathered for both an all-day workshop and an end-of-year social. I met so many inspiring YPs at these events. One thing I find myself saying every single time is: Get involved with this organization today. And many of them have!

But what does getting involved look like? What are the benefits? How do you run for the board? Let’s dive in.

What Does Getting Involved Look Like?

First and foremost, volunteering for this organization is a "choose your own adventure"—you can be as involved as you're comfortable with. When I started way back in 2014, I was a shy introvert who only took up the task because the conference booklet committee was something I could do without talking to too many strangers, and I had a buddy to split the work with.

Becoming a Member

The first step to getting involved with WAGISA is becoming a member. Members gain access to our annual in-person meeting, our event calendar, and discounts on future events. We work hard to keep membership costs low—just $25 for professionals and $15 for students. Membership dues support our many professional development opportunities, special interest group events, scholarships, and awards. Become a member today!

Conference Planning Committee

Our conference committee is a dynamic mix of veteran volunteers and promising newcomers. There’s always something to do! If you want to help with planning, I highly recommend joining the committee. We’ll help you find a role that suits your skills—all we ask is that you reliably attend meetings and complete your action items. If you want to ease into it, ask to be paired with an experienced volunteer. If you’re eager to showcase your leadership skills, consider chairing a subcommittee. For more information and to get involved for 2025 email: cc@wagisa.org

Conference Volunteer

If you can't commit to the planning team, consider being a day-of volunteer. This means helping set up, running the registration desk, assisting the conference coordinator, or cleaning up after the event. It’s a great way to work with people in person—and having a task while networking makes talking with strangers easier!

Committee Member

Beyond the Conference Committee, we have several other regular committees that you can join and contribute to year round.

●     Marketing Committee – Develops social media posts, designs logos, posts jobs to our job board, and directs WAGISA’s outward communication.

●     Summit Scoop Committee – Curates and publishes blog content by writing articles, gathering stories, editing submissions, and sharing posts from members, sponsors, and WAGISA board members.

●     Community Engagement Committee – Organizes educational opportunities, outreach to Washington colleges and universities, facilities the Dick Thomas Student Competition, and coordinates Young Professional Initiative events.

●     Professional Development – Plan workshops, networking events for members and GIS professionals.

●     Special Interest Groups – Support our members in more targeted groups. WAGISA SIGS include Washington Local Government Leaders (WGGL) and Drones.

What Are the Benefits of Getting Involved?

Personal Development

Being a volunteer in this community offers immense personal growth. I’ve enhanced my networking skills by attending events, honed my facilitation abilities by leading meetings and committees, improved my web development expertise by working on the WAGISA webpage, and strengthened my problem-solving skills by navigating challenging situations. And I’m not alone—here’s are what two board members have told me unsolicited:

“A lot of the confidence I now possess, the composure that seemingly comes from nowhere, and the project structure I can provide comes from being a part of this organization.”

“It's so exciting to be in a position where I can grow my leadership skills and be involved in a committee/initiative I truly believe in!”

GISP Points

Volunteer work is valuable, but did you know you can quantify it for your GISP certification? To meet the GISP or renewal requirements, you need at least 8 points in the “Contributions to the Profession” category. Being a WAGISA member earns you 1 point per year, so in 8 years, you’d meet the requirement. However, if you’re a regular conference committee volunteer, you earn an additional 2 points annually—meaning you could qualify in just 3 years! Serving on a committee or the board also earns you 2 points per year. Before you know it, you’ll have more points than you need! https://www.gisci.org/Portals/0/Applicants/CON_1_The_Contributions_to_the_Profession_Point_Schedule.pdf

Making Connections That Can Help Your Career

At the 2018 Washington GIS Conference, I found myself sitting next to someone I recognized. After sneaking a look, I realized it was Steve from the City of Tacoma. Steve and I had briefly worked together via email while organizing the conference. After introducing myself, we started chatting—then had an in-depth discussion about Web AppBuilder. Just months later, I found myself interviewing for a job with Steve!

One of the biggest benefits of being involved with WAGISA is the opportunity to work with some of the most talented, friendly professionals—many of whom could become your future colleagues, mentors, or hiring managers.

How Do You Run for the Board?

I was a WAGISA volunteer for about four years before deciding to run for the board. According to our bylaws, the only requirement to run is being a dues-paying member. However, the strongest candidates have engaged with the WAGISA community through volunteer work, presentations, workshops, or attending meetings.

Being a board member is a significant commitment. Members-at-Large are expected to:

●     Attend monthly remote board meetings.

●     Participate in at least one additional committee meeting per month (and are encouraged to chair a committee).

●     Assist with conference planning and/or volunteer for four hours during the annual conference.

You can read more about the qualifications and responsibilities here:https://wagisa.org/Member-At-Large. Being a board member is also the best pathway to running for an executive position like Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President, or President. So if you want to become president someday, start volunteering tomorrow!

Final Thoughts

I often talk about the importance of personal branding, and for me, it all started by showing up and working hard for this organization. It has paid off in my career in more ways than I can count, which is why I always recommend it to both young and experienced professionals alike.

If you have any questions about my experience or how to get involved, my door is always open. Email me at president@wagisa.org.

Looking forward to seeing you all in June!

Christina Chelf, Current President

With most data, applications, and processes increasingly hosted and accessed through cloud platforms, cloud-based GIS is rapidly becoming the status quo. GIS Managers are now being asked to balance modernization efforts along with their daily workloads - effectively pushing innovation and growth to the sidelines. To balance competing priorities, GIS and IT departments must collaborate more closely than ever, and the complexity of managing GIS systems and ensuring they are always up-to-date, secure, and scalable can be a challenge.

Since geospatial data can be stored, processed, and analyzed more easily with cloud computing, it’s no surprise that almost 70% of organizations have at least one application in the cloud. As the demand for cloud solutions increases, GIS professionals are seeking a way to fully modernize, while simultaneously lightening their administrative workload. GIS Managed Cloud Services offers a way for GIS professionals to take the day-to-day GIS administration burden off their plate, while still fully benefiting from cloud-powered ArcGIS Enterprise.

Why GIS in the Cloud?

The number one reason to move from on-premise to the cloud is simple - without the constraints of on-premise systems, management, and infrastructure - your organization is free to build an ArcGIS Enterprise environment that works not only for your current reality, but supports where you are headed.

Other benefits of the cloud include:

●   Scalability - quickly responding to peak demands and lower capacity when necessary

●   Modernization - ensuring your GIS is ready for the future and any software release

●   Better Collaboration - team accessibility from anywhere in the world at any time;

●   Enhanced Reliability - reducing downtimes and lowering data loss risk

●   Resource optimization - reducing your costs and freeing up staff to focus on other important tasks

What does GIS in the Cloud Look Like?

The GIS that you work with everyday - your servers, your content, your applications, your users - it looks & functions much the same as it does if it were on-premise.  They can be Base deployments, like we see here, or they can be much larger, complex systems

Like this one.  This is obviously a much larger system, including a Dev, Stage, and Prod environment, with a Direct Connect back to the on-prem system.  But, the point being, these are still servers, with ArcGIS Enterprise and all the other applications and integrations that you may have now.  Again, these systems look very much the same as they would on premise.

Why GIS Managed Cloud Services?

Benefits of ROK’s GIS Managed Cloud Services

●   We architect, deploy, and manage your ArcGIS in the Cloud - so you don’t have to! We empower your organization to grow, thrive, and innovate.

●   24/7 US Based Customer Support - You’re supported 100% of the time. A ROK Technologies employee is always there to help.

●   Quick & Easy Cloud Migration - You can get started ASAP.

●   Custom Architecture - We custom build a GIS environment that works for you, setting you up for continued growth and future success.

●   Transparency - You have full access to your environment and data. You’ll know exactly how your system is performing at any given time.

●   We have deep expertise in Cloud, GIS, and IT and are continually honing our skillset with up-to-date knowledge.. We guarantee efficient and expedient problem solving.

GIS in the Cloud: Skies the Limit

GIS organizations of all sizes are moving to the cloud for its scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, making it the preferred option for managing data and applications. We’ve helped hundreds of clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies to small municipalities across all Esri verticals such as AEC, Commercial, Utilities, Telecom, State and Local Government, Oil and Gas, Public Safety, and Transportation take their GIS to the next level. From scalability to reliability, the benefits of the cloud are initiating innovation and growth throughout the geospatial industry.

Learn more about how our GIS Managed Cloud Services can support your journey to the cloud by visiting ROK Technologies.

Contributed by WAGISA Sponsor ROK Technologies' Kate Billings.

The Nearmap Advantage 

In today's fast-paced world, the demand for smarter, more efficient government operations has never been greater. Every decision—from urban planning to infrastructure maintenance—must be rooted in data that is accurate, up-to-date, and actionable. Enter location intelligence: a powerful tool transforming how governments operate, plan, and grow. At the forefront of this revolution is Nearmap, delivering high-resolution aerial imagery and data that empower governments to make faster, better decisions.  

Elevating Decision-Making with Precision 

Every municipality faces the challenge of balancing resources while meeting the needs of its citizens. Outdated or incomplete data can slow down decision-making, delay projects, and balloon budgets. Nearmap solves this problem by providing high-resolution, frequently updated aerial imagery. With Nearmap, governments get access to imagery with a GSD of 4.4-7 cm, meaning it is sharp enough to inspect individual rooftops or sidewalks, and comprehensive enough to analyze entire neighborhoods. 

This means that when a city is planning a road expansion or assessing flood risks, the data used is not just accurate—it’s current. In the fast-evolving landscape of urban development, this level of precision enables governments to avoid costly mistakes and focus on solutions that work the first time. 

Streamlining Asset Management 

Managing a city’s assets—roads, parks, utilities, and public spaces—requires constant monitoring and evaluation. Traditional methods are time-consuming, requiring field inspections, surveys, and manual assessments. Nearmap aerial imagery and location intelligence streamline this entire process. With detailed, up-to-date images, government agencies can remotely inspect infrastructure, track changes, and assess conditions without sending teams on-site. 

For example, Nearmap can provide an aerial view of roads to identify potholes, cracks, or surface deterioration that need repair. This data feeds directly into asset management systems, allowing for proactive maintenance, reducing response times, and ultimately, lowering the cost of repairs. 

Enabling Faster Permitting and Planning 

One of the biggest pain points for local governments is the permit approval process. Whether it’s a residential build, commercial development, or public infrastructure project, the time it takes to review and approve permits can slow down economic growth and frustrate applicants. 

Nearmap up-to-date, high-resolution imagery simplifies and accelerates this process. City planners and permitting departments can verify site conditions, property lines, and building changes without the need for in-person inspections. This level of efficiency doesn’t just benefit government teams—it fast-tracks development, creating a more business-friendly environment and driving economic growth. 

Enhancing Emergency Response and Disaster Management 

In the event of natural disasters like floods, fires, or storms, local governments need to respond quickly and effectively. Nearmap gives agencies the ability to monitor large areas in real-time, providing detailed imagery to assess damage, direct response teams, and plan recovery efforts. By having a clear aerial view of affected zones, governments can make data-driven decisions to deploy resources where they are most needed. 

Additionally, Nearmap allows for before-and-after comparisons. This capability is invaluable when preparing for future events, as cities can better understand how infrastructure held up and where improvements are needed. 

Reducing Costs with Smarter Solutions 

Budget constraints are a constant challenge for local governments. Traditional data collection methods like ground surveys, helicopter flyovers, and manual inspections are not only slow but expensive. Nearmap aerial imagery and location intelligence provide a cost-effective solution that delivers better data faster. By integrating Nearmap into everyday workflows, governments can cut down on the time and money spent on data collection while improving the accuracy and relevance of their insights. 

This also leads to better long-term planning. With access to historical imagery and change detection capabilities, local governments can analyze trends over time, ensuring that today’s decisions will still make sense tomorrow. 

The Future of Government is Data-Driven 

In the age of smart cities and digital transformation, governments that embrace location intelligence are positioning themselves for success. Nearmap solutions provide the tools necessary to improve efficiency, enhance public safety, and streamline operations.

From better planning and asset management to faster permitting and emergency response, the benefits of Nearmap high-resolution aerial imagery and data are clear. 

Governments that leverage Nearmap are not just keeping up—they’re leading the charge

toward a more efficient, data-driven future. The path forward is clear: location intelligence isn’t optional anymore—it’s essential. 

Learn more about how Nearmap can drive efficiency in your local government by visiting Nearmap for Local Government. 

Contributed by WAGISA Sponsor Lany Watkins & Kayla Trentacosta of Nearmap.

WAGISA hosted a Utility Network Summit with City of Bellevue Utilities on November 5^th. The morning started out with breakfast provided by City of Bellevue Utilities while attendees picked up registration badges and WAGISA sticker swag. 

Taylor Dixon, WAGISA Vice President, and Darci Smith, City of Bellevue Utilities, welcomed attendees to open the Utility Network Summit.  

All Summit attendees became WAGISA members as part of their registration and Taylor provided information on the benefits members receive, such as discounts to events and conferences, and opportunities to volunteer and work with WAGISA committees. 64 registrants attended the Summit including 21 current WAGISA members, 20 new WAGISA members, 18 speakers and volunteers, and 5 vendors.

At FLO Analytics (FLO), we often work with clients that have large volumes of spatial and nonspatial data that are siloed or located in various databases controlled by other departments. Fortunately, Esri ArcGIS Enterprise geodatabase users typically have a database management system that natively supports spatial operations, such as Microsoft’s SQL Server or PostGIS. These databases offer spatial and nonspatial SQL functions that can be used to quickly investigate and check data quality; perform analyses; generate buffers and do selections; and customize data sources for map services, dashboards, reports, or data automation tasks. Many of these functions can be performed using a view, which provides a live query of the data each time it is accessed. This allows source data changes —such as a permit status being updated—to be instantly seen as soon as the map is refreshed. 

Figure 1: Selecting parcels that are within a specific zoning area within a SQL view using geometry functions automatically keeps the selection up to date with changes in either dataset.

FLO has worked with several clients to provide SQL views that combine enterprise geodatabase data with other inspection, permitting, financial, and site sampling databases. The views allow each system to manage its own data of record and reduce or remove the need to process data before displaying it on a map or dashboard. Examples include combining parcel or address geometry with permit information, matching sample site locations to a sample results table, or viewing the latest inspection result for a property. When these data are published as a service through ArcGIS Server they can be easily added to a map or dashboard. This reduces the need to duplicate attributes in the GIS or have people update two systems.

Figure 2: An Esri dashboard that consumes SQL views customized for the audience and tool requirements can simplify data management, in this case a table of results and a location dataset are combined to support map and time interactions.

SQL views can also be used in automation efforts—an approach that FLO used when tasked with creating an efficient, high-level summary dataset representing over one million individual sample results. Views and functions were also a crucial part of automating the contaminant sampling collection and reporting workflow of a major fire recovery effort, allowing us to generate property reports as soon as results were confirmed, which was important for tracking status and insurance claims. Spatial functions further expand what is possible—converting geometry types, generating a buffer, or partitioning data by location. For a cemetery database integration, FLO matched GIS plot polygons with a burial data table managed in a separate system. Each polygon was converted to a point, resulting in a stack of burial records that appear in the center of the plot on the map, without the need to manually create the points themselves.

The use of SQL tools and views can make data investigation and evaluation easier and faster, helping with quality control. SQL can quickly generate a list of unique values, count the occurrences of values, calculate dates and differences, concatenate fields, or even conduct spatial queries such as counting the number of address points within a parcel. FLO can set up these tools to help reduce the effort in creating specialized datasets from existing ones, identify data issues, and allow you to bring in data from other systems of record. If you are interested in learning more, please contact us.

Thanks to Flo-Analytics for this article and for their continued support and sponsorship of WAGISA.

You probably would not be reading this if you didn’t already know that GIS is a great tool for parsing information and representing it in a spatial format.  But what if I said that GIS is too good at it… and that GIS makes it too easy to misrepresent your data.  And what if I said that all the amazing data interpretation tools at our availability make it too easy to tell a story with data, rather than to let the data accurately represent reality. 

Ok… example time, right?  Imagine it’s the spring of 2020 again (sorry), and you have been tasked with identifying COVID regulation compliance problem areas in the state and where they might overlap with vulnerable populations.  You are provided with the most recent copy of the Governors COVID compliance complaint data, some limited English proficiency data layers, and the ACS demographics data.  Go forth and do.  Now, what does your analysis look like?  I can tell you what mine looked like.  It was a beautiful heat map with a nice color ramp from purple to green (my favorite) and it very accurately showed… where people live in Washington State.  Turns out, overlying data reliant on the general population is very likely to just show you where the most people congregate.  It was mostly useless (hence there not being a nice pic of it here).  Looked great, told us nothing.  There were a few interesting tidbits in the data.  But, if you had relied on the nice map I had originally produced, you could have confidently held it up and proclaimed that “All cities in Washington are exhibiting high levels of COVID regulation non-compliance!” 

 

Fig.1: The probably all too familiar John Hopkins Covid Dashboard for Washington State.

But that wouldn’t really be true. Say you start over and normalize the compliance complaint data by population statistics?  What might the data say then?  It won’t tell the same story that’s for sure.  Normalizing that data wasn’t exactly easy…  Since the data was open to the public and it was clearly labeled “complaint” well, you can probably already imagine the abundance of inappropriate entries. Political complaints against a certain federal facility had to be filtered out as did anything else that obviously had nothing to do with COVID regulations.    So, after filtering and normalizing the data per capita it returned nothing near as interesting.  A few outliers remained, some of which were almost certainly just exacerbated by population density and job dissatisfaction.  All in a day’s work.  I reported what I found and moved on.

  Fig. 2: A very official looking map to make up for the one I deleted years ago.  This one also just shows where people live.

               So what should I have done instead?  It was a rush job right?  Take data, make map.  Got it.  Well… provided I’d had the time to think it over properly, I should have written out an analysis hypothesis.  Yes, a hypothesis.  Given the available data, normalized for population and filtered for erroneous entries, is there an overlap of areas which have a low COVID Compliance rate and a large LEP population.  Easy enough right?   Essentially, you need to create an analysis plan, and stick to it.  No changing things up because your data returned nothing interesting.  (AKA Data Dredging, it’s bad.)

               I feel like that was a fairly innocuous example (and yes there is more to that story...)  I saw my mistake, corrected it and moved on.  But what if I had wanted to make a statement about low compliance levels? Or even just thought less about what my results meant.  I could have left the map as is, submitted it to the response team and let them sound the alarms (or not).  In his now infamous (at least to geographers) book How to Lie with Maps Mark Monmonier basically spells out all the ways you can purposely or not, deceive with your maps.  Which brings me to example 2:  Do you know which cell phone company has the best coverage area?  They all do, just ask them.  They have the maps to prove it.

   

Fig. 3: Cell phone coverage maps and one 2010 map showing google search comparisons for pizza, guns and strip clubs.  I can’t tell the difference at this scale anyways. Credit to FloatinSheep.org. At least the fun map used an appropriate projection for their data.

        And this is the heart of the problem.  Modern GIS is so powerful, so complex you can easily misrepresent your data either purposefully or not, just by how you symbolize it.  Say you were tasked with presenting sensitive population demographics for your city.  Depending on your color ramp alone you could highlight diversity or deemphasize it.  Take a look at Figure 4.  In this example the exact same data with the exact same color ramp is served up using three different classification models.  Equal interval suddenly looks far more uniform than it sounds. 

  

Fig. 4: Percentage of Populace in Age Dependent Groups (Children and Seniors) symbolized 3 ways.

               So what do you do when your map suddenly comes out as one mono-chrome blob?  Is it ethical to fish around for a histogram classification that highlights the differences in your data?  What if your analysis just doesn’t show what you want?  These are the types of questions a good GIS analyst should be able to parse before beginning an analysis.   Understanding classification methods, data normalization and understanding the nature of your data and more specifically when to employ which classification/normalization method… these are the basics for effectively framing your data to accurately represent reality.  The answer might also involve lots of explanatory text.

     

Fig. 5:  What a map looks like when it really doesn’t say what you want it to. Or, “How to lie poorly with a map”.

       When I was a graduate student, a large part of our early curriculum was based around the discussion of GIS vs GIST.  Geographic Information Systems, vs Geographic information Science and Technology.  Science being the operative word in that debate.  GIS involves a lot of Science, and it is the application of those scientific principles that I felt really gave weight to the argument for Geographic Information Science.  Those principles can and should be applied in the day-to-day work of a GIS Analyst.  Without which, you might just be showing were people live in your next analysis.

Clint Lusk is a Senior GIS Analyst Technical with the City of Tacoma.  He was probably left alone in a basement room full of maps for too long before writing this article and he freely admits that he has to look up histogram classification methods before using them most of the time.

 

About the DTA

The Richard “Dick” Thomas Award (or DTA) was established to honor the Washington state GIS pioneer and mentor, Richard ‘Dick’ Thomas, who passed away in 2006. This award is intended to memoralize Dick’s legacy by continuing his work of encouraging students to excel in their studies and to transition successfully into careers in GIS. The award and competition is held annually at the Washington GIS Conference. WAGISA’s objective is to inspire students to present their original work related to GIS, geography, or geographic research at the annual Washington GIS conference.

Note from DTA Coordinator

The 2024 Washington State GIS Conference was a resounding success, showcasing the innovative spirit and collaborative efforts of the geospatial community. One of the highlights of this year’s Washington GIS Conference was the highly anticipated DTA competition, where four exceptional student presentations took center stage in a conference room full of GIS professionals. Each project demonstrated cutting-edge applications of GIS to address real-world challenges. Attendees were captivated by the creativity, technical expertise, and potential impact of these projects, sparking vibrant discussions and inspiring future collaborations.

We had 10 student presenters in four groups this year. Projects were chosen in a competitive selection process among many impressive submissions.

The 2024 DTA Results:

First Place: HarleyJo Holman, Washington State University, with a project titled, Mountain Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) Habitat in the South Selkirks: Zonal Shifts in Dynamic Landscapes. First place prizes include a check for $500, prize certificate, free one year WAGISA membership,, free entry to the 2025 WAGISA GIS conference, one year ArcGIS personal license, WAGISA tote bag, and an opportunity to submit an article to WAGISA’s blog, The Summit Scoop.

Second Place: Jennifer Hunt and Cameron Berrens, University of Washington - Tacoma, with a project titled, ADUtopia: Unlocking Infill Housing Potential Through GIS. Second place prizes include a check for $250, prize certificate, free one year WAGISA membership, WAGISA tote bag, and an opportunity to submit an article to the Summit Scoop.

Third Place: Christean Jenkins, University of Washington - Tacoma, with a project titled, Investigating a Spatial Relationship Between Air Quality and Low Birth Weights in Tacoma: A Granular Approach. Third place prizes include a check for $125, prize certificate, free one year WAGISA membership, WAGISA tote bag, and an opportunity to submit an article to the Summit Scoop.

Fourth Place: Henry Kessler, Diana Li, and Reed Scott, University of Washington - Seattle, with a project titled, Smoke Ventilation Index Map. Fourth place prizes include a prize certificate, WAGISA tote bag, and an opportunity to submit an article to the Summit Scoop.

2024 DTA Competitors with their prizes during the conference closing session

• A big thanks to this year’s  judges:
•    Ken Charm, 2023 DTA Presenter
•    Shane Dang, TRAC-UW, 2023 DTA Winner
•    Peter Keum, King County DNRP, Wastewater Treatment Division
•    Alex Kirchmeier, UW Department of Geography, 2023 DTA Winner     

Keep reading to view project abstracts, access presentation slides, dashboards and StoryMaps and learn more about the competitor’s experiences with the project!

First Place

Presenter: HarleyJo Holman

Project Title: Mountain Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) Habitat in the South Selkirks: Zonal Shifts in Dynamic Landscapes

Link to Presentation Slides:     DTA_Presentation_Holman.pptx

Abstract:

The ‘deep-snow mountain caribou’ is an ecotype of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) native to northeastern Washington and northern Idaho. These animals use isolated environments with high snowpack levels to forage for typically inaccessible lichens. Due to this specialization, these animals face significant pressure to adapt to climate change and human development. With the relocation of the last individual from Washington state in 2019, mountain caribou are considered a species of greatest conservation need. In this project, a Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) was developed for mountain caribou using a scale-dependent ecology and multi-criterion evaluation. In this context, an HSI is a model used to determine the capacity of a habitat to support mountain caribou based on available resources and constraints. By implementing this index with a Geographic Information System, this study aimed to identify the present size, location, and climate of suitable habitat within four national forests in the South Selkirk region. We predicted that suitable habitat is limited to mountainous environments with elevations over 1800m and climate suitability of at least 75% as these areas lack significant human footprint and retain cooler climate conditions. Results from the suitability analysis estimate that ~12500 ha is >75% suitable for mountain caribou, which is only 0.5% of the total study area. Within these areas, elevations under 1800m have an expected frequency of > 10%. Additionally, climate suitability in these areas display a mean value of 83.4%. These findings support a zonal distribution shift by mountain caribou, where accelerating environmental change causes species to move upwards in elevation to escape less favorable conditions. This upward movement promotes habitat fragmentation and undesirable ecological consequences. Application of this model may provide a starting point for more effective habitat restoration efforts in the South Serlkirk region, and provide insight into other cold-adapted species' distribution.

Second Place

Presenters: Cameron Berrens and Jennifer Hunt

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Project Title: ADUtopia: Unlocking Infill Housing Potential Through GIS

Link to Dashboard: Seaside Solutions: A DADU Capacity Analysis of Eastham (arcgis.com)

Abstract:

In response to the urgent lack of year-round housing in seasonal towns across the U.S.,  ADUtopia introduces a means to find infill housing opportunities in the form of detached Accessory Dwelling Units—a smaller, cheaper, more flexible housing type that can be placed within currently-developed parcels. The project focuses on Eastham, a popular summer town in Cape Cod, Massachusetts as a prototypical model. The town is apt for ADU implementation due to the surge of seasonal second home purchasing and the erosion this has caused not only on the year-round housing stock, but consequently to its year-round population as many of its residents are unable to compete with the outsized purchasing power of out-of-town second home buyers. The model, integrated into an ArcGIS Online Dashboard, accurately determines ADU locations and sizes based on each parcel’s individual specifications, including environmental constraints and zoning regulations. With housing affordability and community resilience in mind, this tool offers a beacon of hope for Cape Cod and any region grappling with a growing scarcity of year-round housing options. While the current dashboard analyzes Eastham, the adaptable model can be replicated for the nuances of any municipality nationwide by tailoring it to the constraints and zoning bylaws of any jurisdiction.

Solving housing crises requires more than just numbers and algorithms—it requires putting tools in the hands of everyone to visualize the future. ADUtopia empowers both residents and planners, providing them with the ability to envision how ADUs can effectively increase housing capacity. This dashboard empowers informed decision-making and facilitates meaningful action by synthesizing the complexities of current zoning regulations and environmental considerations in one dynamic tool. At its core, it isn’t just about building ADUs—it’s about leveraging technology to bridge the gap between aspiration and action, turning backyards into housing opportunities.

Project Reflection/ Experience:

Why was the project chosen?

This project stemmed from my summer internship in Eastham on Cape Cod, MA last year,   where my family resides year-round. Working as a housing intern at the   town hall’s planning department, I discovered the critical role of Accessory Dwelling U nits (ADUs) in expanding affordable year-round housing stock, an acute need due to the purchasing of second homes in the sought-after summer destination and the resulting scarcity of affordable housing options for year-round residents. Witnessing numerous inquiries from town residents at the planning department desk about ADU feasibility highlighted the need for a rapid, accurate visualization tool integrating zoning and the ADU bylaw requirements specific to Eastham. Upon returning to Washington in the fall, I undertook this dashboard as my final project for the GIS certificate program to create a tool with this real-life application. 

What “life lessons” did the student(s) come away with? 

Through this project, I gained firsthand experience in addressing real-world challenges in a community I deeply care about through technical skills I gained in my GIS education. Embarking upon this project also taught me the importance of meticulous attention to detail and understanding nuances of zoning bylaws. Moreover, I learned the transformative potential of coding in elevating GIS projects, thanks to Cameron’s implementation of code in the project to identify the maximum contiguous areas per parcel.

Anything funny or really unexpected happen during the project?

While it isn’t funny per say, it was gratifying to learn from my former boss at the Town Hall that the planning department of Eastham actually uses the dashboard today when residents inquire about ADU eligibility!

Third Place

Presenter: Christian Jenkins

Project Title: Investigating a Spatial Relationship Between Air Quality and Low Birth Weights in Tacoma: A Granular Approach

Link to story map and web application: https://arcg.is/4uLSH

Abstract:

Low birth weight (LBW) is defined as weight at birth that is less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that for singleton babies born in the United States during 2021, 6.93% were LBW. LBW babies may face challenges early in life and are at a greater risk of experiencing long-term health problems associated with this condition. Environmental factors, particularly maternal exposure to air pollution, have been linked to an increased risk of LBW.

Typically, researchers study the correlation between LBW and air quality in geographic regions such as cities or census tracts. My research project aimed to explore this relationship amongst small areas, focusing on census block groups in Tacoma, WA. To make air quality more granular, urban tree canopy, impervious surface areas, exposure to heavy traffic, and exposure to toxic releases collectively made up an air quality analog. This analog was transformed into an index, which allowed for the ranking of block groups based on their likelihood of experiencing poor air quality. Additionally, block groups were ranked based on the percentage of LBW births that occurred in 2020 and 2021 within each block group.

Cluster and outlier analyses were conducted on air quality and LBW ranks; ArcGIS Experience Builder was used to visualize the results. The Experience Builder application allows users to switch between air quality and LBW layers and select individual census block groups to access their rankings, including rankings of air quality index components. Furthermore, filtering options based on rankings are available for users who want to focus their attention on specific areas of interest.

While this research did not reveal a clear spatial relationship between air quality and low birth weights, it could provide valuable insights that contribute to our understanding of low birth weight occurrences in Tacoma.

Project Reflection/ Experience:

During my time as an Environmental Studies student at the University of Washington Tacoma, I developed an interest in environmental justice, public health, and the built environment. Since graduating, my passion for these subjects has only grown. When I was recently given the opportunity to pursue a research project in UW Tacoma’s GIS Certificate program, I eagerly chose to focus on environmental health.

Before starting my certificate, I worked in urban forestry, where I encountered research linking high tree canopy coverage to better birth outcomes. This sparked my curiosity about other environmental factors that might affect birth outcomes and ultimately led to my project on the relationship between air quality and low birth weight rates.

Finding relevant and useful data for this project was challenging at times. I faced three major hurdles: underestimating the time required to find the right data, encountering data limitations, and needing special access from external sources to obtain data. Despite these obstacles, my genuine interest in this research kept me motivated.

Although my results didn’t show a clear relationship between air quality (as I represented it) and low birth weights, the outcome was fascinating. It prompted me to consider if socioeconomic and other environmental factors are confounding variables or are more influential on low birth weight risk than air quality.

The purpose of my research was to identify specific areas of Tacoma for targeted outreach, preventative care, treatment, and advocacy if there was a spatial relationship between air quality and low birth weight prevalence. With air quality at risk of worsening due to climate change, resilience is crucial, especially for underserved and overburdened communities. I would like to expand my research to include social determinants of health, such as race and household income, to gain further insights, address inequities, and find opportunity gaps.

Fourth Place

Presenters: Diana Li, Reed Scott, and Henry Kessler

Project Title: Smoke Ventilation Index Map

Link to Presentation Slides: Developing a Washington State Smoke Ventilation Index Map-1.pdf

Abstract:

Based on a proposal sent by Washington’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR), we’re creating a smoke ventilation index forecast map to help with wildland fire smoke management. Our map will help DNR staff visualize whether or not the air conditions are acceptable for smoke to dissipate with negligible impacts on surrounding communities.

Using the DNR’s prescribed burn site data, we created a layer of burns where the proposed tonnage exceeded 500. Next, we obtained WA air quality monitor data from the EPA. We wrote a Python script to gather the dates of large burns, and created a new feature class with those dates. We then developed a model to interpolate the monitor data from each date and ran a weighted overlay analysis on the output rasters. This demonstrated historical smoke ventilation patterns and served as the basis for the airshed delineations.

The NOAA National Blend of Models provided our ventilation index forecasting data. Every forecast is drawn from 72 multidimensional raster datasets, so we developed Python script to automate the process of downloading and referencing files. We then used ModelBuilder to automate spatial analysis tools, particularly Zonal Statistics calculations, to find and display the highest daily average ventilation rate within each airshed. Afterwards, the symbology is updated to reflect if a burn is permissible in the airsheds over the forecasted period.

Finally, we compiled all this information into a web application map using ArcGIS Experience Builder. This allows the DNR and the general public to use it, for DNR staff to receive permits for prescribed burns or general education. It also aims to allow for easy access and understanding of burn viability based on historical data and upcoming weather patterns. Additional resources will also be included in the map to explain further the project and other supporting online resources.

Stay Connected/ Learn More/ Get Involved:

The Dick Thomas Award is brought to you by the WAGISA Community Engagement Committee (CEC). Check out some other CEC offerings below:

WAGISA Young Professionals Initiative (YPI): https://wagisa.org/Young-Professionals

●     Join a network of young (< 5 years exp.) GIS professionals in Washington

●     Get access to mailing lists, social/ learning events, and a Slack Channel

●     Fill out the YPI Interest Sign-Up Form to get in the loop!

DTA web page: https://wagisa.org/DTA

●     Learn more about the DTA, see past events, and submit a project abstract when the submission form opens again in 2025

Thank you to the students, judges, volunteers and everyone else who made this event possible. Finally, a special thanks to my partner in crime and DTA co-coordinator, Dan Miller.

I look forward to another great year of DTA in 2025!

Sincerely,

Micah Gelber

WAGISA Community Engagement Chair

Unlocking the Power of Precision: The Impact of 1-Inch GSD Imagery on GIS

In the realm of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), precision is paramount. The ability to accurately map, analyze, and manage geographic data is what separates good decision-making from great decision-making. As the demand for high-quality geospatial data continues to rise, GIS professionals are turning to advanced technologies to meet these needs. One such innovation is 1-inch Ground Sample Distance (GSD) aerial imagery, a game-changer that offers unprecedented clarity and detail.

Why 1-Inch GSD Matters for GIS

At its core, 1-inch GSD imagery means that each pixel in an image represents a 1-inch square on the ground. This ultra-high resolution translates into a ninefold increase in data density compared to 3-inch GSD imagery. For GIS professionals, this level of detail unlocks new possibilities in data analysis, model accuracy, and project planning.

Enhanced Data Accuracy and AI Integration

The leap in data density with 1-inch GSD imagery is not just a matter of visual clarity; it’s about the integrity and precision of the data that GIS professionals rely on. More detailed imagery provides a richer dataset, which is crucial for developing and refining AI models. These models, trained on high-resolution data, deliver more accurate predictions and analyses, whether for urban planning, environmental monitoring, or disaster response.

For instance, in disaster recovery scenarios, the ability to discern fine details—such as the condition of individual structures or the exact boundaries of flood zones—can dramatically improve response strategies. A GIS coordinator in Iowa, after receiving post-disaster imagery captured at 1-inch GSD, remarked, “The quality of 1-inch is super helpful. I'm usually indifferent to resolution, but this is a time when seeing all the details is very beneficial.”

Streamlining GIS Workflows with High-Resolution Imagery

GIS workflows benefit immensely from the integration of 1-inch GSD imagery. The increased data granularity reduces the need for supplementary data collection, such as on-site surveys, by providing all necessary details directly within the imagery. This not only speeds up project timelines but also enhances the accuracy of spatial analyses, from asset management to infrastructure development.

Consider an example in asset management: 1-inch GSD imagery clearly shows the text on a road sign, such as “Speed Limit 35,” eliminating the need for a physical visit to verify this information. When managing thousands of assets, these efficiency gains are substantial, freeing up resources and reducing operational costs.

Driving Innovation and Adoption in GIS

While the benefits of 1-inch GSD imagery are clear, widespread adoption among GIS professionals has been gradual. Concerns about cost and the technical challenges of handling such large datasets are common. However, the return on investment—measured in enhanced data accuracy, efficiency gains, and improved outcomes—often far outweighs these initial barriers. As more GIS professionals experience the transformative power of 1-inch GSD imagery, its adoption is expected to accelerate.

Conclusion: Elevating GIS with 1-Inch GSD Imagery

1-inch GSD aerial imagery is more than just a high-resolution tool; it’s a catalyst for innovation in GIS. By providing an unprecedented level of detail, it empowers GIS professionals to deliver more accurate analyses, develop better models, and ultimately make more informed decisions. As the technology continues to evolve, the applications for 1-inch GSD imagery in GIS will only expand, setting new standards for precision and reliability in the field.

Thanks to EagleView for this article and for their continued support and sponsorship of WAGISA. 

Joanne Markert and her sons, Ryan and Joe

I was delighted to be given the opportunity to congratulate Joanne on her well-deserved Summit award.  I have worked with Joanne in her role as the GIO at the State of Washington for several years.  The following is my interview with Joanne.

Congratulations on being the 2024 Summit Award winner!  Can you describe your response to receiving the award?

Surprised!!  Also flattered and humbled.

Where do you plan to keep the statue?

It is in my home office.

Can you describe your start in the GIS industry, and any important initial lessons you experienced for our Young Professionals? 

I bumped into GIS when I started my career as a environmental planner and never looked back.  I was lucky enough to have support from my supervisors to pursue it as on-the-job training and a terrific mentor, that I can still count on today for help and advice – Elizabeth Lanzer with the Washington Departmet of Transportation. 

Can you describe how has your journey progressed?

I originally started out in applying GIS to environmental planning challenges such as noxious weed control.  After a couple of years, I was able to get a fulltime gig doing GIS with the primary focus being analyst type of work for environmental projects.  I then went to work for a private consulting company and did the work as well as learned Project and Program/ Team Management.  I returned to (working at) the state 7 years ago as the Geographic Information Officer (GIO) and love my job thoroughly.  Now the emphasis is on describing GIS to non-GIS people, encouraging cooperation across the state, and advocating the use of GIS to solve challenges our state faces, such as climate change and equity.

I know being a strong advocate for GIS at the State Level is a big part of your current job.  What kind of tips do you have for communicating the value of GIS to those outside of the field?

I try very hard to understand where the audience is coming from and then describe GIS in terms that can be more easily understood.  It is easy to be complicated with explanations, but it is hard to be direct, simple, approachable.  I bounce ideas off others that I work with and look for reactions from the people I’m talking with to see if I’m hitting the mark.  I prefer personal interactions for that reason – I can gauge better how the conversation is going.  Never underestimate enthusiasm for your subject matter!

While I know you have many still to come, can you describe any exciting or interesting GIS projects you have worked on?

Ialways like the archaeological predictive model that I worked on, but I like working on all aspects of GIS including seeing the relationship with AI.  I think the game changer that is about to come is integration with traditional IT data systems (SQL, etc.).  That will help bring GIS to the forefront!

When you are not working on your job, what do you do for fun and relaxation?

Of course, spending time with my family and friends take priority, but mainly I like to stay curious about the world around me and explore this great state through hiking and driving the back roads.  I just got back from a weekend trip out to Forks, WA and was able to go on some relaxing hikes enjoying the Hoh River and out to the coast to see the sea-stacks and plenty of the marine layer fog.  What a treasure we have right here in WA!  And there are so many of them that I have yet to explore!

I know collaboration is a key part of your role as the GIO for the State of Washington.  What advice to improve collaboration do you have for younger, less experienced GIS professionals?

It’s a small world after all.  You will see people again and again throughout your career.  Ultimately, we are all on the same team, so it makes sense to try to work through differences in a way that solves the problems, improves collaboration in the future and makes everyone happy to work with you the next time they see you.  You are not always right, and neither are they.  Humility and an open mind goes a long way.

Do you have any final thoughts on your experience as the Summit Winner?

It is really an honor to be nominated by my peers for this award and I am very grateful for that.  I’m also very grateful to be able to serve the state of Washington in the capacity of the GIO.  It is an incredible job and responsibility and I try very hard to represent the entire profession well so that doors will be open for those that come after me.

Thanks so much to Joanne for providing me with this information and a well deserved congratulations!

Hope those who attended this year’s Washington GIS Conference are still reflecting on the relationships, connections, and ah-ha moments they made over the course of our 2 or 3 days together! If you were there, you had the opportunity to identify yourselves as a Young Professional (less than 5 years GIS experience) or as a seasoned veteran using a gold or purple star sticker. The purpose of this constellation was to invite people to chat and introduce themselves encouraging cross generational networking and meaningful conversations. But this was just the start of our Young Professional focus.

This month we are officially announcing the launch of our Young Professional Initiative (YPI), designed to connect and empower emerging talent in the field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Whether you're just starting your career or navigating your first few years in the industry, this initiative is crafted with you in mind. At WAGISA, we recognize the invaluable contributions of young and seasoned professionals to the GIS community. Our initiative is built on two primary goals:

1. Connecting young professionals with jobs resources

2. Increase the long term participation of young professionals in volunteer and board positions.

Throughout the year, we have curated a series of engaging activities tailored specifically for young professionals. Our efforts kicked off with a dynamic Young Professionals Workshop led by WAGISA Board Member and Young Professional Micah Gelber (Navy Region Northwest) and Seasoned Veteran and WAGISA President Christina Chelf, where attendees participated in speed networking, group discussions, and enlightening panel talks. This event not only provided valuable career insights but also fostered a sense of community among the twenty-five enthusiastic participants. Huge thank you to our volunteers and panel members: Dan Miller (Washington Military Department), Tamara Davis (King County GIS Center), Bill Keller (King County GIS Center), Harvey Arnone, (City of Seattle), Kim Rogers (Floyd|Snider), Leslie Carman (Thurston County GeoData) and Josh Popelka (King County GIS Center).

Looking ahead, we are excited to continue our efforts with Virtual Coffee Sessions where young professionals can interact informally with WAGISA board members, gaining advice on career development and industry trends. Additionally, our Lunch and Learn Job Series will offer quarterly discussions on topics ranging from resumes to personal branding, providing practical guidance for professional growth. Our First Lunch & Learn will be hosted by Peter Keum (King County) in July and broadly be about how to network, so those attending the ESRI UC have some opportunity to practice! Finally we are planning an end of year in person social event. We hope all you young professionals out there can attend one or more of these events.

To stay updated on these events and opportunities, we encourage all young professionals to visit our YPI webpage and sign up for email reminders. Whether you're exploring new career avenues or seeking to expand your network, the Young Professional Initiative at WAGISA is here to support you every step of the way. If you are interested in helping plan these events email theboard@wagisa.org.

Let's build the future of GIS together—one connection, one opportunity at a time. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events and witnessing the positive impact of our community's vibrant young talent.

Christina Chelf

WAGISA President