The IGIC Blog

IGI and Related GIS Activities - Status July 15, 2010

2010-07-19T11:05:00.003-05:00

IGI and Related GIS Activities

Status July 15, 2010

Ongoing IGI Framework Data Projects

Statewide Lidar Project – all 57k square miles of the state have been collected!!! Three deliveries are left - July 15, July 30 and end of August? Some reflights may be necessary this fall and winter.

Iowa Geocoding Project – create address points (E911 driveway points and rooftop points) for 50 counties using $650k from pooled technology fund

address points for 25 is goal for first year of project, many to be released by GIS Day Nov 17
Contract with ISU GIS facility for address points for 15 counties by December 2010 - 10 students working this summer, making good progress
Contract with Geocomm to get E911 data from 33+ county dispatch systems - completed
Possible contract with ICIT for data repository intern to help collect parcel data - contract still pending
Contour shape files, 3 meter DEMs and 1 meter hill shades were created as by-products, and are available on the NRGIS library for 59 counties (19 are partially complete)
ISU GIS is setting up an ftp distribution point for IGI files which should be ready by Nov 17 GIS Day - will include orthos in state plane from the 2' statewide project, 2' contours and other data
DNR has called all 99 counties to inventory basic framework data layers, with results stored in Ramona tool http://ia.gisinventory.net/ Counties wishing to maintain their inventory data please contact us.
Project workers from Iowa City and Ames will do a crowdsourcing GPS pilot August 10-11 in Ida County. Using handheld cameras and GPS units, we will photograph buildings and addresses in the towns of Galva, Battle Creek, Holstein, Arthur and Ida Grove and sync GPS location using open source GPicsync software http://code.google.com/p/gpicsync/. Ida does not have parcel polygons or address point GIS data. Volunteers are welcome to come and help.

Collection of the 2010 2’ 4-band orthos for eastern 41 counties is completed. Delivery of 2' orthos as uncompressed tiles has begun. Delivery should be complete by end of summer.

Dan Corbin, Inc. is again providing a horizontal accuracy assessment

Iowa County Engineer Association Service Bureau is rebuilding the control point server (county GPS monuments and NGS control markers) - Jon Lubke is collecting control point data from county engineers for inclusion on server

New IGI Projects

IGIC's application for $50k to do a 2010 FGDC CAP ROI Case Study was successful. This grant will fund an ROI study of a public-private partnership to build and maintain the IGI, called Iowa One Map - will include ROI data from cities, COGs and utilities – with added emphasis on economic development. GITA is our major partner in this project again. Project has commenced with interviews of city GIS programs and rural electric coops.
2010 NAIP 1 meter color is currently being flown again this summer with federal funding. Iowa partners are contributing an additional $91k for 4th infrared band. Should have county color mosaics around November, 4-band deliveries unknown.
Grant from USGS State Liaison office to DNR for updating critical infrastructure structure layers and GNIS database using geocoding products for 10 counties in central Iowa - $50k total, will start late summer.
DNR, DOT, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and Public Health are developing a pilot project for sharing data and web services among state agencies. The pilot project will initially provide DOT and DNR services through ITE's SOA appliance. Hopefully this will provide a basis for future IGI web services that can be used directly or within other applications.
Pooled Technology Application for 2 FTEs for 2 years to start a state agency GIS service bureau - awarded $320k. DNR and others will hire contractors for a service bureau to begin work this fall to begin working with state agency GIS projects.

IGI Outreach

State agency GIS steering committee and GIS users group met June 17, discussed service bureau, IT consolidation and other projects
GIS Day Nov. 17 2010 hosted by ISU and others will celebrate the progress of the Iowa Geospatial Infrastructure. Accomplishments and plans for the future will be presented in Ames and on the Web.

Related GIS Projects

High-resolution land cover for state – 1 meter from NAIP, leaf-off, lidar and other input layers - IGWS working on pilot, Lyon and Osceola Counties with 2007 NAIP data, 2' orthos and lidar - there may be some funding from a DNR habitat mapping effort in the near future
Floodplain Mapping - $15M to complete floodplain maps for the state – should create hydro-enforced DEMs, contours and hydrography layers as well as approximate DFIRMs for all Iowa counties - two staff persons hired, program manager and GIS analyst – pilot project with Iowa Flood Center for floodplain models for Poweshiek County. Contracting for DFIRMs will start later year. DNR will produce stream centerlines derived from the lidar.
ARRA Broadband Mapping - Iowa Utility Board contracted with Connected Nation to map broadband availability in Iowa http://broadband.iowa.gov/board_information/docs/Connect-Iowa-Presentation-10.02.2009.pdf Online mapping application was made available at the end of June. http://connectiowa.org/mapping/_interactive_map_interface/?q=map
Statewide parcel GIS data layer - Ray Willis of Polk County is developing a pilot data set of parcels using FGDC core standard, to be distributed on the ICIT Data Repository. Polk, Linn and Dubuque Counties are available.
ICIT Data Repository revamped - https://www.iowagisdata.org/ Currently 21 counties have some data available in the data repository.
DNR completed last summer the 1950's historical aerial photography layer for the state. Both 1950s and 1930s are available on the ISU Ortho server and NRGIS Library. Currently working on scanning and orthorectifying the 1960's data set, which is about 53 counties completed. Check availability in the NRGIS library.
USGS is currently producing The National Map US TOPO products for Iowa this year. Most areas of the state are available now at the

USGS Map Store

Possible Future Projects

Crowdsourcing event in Fall 2010? Envisioned to be an educational event attracting non-GIS as well as GIS professionals to either a county-wide or community-wide volunteer mapping exercise. Emphasis on mapping the "community fabric" (what makes a place interesting and unique), not just infrastructure or collections of things. Look at using free internet-based mapping applications to display the results of the exercise. Looking for sponsors and volunteers. (DNR is doing a mini-GPS pilot in Ida County towns August 10-11 with summer staff from the geocoding project)

Projects looking for funding

NHD attribute conflation on lidar-derived stream network.
Geocoding Phase 2 – address points for 50 or so remaining counties, apply for PT funding in July 2010, for July 2011 project continuation
County GIS Service Bureau - 4 FTEs requiring about $300k per year of ongoing funding

If you have questions please call me at 319-335-1594
Jim Giglierano
Iowa DNR/Geological Survey

IGIC Board Election Results 2010

2010-06-15T16:30:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to the newly elected sector representatives for the 2010 - 2012 IGIC Board of Directors.

Every two years IGIC’s membership selects sector representatives to serve a two year term on the Board of Directors. All 25 seats are up for election representing all sectors (Community College & K-12; County Government; Federal Agency; Municipal Government; Private Sector; Regional Organization; State Agency; and University) of the IGIC Board.

The elected representatives and the sectors they are representing are as follows:

Community College & K-12

Terry Brase - Associate Professor, Geospatial Technologies - Kirkwood Community College
Kevin Butt - Assistant Professor, Agriculture Education - Ellsworth Community College

County Government

Micah Cutler - GIS Coordinator - Hardin/Franklin Counties
Matt Boeck - GIS Coordinator - Story County
Paula Lemke - GIS Coordinator - Cerro Gordo County
Rick Havel - GIS Coordinaotr - Johnson County

Federal Agency

Gregg Hadish - State GIS Specialist - USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Bob Lemen - USGS Geospatial Liaison for Iowa - United States Geological Survey (USGS)

Municipal Government

Nikki Breitsprecker -GIS Coordinator / Analyst - City of Dubuque
David Croll - GIS Coordinator - City of Johnston
Ellen Laughlin - Draftsperson - City of Waterloo

Private Sector

Joe Eckmann - Senior Account Manager - ESRI
Matt Sorenson - Vice President - Midland GIS Solutions
Joshua McNary - Marketing Manager - Aerial Services, Inc.
Scott Sandberg - Field Coordinator / GIS Specialist - Trees Forever

Regional Organization

Eric Sanders - Transportation Modeler/GIS Analyst / Planner - Siouland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council (SIMPCO)
Bethany Wilcoxon - Associate Transportation Planner - Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

State Agency

Chris Ensminger - GIS Section Supervisor - Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Jon Paoli - GIS Coordinator - Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division
Jim Giglierano - Geologist, Remote Sensing Analyst - Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Brad Cutler - GIS Coordinator - Office of Traffic & Safety, Iowa Department of Transportation

University

Dr. Anya Butt - Associate Professor of Environmental Studies - Central College
Kevin Kane - Director, Iowa State University GIS Facility and Adjunct Professor - Iowa State University
Dr. Simon Geletta - Associate Professor of Public Health - Des Moines University
Christopher Seeger, ASLA, GISP - Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture and Extension Specialist - Iowa State University

This iteration of the IGIC Board welcomes 9 fresh faces: Bethany Wilcoxon; Chris Seeger; Ellen Laughlin; Jim Giglierano; Joshua McNary; Kevin Butt; Matt Sorenson; Rick Havel; and Scott Sandberg. Welcome.

A very big thank you to all candidates who stepped forward to have their names placed on the ballot. As many of you know, IGIC is an entirely volunteer effort that is as successful as its members make it.

Please remember that IGIC meetings are open to all and your contributions are a crucial part of our ongoing dialogue in advancing IGIC’s mission of “fostering an efficient GIS environment through cooperation and coordination with public and private entities that access, collect, provide, and share data, metadata, applications and educational opportunities.”

The next IGIC quarterly meeting is scheduled for July 21st. Please refer to the IGIC website for further details as they become available.

Election Season 2010

2010-05-18T20:21:00.002-05:00

It is that time again. Time for you as the IGIC membership to select representatives to sit on the 25 member Board of Directors for IGIC.

As has been the case in the past, all IGIC members are eligible to vote for candidates in all sectors. Please take a few moments to read through the candidates and cast your vote.

Cast your vote here.

If you have any questions or difficulties, please contact Brad Cutler with your issue.

Jim Giglierano wins the MAGIC Service Award

2010-04-20T10:00:00.000-05:00

Couldn't go to a more deserving person. Thanks for all that you do for Iowa's GIS community!

"Jim Giglierano wins the MAGIC Service Award #MAGICgis2010"

The award description:

"GIS Service Nominees have demonstrated outstanding contributions to GIS Service benefiting their community in the MidAmerica region during the past two years. Contributions may have been through education, outreach, training, applications, projects or by successfully accomplishing grants that benefit their communities."

If we get photos of Jim in his tuxedo accepting the award or a copy of his acceptance speech, we'll make sure to get it posted online as soon as possible.

(And for those of you out there, you can follow all of the goings-on at the MAGIC 2010 Symposium on Twitter: #MAGICgis2010)

IGI and Related GIS Activities

2010-04-14T20:17:00.002-05:00

April 15, 2010

Ongoing IGI Framework Data Projects

Statewide Lidar Project – 47k sq miles collected out of 57k were collected last spring but many areas have to be reflown – new deliveries started in Sept but not all areas are available from spring 2009. 2010 flights and reflights have started in NE Iowa and east central Iowa

Geocoding Project – to create address points for 50 counties using $650k from pooled technology fund

address points for 3 counties in review - Story, Decatur and Osceola
started production of address point layers for Emmet, Cherokee, Warren, Pottawattamie, Hardin, and Sioux Counties.
Contract with ISU GIS facility for address points for 15 additional counties by December 2010
Contract with Geocomm to get E911 data from county dispatch systems
Possible contract with ICIT for data repository intern to help collect parcel data
Contour shape files, 3 meter DEMs and 1 meter hill shades were created as by-products, and are available on the NRGIS library for 43 counties - Adams, Allamakee, Appanoose, Boone*, Bremer*, Buchanan', Cass, Chickasaw, Clarke, Davis, Decatur, Delaware*, Emmet*, Fayette*, Fremont, Howard, Iowa, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson*, Jones*, Keokuk, Lucas, Lyon, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Monroe, O'Brien, Osceola, Page, Polk, Poweshiek, Ringgold, Sioux, Story, Taylor, Union, Van Buren*, Wapello, Warren, Wayne, Winneshiek (* = partial counties)
ISU GIS is setting up an ftp distribution point for IGI files which should be ready this summer - will include orthos in state plane from the 2' statewide project, 2' contours and other data
DNR is calling county GIS coordinators to inventory basic framework data layers, with results eventually stored in Ramona tool http://ia.gisinventory.net/

Collection of the 2010 2’ 4-band orthos for eastern 41 counties has started. Three counties exercised buy-up option: Des Moines, Lee and Wapello. Parts of Jackson County will also be done at higher resolution. Delivery of 2' orthos will begin later this summer.

Dan Corbin, Inc. will again provide a horizontal accuracy assessment

Iowa County Engineer Association Service Bureau is rebuilding the control point server (county GPS monuments and NGS control markers) - Jon Lubke is collecting control point data from county engineers for inclusion on server

New IGI Projects

IGIC's application for a 2010 FGDC CAP ROI Case Study Grant was successful ($50k). This grant will fund an ROI study of a public-private partnership to build and maintain the IGI, called Iowa One Map - will include ROI data from cities, COGs and utilities – added emphasis on economic development. GITA will again be our major partner in this project. Should commence in June or July.
2010 NAIP 1 meter color will be flown again with federal funding. Iowa partners will contribute an additional $91k for 4^th infrared band. Should have county color mosaics around November, 4-band deliveries unknown.
Grant from USGS State Liaison office to DNR for updating critical infrastructure structure layers using geocoding products for 10 counties in central Iowa $25k, start this summer.
DNR, DOT, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and Public Health are developing a pilot project for sharing data and web services among state agencies. The pilot project will initially provide DOT and DNR services through ITE's SOA appliance. Hopefully this will provide a basis for future IGI web services that can be used directly or within other applications.

IGI Outreach

ROI presentations at MAGIC Conference April 18-22, 2010 Kansas City
GIS Day Nov. 17 2010 hosted by ISU and others will celebrate the progress of the Iowa Geospatial Infrastructure. Accomplishments and plans for the future will be presented in Ames and on the Web.

Related GIS Projects

High-resolution land cover for state – 1 meter from NAIP, leaf-off, lidar and other input layers - IGWS working on pilot, Lyon and Osceola Counties with 2007 NAIP data, 2' orthos and lidar - there may be some funding from a DNR habitat mapping effort in the near future
Floodplain Mapping - $15M to complete floodplain maps for the state – should create hydro-enforced DEMs, contours and hydrography layers as well as approximate DFIRMs for all Iowa counties - two staff persons hired, program manager and GIS analyst – pilot project with Iowa Flood Center for floodplain models for Poweshiek County. Contracting for DFIRMs will start later year.
ARRA Broadband Mapping - Iowa Utility Board contracted with Connected Nation to map broadband availability in Iowa http://broadband.iowa.gov/board_information/docs/Connect-Iowa-Presentation-10.02.2009.pdf Data will be delivered in at the end of May 2010, basically census block group level info.
Iowa state agency projects - assistance to IDPS Fusion Center and State Police dispatch software upgrade, with data and web services from DOT, DNR and HLSEM.
Statewide parcel GIS data layer - Ray Willis of Polk County is developing a pilot data set of parcels using FGDC core standard, to be distributed on the ICIT Data Repository
ICIT Data Repository revamped - https://www.iowagisdata.org/ Currently 19 counties have some data available in the data repository.
DNR completed this past summer the 1950's historical aerial photography layer for the state. Both 1950s and 1930s are available on the ISU Ortho server and NRGIS Library. Currently working on scanning and orthorectifying the 1960's data set, which is about 50% complete. Check availability in the NRGIS library.
USGS is currently producing The National Map products for Iowa this year. Should be available by next January. Check here for status: http://nationalmap.gov/ustopo/about.html#status

Pending Projects

Pooled Technology Application for 2 FTEs for 2 years to start a state GIS service bureau - rated 3rd out of all PT projects. Funding was allocated by legislature for PT, but status is unknown due to state IT consolidation bill.

Possible Future Projects

Crowdsourcing event in Fall 2010? Envisioned to be an educational event attracting non-GIS as well as GIS professionals to either a county-wide or community-wide volunteer mapping exercise. Emphasis on mapping the "community fabric" (what makes a place interesting and unique), not just infrastructure or collections of things. Look at using free internet-based mapping applications to display the results of the exercise. Looking for sponsors and volunteers.

Projects looking for funding

Hydrography 1) high resolution stream centerlines extracted from lidar DEMs for floodplain mapping work 2) NHD attribute conflation on lidar-derived stream network.
Geocoding Phase 2 – address points for 50 or so remaining counties, apply for PT funding in July 2010, for July 2011 project continuation
County GIS Service Bureau - 4 FTEs requiring about $300k per year of ongoing funding

Completed Projects in 2009

Statewide Geocoding Project presentation to Iowa NENA/E911 Council Fall Conference Oct 27, 2009 Des Moines
IGI presentations at Eastern Iowa GIS Users Group Meeting, Nov 6, 2009, Wickiup Hill, Linn County

Geospatial Interns – Americorps funded 4 volunteers through the summer to do IGI activities and local gov’t GIS needs: Winneshiek, Hardin and Marshall Counties, DM Regional GIS group - completed Sept 2009
Iowa Rural GIS Summit – Sept 29 and 30, 2009, Osceola, IA - 46 participants discussed technical and institutional issues relevant to rural GIS programs

GIS Flood ROI Study - $15k funding from USGS – interviewed GIS people involved in 2008 flood, ROI spreadsheets produced for various geospatial activities during 2008 flood – final delivery July 2009, http://www.iowagic.org/igi/documents/roi-2-gis-and-the-flood-of-2008

2009 NAIP was flown in 2009 with federal stimulus funding – 1 m color - compressed MrSID county products were delivered in November 2009

2009 2’ 4-band Orthos for Western Iowa - imagery collected in March 2009, delivered in Sept/Oct. - available on the NRGIS Library

Dan Corbin, Inc. has provided horizontal accuracy assessment

Stewardship of Structures and Transportation layers – 2008 $50k FGDC CAP Grant – web update tool for structures database completed at ISU - includes DOT GIMS transportation base map product and building footprints from lidar - final report sent in December

address points for 3 counties in review - Story, Osceola and Decatur
DOT transportation base map GIS layers available

Compiled by Jim Giglierano

james.giglierano@dnr.iowa.gov

Census Day 2010

2010-04-01T09:38:00.000-05:00

Just a friendly reminder for all of you out there on this gorgeous April morning who haven't yet turned in your Census questionnaire to get those in the mail. I'm sure you've seen and heard the commercials that talk about the importance of filling out and returning your Census forms by today so we won't go into that. We won't talk about the tax dollars that are required to have folks go back out and canvas neighborhoods picking up forms either. Let's talk about something else entirely. Competition.

For the 2000 Census Iowa had the highest rate of return in the country at 79%. The little widget below says that Iowa is sitting at 60% participation as of April 1, 2010. Not too shabby but that puts us in 5th place. Our Midwest neighbors Nebraska (61%), North Dakota (61%), North Dakota (62%) and Wisconsin (62%) all lead the great state of Iowa in return rates.

Also, kudos to Dubuque for being at the top of the list of "Top 50 Places" on Census Day 2010 with a rate of 70%.

So, just a gentle reminder to send your forms back in if you haven't done so already and go ahead encourage your neighbors to do the same.

U.S. House Subcommittee Reviewing of USDA's Information Technology Systems

2010-03-11T22:29:00.000-06:00

On Wednesday of this week (March 10, 2010) the current President of NSGIC Will Craig of Minnesota was part of a panel speaking with the U.S. House of Representatives Agriculture Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition, and Forestry on the subject of information technology systems at the USDA. (FYI....U.S. Representative Steve King of Iowa's 5th District serves on this Subcommittee)

Mr. Craig was in the second panel of the day and I've linked to all the opening statements presented by panelists. While GIS was mentioned in nearly all of the opening statements and the role it plays at USDA, the main topic presented by Mr.Craig was the Imagery for the Nation (IFTN) program that has been in the development stages for the better part of the last five years.

Mr. Roger Johnson, President, National Farmers Union (NFU), Washington D.C.
Mr. Mike Mayfield, National Association of Farm Service Agency Office Employees (NASCOE), Pulaski, Tennessee
Mr. Craig Turner, President, National Association of Farmer-Elected Committees (NAFEC), Matador, Texas
Mr. Will Craig, President, National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC), Minneapolis, Minnesota
Mr. Jim Krosch, Supervisor, on behalf of the National Association of Conservation Districts, Morris, Minnesota for NACD

Along a similar line, the Association of Photogrammetry, Mapping and Geospatial Firms (MAPPS) released a press release on March 9th stating that a bill to introduce IFTN to Congress was being presented for introduction.

Many of you have been approached in recent years to contribute funding to the continuation (or upgrade) of NAIP imagery for Iowa. It is a community effort and Iowa has shown great success in "passing the hat" over the years to keep NAIP acquisition happening.

Finally, two things to ponder.

The first is that usage numbers provided from the ISU Orthoserver indicate that there are an average of 45,000 visitors per month to the Orthoserver. Many of these visitors are looking for and utilizing the NAIP imagery. That is a lot of users.

And last but not least. If NAIP is important for what you do and if the IFTN program would be beneficial to whatever it is that you may do, you need to let somebody know about it.

MAGIC 2010 deadlines approaching fast

2010-03-11T21:43:00.000-06:00

Dates to Remember

· March 17:
Early-bird registrationends.

· March 17:
Guaranteed rates at the Westin end.

· April 12:
2010 Project Showcase call closes.

· April 18:
MAGIC officially begins!!

Bizarre Map Contest for High School and College Students

2010-03-10T08:00:00.001-06:00

The Bizarre Map Challenge is a map design competition open to high school, college, and university students in the United States. The goals of this challenge are: to promote spatial thinking; increase awareness of geospatial technology; and inspire curiosity about geographic patterns and map representation in students and the broader public. “Bizarre” in this competition refers to maps that are strikingly out of the ordinary. Though all maps must use real-world data, successful entries might employ unusual techniques, illustrate bizarre topics, or exhibit striking patterns.

All entries must be submitted in a static PDF format (no interactive or animated maps) using the on-line registration form. The complete map should be no larger than 8.5 x 11 inches (letter size) with a minimum of half-inch margins. A summary description, 500 words maximum, will also be required at the time of submission. The summary should describe why this map is bizarre, how it was created, the tools used, data sources, coordinate systems, projection methods, etc.

This competition is supported by the National Geospatial Technology Center and San Diego State University and prizes will be awarded to the top entries as voted on by a round of judges and then by the public. The First Place prize is $5,000.

Map submissions are due March 22.

http://bizarremap.sdsu.edu/index.html

Build 3D Iowa

2010-02-10T22:16:00.000-06:00

Build 3D Iowa

A great initiative focused mostly on students in Iowa to get involved in modeling (but open to all).

The more models the better.

IGI and Related GIS Activities - Status Jan. 20, 2010

2010-01-19T10:00:00.003-06:00

Completed Projects

Stewardship of Structures and Transportation layers – 2008 $50k FGDC CAP Grant – web update tool for structures database completed at ISU - includes DOT LRS transportation base map product and building footprints from lidar - final report sent in December

address points for 3 counties in review - Story, Osceola and Decatur
DOT transportation base map GIS layers will be available soon

Ongoing Projects

Statewide Lidar Project – 47k sq miles collected out of 57k – new deliveries started in Sept, continuing to QC/QA raw products - processing status in January 2010 ftp://ftp.igsb.uiowa.edu/Lidar_FTP/Admin_docs/Process_Status_01072010.pdf
2009 2’ 4-band Orthos for Western Iowa - imagery collected in March 2009, delivered in Sept/Oct. - available on the NRGIS Library

Dan Corbin, Inc. contracted to provide horizontal accuracy assessment

Iowa County Engineer Association Service Bureau is rebuilding the control point server (county GPS monuments and NGS control markers) - Jon Lubke is collecting control point data from county engineers for inclusion on server

Geocoding Project – to create address points for 30-50 counties using $650k from pooled technology fund – develop business plan in January 2010

address points for 3 counties in review - Story, Decatur and Osceola
2' contours being created as by-product of building footprint extraction - Lyon, Sioux, Osceola, Page, Adams, Taylor, Decatur, Clarke, Poweshiek, Iowa, Winneshiek and Allamakee.
ISU GIS is setting up an ftp distribution point for IGI files - will include orthos in state plane from the 2' statewide project, 2' contours and other data

2010 2’ 4-band Orthos – full funding appropriated by the legislature this year for completion of state in spring 2010 - about four counties are buying up this year

New IGI Projects - no external funding

High-resolution land cover for state – 1 meter from NAIP, leaf-off, lidar and other input layers - IGWS working on Lyon and Osceola Counties with 2007 NAIP data, 2' orthos and lidar - there may be some funding from a DNR habitat mapping effort in the near future

IGI Outreach

ROI presentation to MAGIC senior executive session April 18-22, 2010 Kansas City

Related GIS Projects

2009 NAIP was flown again this year with federal stimulus funding – 1 m color - compressed MrSID county products delivered in November, available on NRGIS Library
Floodplain Mapping - $15M to complete floodplain maps for the state – should create hydro-enforced DEMs, contours and hydrography layers as well as approximate DFIRMs for all Iowa counties - two staff persons hired, program manager and GIS analyst– pilot project with Iowa Flood Center for floodplain models for Poweshiek County
ARRA Broadband Mapping - Iowa Utility Board contracted with Connected Nation to map broadband availability in Iowa http://broadband.iowa.gov/board_information/docs/Connect-Iowa-Presentation-10.02.2009.pdf- Data delivered in March 2010, basically census block group level info - website http://connectiowa.org/
Iowa state agency projects - assistance to IDPS Fusion Center and State Police dispatch software upgrade, with data and web services from DOT, DNR and HLSEM.
Statewide parcel GIS data layer - Ray Willis of Polk County is developing a pilot data set of parcels using FGDC core standard, to be distributed on the ICIT Data Repository
ICIT Data Repository revamped - https://www.iowagisdata.org/
DNR completed this summer the 1950's historical aerial photography layer for the state. Both 1950s and 1930s are available on the ISU Ortho server or NRGIS Library. Currently working on scanning and orthorectifying the 1960's data set.

Pending Projects

Pooled Technology Application for 2 FTEs for 2 years to run a state GIS service bureau - rated 3rd out of all PT projects, funding has to be allocated by legislature this spring for July 2010 start
USGS/ARRA proposal for orthos - basically help fund local 1' upgrades during 2010/2011 ortho project - PROPOSAL REJECTED Jan 17, 2010
2010 CAP Grant application, new category for ROI – IGI ROI study of a public private partnership to build and maintain the IGI, called Iowa One Map - will include data from cities, COGs and utilities – emphasis on economic development – sent in Jan 7 2010
2010 NAIP - will additional federal funding become available for 1 m color? Can Iowa get together additional $91k for 4^th infrared band?

Possible Future Projects

Collaboration on The National Map data layers and GeoPDFs for Iowa - TNM will work on Iowa during 2010
Collaborate more with County Engineer Service Bureau to help county engineers use lidar elevation data
Crowdsourcing event in Spring 2010?

Projects looking for funding

Hydrography – NHD conflation on lidar-derived stream network from floodplain work - working with Iowa Flood Center and ISU Ag Engineering on procedures for extracting stream linework from lidar DEMs.
Geocoding Phase 2 – address points for 50 or so remaining counties, apply for PT funding in July 2010, for July 2011 project continuation
County GIS Service Bureau - 4 FTEs requiring about $300k per year of ongoing funding

IGI and Related GIS Activities - Status Oct 21, 2009

2010-01-19T09:42:00.000-06:00

Completed Projects

GIS Flood ROI Study - $15k funding from USGS – interviewed GIS people involved in last year’s flood, ROI spreadsheets produced for various geospatial activities during 2008 flood – final delivery July 2009, http://www.iowagic.org/igi/documents/roi-2-gis-and-the-flood-of-2008
Geospatial Interns – Americorps funded 4 volunteers through the summer to do IGI activities and local gov’t GIS needs: Winneshiek, Hardin and Marshall Counties, DM Regional GIS group - completed Sept 2009
Iowa Rural GIS Summit – Sept 29 and 30, Osceola, IA - 46 participants discussed technical and institutional issues relevant to rural GIS programs

Ongoing Projects

Statewide Lidar Project – 47k sq miles collected out of 57k – new deliveries started in Sept, continuing to QC/QA raw products - processing status in October 2009 ftp://ftp.igsb.uiowa.edu/Lidar_FTP/Admin_docs/Process_Status_10062009.pdf
2009 2’ 4-band Orthos for Western Iowa - $650k in funding from state’s pooled technology fund from last year – imagery collected in March 2009, partially delivered in Sept. – Dan Corbin, Inc. contracted to provide horizontal accuracy assessment
Stewardship of Structures and Transportation layers – 2008 $50k FGDC CAP Grant – web update tool for structures database completed at ISU - includes DOT LRS transportation base map product and building footprints from lidar - final report due in December
Iowa County Engineer Association Service Bureau is rebuilding the control point server (county GPS monuments and NGS control markers) - Jon Lubke is collecting control point data from county engineers for inclusion on server

New IGI Projects – funding allocated

Geocoding Project – to create address points for 30-50 counties using $650k from pooled technology fund – full funding appropriated by the legislature this year - began pilot project with data from Story County October 2009, develop business plan in January 2010
2010 2’ 4-band Orthos – full funding appropriated by the legislature this year for completion of state in spring 2010

New IGI Projects - no external funding

High-resolution land cover for state – 1 meter from NAIP, leaf-off, lidar and other input layers - IGWS working on pilot, Lyon and Osceola Counties with 2007 NAIP data, 2' orthos and lidar - there may be some funding from a DNR habitat mapping effort in the near future

IGI Outreach

Statewide Geocoding Project presentation to Iowa NENA/E911 Council Fall Conference Oct 27, 2009 Des Moines
IGI presentations at Eastern Iowa GIS Users Group Meeting, Nov 6, Wickiup Hill, Linn Co
ROI presentation to County Assessors at ISAC Fall School in Coralville, Nov 19 or 20, 2009
ROI presentation to MAGIC senior executive session April 18-22, 2010 Kansas City

Related GIS Projects

2009 NAIP was flown again this year with federal stimulus funding – 1 m color - waiting for delivery of compressed MrSID county products
Floodplain Mapping - $15M to complete floodplain maps for the state – should create hydro-enforced DEMs, contours and hydrography layers as well as approximate DFIRMs for all Iowa counties - two staff persons hired, program manager and GIS analyst– pilot project with Iowa Flood Center for floodplain models for Poweshiek County
Eastern Iowa GIS Day - Economic Development Case Studies Nov 17 730am-10am breakfast at Kirkwood CC Conference Center in Cedar Rapids - aimed at business community
ARRA Broadband Mapping - Iowa Utility Board contracted with Connected Nation to map broadband availability in Iowa http://broadband.iowa.gov/board_information/docs/Connect-Iowa-Presentation-10.02.2009.pdf- Data delivered in March 2010, basically census block group level info
Iowa state agency projects - assistance to IDPS Fusion Center and State Police dispatch software upgrade, with data and web services from DOT, DNR and HLSEM.
Statewide parcel GIS data layer - Ray Willis of Polk County is developing a pilot data set of parcels using FGDC core standard, to be distributed on the ICIT Data Repository
ICIT Data Repository revamped - https://www.iowagisdata.org/
DNR completed this summer the 1950's historical aerial photography layer for the state. Both 1950s and 1930s are available on the ISU Ortho server or NRGIS Library. Currently working on scanning and orthorectifying the 1960's data set.

Pending Projects

Pooled Technology Application for 2 FTEs for 2 years to run a state GIS service bureau - rated 3rd out of all PT projects, funding has to be allocated by legislature next spring for July 2010 start - how likely is that?

Possible Future Projects

2010 CAP Grant application, new category for ROI – IGI ROI study for cities, COGs and utilities – emphasis on economic development? – due Jan 7 2010
Possible USGS/ARRA funds for lidar and orthos - shall we develop proposal to help fund local 6" and 1' upgrades during 2010 ortho project? No RFP yet.
I-Jobs Funding ?? emphasis on local government preparation for future disasters (use results of GITA flood ROI study) and job creation (more interns?) Quarterly submittals for funding?
Collaboration on The National Map data layers and GeoPDFs for Iowa - TNM will work on Iowa during 2010
Collaborate more with County Engineer Service Bureau to help county engineers use lidar elevation data
Crowdsourcing workshop? Spring 2010? City of Leon? Be there with your I-Phone or GPS!

Projects looking for funding

2010 NAIP - will additional federal funding become available for 1 m color? Can Iowa get together additional $100k for 4^th infrared band? Or look to 2011 for next scheduled NAIP flight?
Hydrography – NHD conflation on lidar-derived stream network from floodplain work
Geocoding Phase 2 – address points for 50 or so remaining counties, apply for PT funding in July 2010, for July 2011 project continuation
County GIS Service Bureau - 4 FTEs requiring about $300k per year of ongoing funding

Portion of Iowa included in Upper Mississippi River Valley Viticultural Area

2009-07-22T10:43:00.000-05:00

This marks one of those days to celebrate local geography.

As of July 22, 2009 the Upper Mississippi River Valley Viticultural Area comes into being. This viticultural area covers 29,914 square miles in the four states of Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. The counties from Iowa included in this region include: Allamakee, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Cedar, Chickasaw, Clayton, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Howard, Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Linn, Scott, and Winneshiek.

Coverage by the AP/Des Moines Register: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090722/NEWS/907220368/1001/

The listing in the Federal Register that gives an outline of the area and what makes it unique with regards to growing grapes:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-14574.pdf

Can't get enough of that ROI.....

2009-07-07T11:36:00.000-05:00

This just up on the IGIC website, the final document and complete text of interviews for the 2008 GIS ROI study related to the flooding that occurred across Iowa.

Also, for those of you who haven't read the original GIS ROI study for the development of the Iowa Geospatial Infrastructure, that document is also hosted online.

2009 IGIC Conference Poster Session Results

2009-05-15T11:20:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to the winners of this year's poster session. Thank you for all of you who contributed a map or poster to fill the exhibit hall.

Student Category:
First Place: Mr. Fei Yang of Iowa State University for "Using VGI to Enhance Public Participation in the Planning Process".

Cartographic Category:
First Place: Mr. Jim Giglierano of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Geological Survey Bureau for "Surficial Geology of Cedar County, Iowa".
Second Place: Ms. Micah Cutler of Hardin County for "Iowa Falls School District Transportation Map".

Analytical Category:
First Place: Mr. Chris Seeger of ISU for "Community Walking Maps".
Second Place: Mr. Scott Larsen of UNI for "Ecological Niche Modeling of Potential West Nile Virus Vectors".

2009 IGIC Conference Exhibitors

2009-05-12T14:54:00.003-05:00

Thank you to all of this year's exhibitors who helped to make the 2009 IGIC Conference a success! We would not be able to do it without you!

2009 IGIC Conference Award Recipients

2009-05-12T14:04:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to the following award recipients. Enough can not be said about the three individuals who received awards at this year's conference and what they have done to further the cause of geospatial coordination in Iowa.

The Achievement & Contribution in GIS (A member that you feel is always in the mix, always producing and trying to serve Iowa's GIS community - a member that exemplifies what we want IGIC to be known for) was awarded to Mr. Jim Giglierano of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

The Project Energizer (given to an individual identified as continually putting out ideas, mobilizing people, and seeing it through to completion) was awarded to Mr. Chris Ensminger of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

The Networking Award (given to individual that best repeatedly make the connections the group needs) was awarded to Mr. Bob Lemen with the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

(l-r: Jim, Bob & Chris)

We are a social bunch........

2009-05-04T16:09:00.000-05:00

For those of you who are into that whole social networking phenomenon, there are a couple of different routes you can use to assist in getting your IGIC fix.

The IGIC website - feel free to post your news and events on this trusted "community" driven website.
The IGIC email list - if you're new to the group and want to catch up with what have been topics of interest to the Iowa GIS community - this archive goes back 3 years
Facebook
LinkedIn (search Groups for IGIC)
We're thinking of a few other ways to keep in touch in the future so stay tuned.

2009-04-01T12:04:00.002-05:00

IGI Progress Report - 3/31/09

1) 2008 CAP Grant - Building Stewardship Capacity for Structures and Transportation
- project deadline extended 6 months until end of September
- footprint web update tool progressing - using 2006 Des Moines lidar as test data
- progress on producing of structures from lidar using lidar analysis program - large buildings easy to extract, houses and smaller structures are difficult to extract from trees

2) Statewide 2' leaf-off 4-band ortho-imagery
- no progress on creating mosaics of 17 NW counties
- Aerial Services selected as contractor for spring 2009 and 2010 flights
- About half of western project area flown in March; pilot project in Woodbury Co produces excellent imagery
- Funding for 2010 flights in eastern part of state in jeopardy due to flood recovery and economic downturn
- In March, released Request for Proposals for horizontal accuracy assessment of ortho-imagery using NSSDA criteria

3) Geocoding Project - create address points for 30-50 counties, with address validation and geocoding web services
- funding in jeopardy due to flood recovery and budget shortfalls

4) County GIS service bureau pilot project
- LGIF funding returned to state general fund due to budget shortfalls - no money for LGIF projects this year

5) IGI Outreach
- IGI talk to Central Iowa GIS Users Group on March 25
- IGI session at IGIC Conference in April - status and future plans during morning of April 22

6) Iowa 2008 Flood Return on Investment Project
- MAS has interviewed 50 persons about their flood experiences in 2008
- Developing cost/benefit scenarios for having GIS available during disasters
- project extended

7) State Agency GIS Group
- upcoming meeting April 10 at Wallace Building
- Homeland Security grant application for infrastructure funding not accepted

8) Hi-resolution land cover
- next meeting of land cover producers on April 8 in Iowa City
- proposals for Skunk River Basin land cover sent to WIRB (no go) and NRCS CIG (pending)

9) Lidar Production
- continues: contact Chris Kahle (chris.kahle@dnr.iowa.gov) for specifics

10) Hydrography Production
- DES delivered local resolution NHD for 27 HUC12s for pilot project
- DNR given training on NHD conflation tool by USGS - will reprocess pilot data to conform to NHD standards

11) Geospatial Interns
- developed proposal to hire 10-12 Geospatial Interns through DNR's Americorps program
- if funded will place interns in 10 local gov't GIS offices across state to help get data into IGI and assist local gov't with their GIS projects
- summer and one year appointments if funding becomes available

Jim Giglierano
4/1/2009

Maps Matter

2009-02-03T13:08:00.071-06:00

For those of us working with maps and GIS on a day to day basis, we know this statement to be true...."maps matter". But I'll be the first to admit that there are times when it can be a challenge to communicate how much maps really do matter.

To assist in starting this conversation, the National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC) has produced a series of marketing materials templates that they have provided to States to use. For Iowa, there are a total of 11 of these sheets that are available to IGIC members to use in their marketing and outreach efforts:

The templates that are posted to the IGIC website all are in pdf format and have been customized with IGIC contact information. Here is the great thing about this effort from NSGIC, they don't have to stay that way! If you would like to customize them, just let IGIC know and we'll get you a copy of a Microsoft Word document that you can customize with your own contact information, examples, text, bullets, images, etc.

Obviously a big thank you goes out to NSGIC for making these available. Now, here is the key, don't let them sit on the shelf and gather dust. Customize, print, distribute and repeat.

There have already been several instances where these items have been distributed to assist newly elected officials get up to speed on how geospatial technologies are utilized. With 11 'flavors' to choose from it shouldn't be too hard to find one that fits your needs.

IGI Progress Report - 12/30/08

2009-01-06T09:53:00.001-06:00

1) 2007 CAP Grant completed and sent in Sept 30 - good comments back from FGDC
- FGDC project website: http://www.fgdc.gov/grants/2007CAP/projects/07HQAG0043
- IGIC project website: http://www.iowagic.org/igi

2) 2008 CAP Grant - Building Stewardship Capacity for Structures and Transportation
- footprint web update tool progressing - using 2006 Des Moines lidar as test data
- no progress on production of structures from lidar
- need to work on list of attributes for transportation data - project team and road data stakeholders
- DOT working on WMS and WFS for delivering transportation data services to all users - due soon

3) Statewide 2' leaf-off 4-band ortho-imagery
- creating mosaics of 17 NW counties
- Aerial Services selected as contractor for spring 2009 and 2010 flights - see map below
- Funding for 2010 flights in eastern part of state in jeopardy due to flood recovery and economic downturn

4) Geocoding Project - create address points for 30-50 counties, with address validation and geocoding web services - DNR project team
- proposal rated #3 by IT heads - funding in jeopardy due to flood recovery and budget shortfalls

5) County GIS service bureau pilot project
- LGIF Proposal delivered on Oct 31 - waiting for results from LGIF board
- proposal says to basically hire 2 people for 2 years to get county GIS data into ICIT repository, create metadata data, plus make available state data layers to counties, like lidar contours, etc.

6) IGI Outreach
- Need to prepare demo for legislature to justify pooled tech projects, test demo in December, deliver in Jan/Feb, 3-4 minutes in length - Jon Paoli lead
- Jim talked to Iowa County Engineers GIS Committee, Dec 4 - follow up meeting set up for Jan 16 in Des Moines

7) Iowa 2008 Flood Return on Investment Project
- MAS has interviewed 30 persons about their flood experiences in 2008

8) State Agency GIS Group
- met Oct 30 at SEOC in Johnston
- forming executive or steering committee with one POC at each agency

9) Hi-resolution land cover
- land cover producers met in Iowa City, Nov 24 - discussed what we have so far in the way of production techniques: UNI, UI, ISU and DNR
- next meeting to be at the end of March 2009

10) Lidar Production
- continues: contact Chris Kahle (chris.kahle@dnr.iowa.gov) for specifics

11) Hydrography Production
- DES delivered local resolution NHD for 27 HUC12s for pilot project - DNR checking over

Iowa Geopsatial Infrastructure Progress Report - November 2008

2008-12-16T08:42:00.004-06:00

The Iowa Geospatial Infrastructure will ultimately be a community of GIS data providers, service bureaus, and connecting technology that delivers framework data layers to all GIS users across the state. We have a long way to go towards that goal, but experience with the flood of 2008 has pointed out the urgent need for better data sharing, data collection and technology assistance at all levels of government.

Every month I will try to give a snapshot of our progress as we lurch forward on various tasks and initiatives. These are the activities I am aware of - I am sure there are others that are pertinent, whether its a regional ortho data collection project, a new geospatial web service or some GIS person in the basement of his courthouse that has discovered a better way to do something useful with GIS and needs to share it. So let me know if you have something to talk about.

1) 2007 CAP Grant completed and sent in Sept 30 - good comments back from FGDC
- FGDC project website: http://www.fgdc.gov/grants/2007CAP/projects/07HQAG0043
- IGIC project website: http://www.iowagic.org/igi
- finished loading project docs on IGIC server

2) 2008 CAP Grant - Building Stewardship Capacity for Structures and Transportation
- sent in interim report
- footprint web update tool progressing - using 2006 Des Moines lidar as test data
- tested lidar analyst to produce building footprints from LAS data
- no progress on production of structures from lidar
- need to work on list of attributes for transportation data - project team and road data stakeholders
- DOT working on WMS and WFS for delivering transportation data services to all users - due in November sometime

3) Statewide 2' leaf-off 4-band ortho-imagery
- Sanborn delivered northern border fix for 17 NW Iowa Project
- creating mosaics of 17 counties
- RFP released for spring 2009 flights in western Iowa, closes 11/17 - will select contractor in December
- second Pooled Technology Funding for 2010 flights in eastern part of state - rated #1 by IT heads - funding in jeopardy due to flood recovery

4) DNR Geocoding Project - create address points for 30-50 counties, with address validation and geocoding web services
- proposal rated #3 by IT heads - funding in jeopardy due to flood recovery and budget shortfalls
- need to start thinking about process and available data
- find existing AP coverages from a few counties to look at standards
- scope out requirements
- look at MSAGs and try to geocode using existing centerline files

- who will do the work?

5) County GIS service bureau pilot project
- LGIF Proposal delivered on Oct 31
- proposal basically says to hire 2 people for 2 years to get county GIS data into ICIT data repository, create metadata, make available state data layers to counties, like lidar contours, etc., and build a pilot web mapping service with both county and state GIS framework data

6) IGI Outreach
- Met with state CIO Oct 28 - need to prepare demo for legislature to justify pooled tech projects, test demo in December, deliver in Jan/Feb, 3-4 minutes in length
- IGI talk at ISAC Fall School in November, Jim and Paula talk to Supervisors Affiliate
- Article for ISAC magazine in Nov.

7) Flood 2008 ROI
- Contract amendment with GITA completed and signed - Oct 1 start date
- Mary Ann Stewart of GITA started interviews

8) Next steps for ROI?
- CAP grant application not possible this coming year - Iowa got too many recent grants
- do we look for private funding $50k - $75k - shall we do municpalities? - need to investigate letter of inquiriy for private funding
- Economic development ROI?
- Regional gov't, NGOs, utilities ROI?

9) State Agency GIS Group
- met Oct 30 at SEOC in Johnston
- discussed flood experiences
- forming executive or steering committee with one POC at each agency

10) Hi-resolution land cover
- next land cover producers meeting at Iowa City, Nov 24 - what we have so far in the way of production techniques: UNI, UI, ISU and DNR

11) Statewide Lidar Production
Sanborn Status map from last May Preliminary map - some areas may change later as processing proceeds.

Lots of things going on: stay tuned.
Jim Giglierano
james.giglierano@dnr.iowa.gov

Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission Issues 120-Day Report to Governor Culver

2008-11-19T14:44:00.001-06:00

For those that may have missed it, the Rebuild Iowa Commission issued its final report on Monday, November 17, 2008 to the Iowa Legislature on how Iowa should continue to respond to natural disasters.

The final report includes a list of 12 recommendations for responding to Iowa's long-term recovery, with potential strategies for implementing the recommendations. The list of recommendations:

Provide individual services and guidance;
Make housing a priority;
Provide incentives for Iowa’s struggling small businesses, micro-enterprises, and non-profits;
Invest in infrastructure;
Create sustainable funding options for local and state rebuilding efforts;
Invest in local emergency management agencies for the central coordination function and work in all areas of emergency management;
Enact policies to make communities sustainable and protect Iowa’s quality of life and cultural heritage;
Lead and support integrated, regional recovery planning;
Enact policy to address floodplain and watershed management;
Complete floodplain mapping for the entire state;
Formalize the Rebuild Iowa Office and recovery responsibilities;
Lead communications efforts to educate Iowans on recovery efforts and planning for future potential disasters.

For a full read of the recommendations and the strategies they outline, the Commission's final report is available online from the Rebuild Iowa website.

After reading the recommendations and the final report, is there any input from IGICians out there on the role geospatial coordination could and should play in making these recommendations a reality?

GIS Inventory (powered by Ramona) version 2.0

2008-10-24T10:15:00.000-05:00

The nationwide GIS inventory tool formerly known as Ramona has seen a release of version 2.0. This version was released back on October the 14th and has seen several improvements and modifications.

The latest version of NSGIC 's GIS inventory tool includes a few upgrades and improvements, including faster and more dependable web-hosting, enhanced tools for both the users and the state-level administrators, and improved integration with the federal government's Geospatial One-Stop (GOS). There are a few cosmetic issues addressed as well, including a new design and color scheme.

Ramona is produced by the National States' Geographic Information Council (NSGIC) as a tool for states and their partners. Its primary purpose is to track the status of GIS in US state and local government to aid the planning and building of Spatial Data Infrastructures. Ramona is designed to work in concert with Geospatial One-Stop, and was prepared by NSGIC under award NA04NOS4730011 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.

For those of you here in Iowa who haven't visited the Iowa node (http://ia.gisinventory.net ) in some time, feel free to take this opportunity to check back in and learn more about the inventory tools available. For new users, an account is free and simple to setup. Here in Iowa we had an initial rush of users sign-up but that number has stagnated a bit over the last year or so. Either way, if you need some assistance with the site or have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Brad Cutler for assistance.

Additional information about RAMONA is available online: About RAMONA

Eastern Iowa GIS Day 2008

2008-10-08T14:26:00.001-05:00

Eastern Iowa GIS Day 2008 was held on October 6 - 7, 2008 at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center (GBPAC)) on the campus of the University of Northern Iowa.

This year's Conference kicked off on October 6th with a LiDAR workshop attended by 25 people. Attendees were treated to a full day of learning the "ins" and "outs" of LiDAR with specific focus directed at the Iowa LiDAR Project. Also highlighted was the recently developed "GeoLite" ArcGIS extension developed by the GeoTREE Center. This extension allows the user to process and analyze LiDAR data. For further details on GeoLITE: http://www.geotree.uni.edu/GeoLITE.aspx

Full Eastern Iowa GIS Day festivities kicked off on Tuesday, October 7th at the GBPAC. Over 175 attended the Conference that placed a spotlight on "Geospatial technologies for natural disaster management." Before breaking out for presentations, the attendees were treated to three keynote/invited speakers that spoke to their experiences in dealing with geospatial technologies in hazard response.

A total of 18 breakout presentations were offered to pick and choose from. The range of topics were primarily focused on usage of GIS technologies in response to flooding, tornado, and natural hazard related issues in keeping with the conference theme. Presentations and video of many of the presentations will be posted shortly after the conference on the GeoTREE website: http://www.geotree.uni.edu/gisday2008/default.aspx

Make your plans for 2009. Next year's Eastern Iowa GIS Day does not have a date scheduled as of yet but plans are to shift the conference location to the south in 2009. Keep an eye on your email inbox for further details as they become available.