VAMLIS GeoCon 2024

Along with other tools, the Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF) uses open-space easements to protect land across the Commonwealth. These easements are designed to protect conservation values, including a variety of natural and cultural resources. However, the process of evaluating potential easements can be time-intensive and financially costly. In order to maximize efficiency and ensure that VOF is protecting areas consistent with the conservation goals of VOF and the Commonwealth, we developed an ArcGIS WebApp and Excel template that make up the SCORE tool. SCORE aids VOF staff in identifying, evaluating, and ranking the conservation values of potential projects. The conservation values are categorized and represented in SCORE by a variety of spatial layers hosted by VOF and other state and federal agencies. The WebApp utilizes the Screening widget to identify conservation values on and around potential easement projects. The SCORE tool has proven to be a key piece in streamlining the easement decision-making process at VOF and helping to make sure valuable conservation resources are being protected.

Understanding the dynamics of Chesapeake Bay oyster populations is critical for effective management and conservation efforts. This research analyzes long-term data from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) and Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) to investigate temporal trends in oyster populations across the Chesapeake Bay, using ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS online software.

This research includes aggregating almost 20 years of data, normalizing data using tools such as Model Builder, and presenting data in an accessible and visually compelling way. The final product is an online interactive map, designed to allow users to visualize temporal changes in oyster populations across varying spatial scales. This dynamic visualization tool facilitates a nuanced understanding of how environmental factors and management interventions influence oyster abundance and distribution.

By synthesizing complex spatial and temporal data into a user-friendly format, this project provides crucial insights for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders invested in the sustainable management of Chesapeake Bay's oysters. The findings underscore the utility of geospatial technologies in informing management and communicating to a public audience.
This project is a National Science Foundation funded research experience for undergraduates.

As the ocean temperature rises following recent global warming trends, Atlantic cod populations have begun to disappear from their normal habitats on the east coast. This trend has been affecting aquatic life and in turn, access to the region’s fish resources. GIS analysis of this issue has enabled the creation of time sliders showing the change in temperature over time in relation to the change in cod distribution and the creation of habitat suitability indexes to show the sharp decline in suitable area for cod to spawn and live, since the onset of ocean and global warming trends. Marine biologists and fisheries managers shared their thoughts on which factors affect suitability for cod spawning including depth, substrate type, and temperature. These factors were used to create maps that show suitable areas for cod spawning from 1959 to the present, as well as predicting which areas will be suitable in the future until 2098. At present, the goal is to inform policy decisions about which areas must be protected to preserve what was once one of the region’s most abundant resources, cod. Over the past 2 years, Garrett Bellin, an undergraduate student at William & Mary, has performed GIS analysis to research and present cod disappearance at the National Science Foundation’s SCEMFIS conferences across the country using ArcGIS StoryMaps. GIS has proven to be an effective way to spread awareness about the disappearance of cod and ocean warming trends. In the past, fisheries experts used complicated and incomprehensible charts and diagrams to discuss this topic. Ocean warming and species/cod disappearance is an example of an issue where GIS visualizations have pushed government officials, fishing industry members, and scholars to rethink their misconceptions on the issue and understand the problem in a more digestible way.

Acknowledge: Roger Mann, Shannon White

Collaborate and engage with your communities using ArcGIS Hub. Join us to learn how to manage and organize real-world projects and initiatives, communicate progress toward shared goals, and use built-in engagement tools to capture stakeholder and community member participation. Presenters also highlight the use of Hub projects, initiatives, and the latest engagement tools, such as Hub events and discussion boards.

In this presentation, we will provide an overview of our process using object-classification methods in ArcGIS pro to identify, discover, and map sections of Sungbo’s Eredo in Nigeria. The William & Mary Center for Geospatial Analysis (CGA) is using LiDAR and Aerial Imagery data to identify and classify earthworks using remote sensing practices.

Sungbo’s Eredo is a series of defensive walls and ditches built in western Nigeria between 800-1000 AD. In collaboration with Professors Gerard Chouin and Neil Norman at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA, we are conducting and updating research on the Eredo based on the 1970s work of anthropologist Patrick J. Darling.

We will demonstrate how a combination of visual verification and machine learning approaches can be applied when identifying ditches over large areas with non-uniform topographical information. Join us as we discover further applications of manual and machine-based object-classification, verification, and cartographic methods to solve ground-level classification issues and aid in cultural preservation initiatives.

Acknowledge: Dr. Shannon White

The GIS Team for Public Works, City of Richmond, Virginia leverages ArcGIS Pro and Online to plan, record, and display the data from the inspections of the Paving program. This presentation shows the methodology and steps used in collecting, editing, and presenting the paving data to the Pavement Manager, Contractors, and the Auditors, and the ArcGIS Online features that are used.

Prior to using ArcGIS Online and Pro, the Pavement Manager and inspectors used six hard-copy forms and a humongous spreadsheet. The process used a large amount of paper and storage space and was very unwieldy. Finally, the amount of time spent with the City Auditors to defend the paving costs was long and stressful.
The agreement with the Paving Manager was that if the GIS Team could recreate the hard-copy paving forms in an ArcGIS Online app and present the large spreadsheet in a Dashboard, the Pavement Manager would agree to a pilot to use ArcGIS Online for the inspections. By using Survey123 to collect the paving data, ArcGIS Online web maps and apps to edit any errors in the data, and Dashboards to present the data collected, the GIS Team convinced the Pavement Manager to use ArcGIS Online maps and apps in the collection of paving data. One final upside of the digital data collection was that we provided the data layers to the City Auditors that allowed them to use the original data in their audit of the paving program. This step significantly decreased the total time that the Pavement Manager spends interacting with the auditors.

The conversion of the hard-copy forms and spreadsheet to ArcGIS Online apps decreased the amount of paper used in the process and resulted in fewer errors in converting the hard-copy forms to a digital spreadsheet. By being on ArcGIS Online, the data could be presented to the Pavement Manager, City Auditors, and contractors. This resulted in less stress for everyone involved and a quicker process to confirm the paving data.

GIS has abandoned a proprietary world for a more open enterprise environment, where many operational systems must successfully integrate. Maintaining staff with the skills to manage a modern GIS enterprise can be hard for many orgs and outside help is often sought for high-level support. Some vendors now offer Managed Services, which can take many forms, but is meant to support the enterprise GIS in some manner. This presentation will discuss GIS Managed Services in the technology industry.

This session is designed to cover the various facets of a professional career, especially from a geospatial perspective. Included will be a discussion of certification and professional credentials in general, and the GISP specifically, and how this area can help an individual succeed early and throughout one's career. GISPs who may have questions about renewing their certification are also encouraged to attend.

The GIS Certification Institute (GISCI) is a non-profit organization that promotes the advancement of proficient GIS professionals through its international GISP® (Certified GIS Professional) certification program. The Institute fosters rigorous professional and ethical standards, community engagement, and professional mentoring within the GIS industry.

In today's rapidly evolving world, integration of technologies is pivotal to staying ahead of the curve. This presentation will cover how ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Survey123 can reshape the way entities operate. We will show how integrating Survey 123 into existing systems and workflows can unlock unparalleled efficiencies, improve decision-making processes, and elevate overall productivity. We will cover 3 specific use cases that the Virginia Dept of Conservation & Recreation addressed: BMP Verification, Dam Inspections, and Vehicle mileage logging.

Attendees will gain insights into the seamless integration of Survey 123 with business systems. We will demonstrate how Survey123's capabilities enhance data accuracy and timeliness, enabling businesses to make data-driven decisions with confidence.

Furthermore, the presentation will discuss the relationship between Survey123 and ArcGIS Enterprise. We will discuss innovative methodologies to visualize Survey 123 data inside of enterprise business systems.

The PA Turnpike Commission manages a robust Esri ecosystem, including Enterprise, GeoEvent, Monitor, ArcGIS Online, a large Azure footprint, external web API integrations, and a large number of data update Python tasks. This presentation will focus on tips, tricks, and lessons learned to manage these various systems and integrations for streamlined administration and enhanced user experience.

Come see what is new and exciting at the GISCI and what we have planned for the future. This session is ideal for anyone that wants to learn more about the GISCI and the GISP program.

The GIS Certification Institute (GISCI) is a non-profit organization that promotes the advancement of proficient GIS professionals through its international GISP® (Certified GIS Professional) certification program. The Institute fosters rigorous professional and ethical standards, community engagement, and professional mentoring within the GIS industry.

While it can be difficult to find time to develop a strategic plan or roadmap, it provides organizations with the tools to be successful in the long-term. In this presentation, we will discuss some of the benefits and challenges that can be overcome by developing a GIS roadmap, revisiting and adjusting regularly, and using your plan to measure success. Elements of a successful roadmap will be discussed, including clearly defined goals and objectives, prioritizing activities for staff, engaging stakeholders, and more. JMT’s presentation will be told through the lens of roadmaps developed for both a mature GIS program and one that is just beginning to implement GIS.

Acknowledge:  Mallory Gill

The rapid advancements in geospatial technology present unprecedented opportunities to address complex global challenges such as urbanization, climate change, and resource management. However, harnessing this potential requires a systematic approach to innovation. This presentation presents a strategic framework for developing an innovation program focused on geospatial solutions. The framework outlines the key steps, including defining clear objectives, building multidisciplinary teams, leveraging emerging technologies, and establishing robust governance structures. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration with academic, industry, and government partners, fostering a culture of creativity and continuous learning, and measuring the impact of innovations through well-defined KPIs. The proposed process encourages rapid prototyping, real-world pilot testing, and scalable deployment, ensuring that solutions are both innovative and practical. By integrating ethical considerations and promoting sustainable practices, the framework aims to deliver geospatial innovations that not only meet current needs but also contribute to long-term societal and environmental well-being. This approach offers a comprehensive guide for organizations looking to systematically develop and implement impactful geospatial solutions.

Shoreline erosion is a serious environmental concern that impacts public safety, property values, and coastal ecosystems. This talk examines a thorough undergraduate research project that mapped coastal erosion in Virginia's state parks. Our team collected imagery, conducted site visits, and ran generative transect analysis using GIS software to create site-specific data for DCR's erosion management plans. Our goals were to calculate the rate of shoreline retreat within VA State Parks and identify areas of priority concern for funding allocation. We will discuss our techniques, including remote imagery digitization and field surveys that enabled us to make comprehensive erosion maps and pinpoint the most vulnerable locations. The results show notable patterns in erosion rates impacted by human development, sea level rise, and shoreline geology. Additionally, the project highlights the critical need to integrate interdisciplinary scientific fields into GIS work while showcasing undergraduate research in the Institute for Integrative Conservation at William and Mary.

Friends of Dragon Run (FODR) is dedicated to preserving land in the Dragon Run watershed, located in Virginia’s Upper Peninsula. The Dragon Run itself flows into the Piankatank River and is widely considered a pristine and untouched swampland in Virginia. Its watershed covers four countries: Gloucester, Middlesex, Essex, and King and Queen. FODR already owns and manages 650 acres along the shoreline of Dragon Run and uses them for conservation and educational purposes. We worked with FODR to help them determine which parcels in the Dragon Run watershed they should consider purchasing to preserve more land within this area. To accomplish this, we mapped the parcels within the watershed, and we decided on seven characteristics that we could use to evaluate how valuable they would be to FODR. These seven characteristics included Proximity to Dragon Run, Land cover type, Presence of conservation easements, Priority Conservation Zones, Bridge proximity, Price per acre, and Water nutrient load. Our finished suitability model would be used to help FODR make much more informed decisions.

Acknowledge:  Tori Carr, Jeff Wright, Dr. Rob Rose

In late 2021, Governor Bill Lee announced that Ford Motor Company and SK Innovation selected the 3,600 acre Megasite in Haywood County for a vehicle assembly and battery manufacturing campus. This Ford Motor Company campus, known as Blue Oval City (BOC), is expected to spur additional industrial, commercial, and residential development throughout West Tennessee.

As a result, many of the predominantly rural communities in the region face unprecedented
growth and development. In response to this, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community
Development (TNECD) is overseeing a five-year West Tennessee Planning effort to assist these
communities as they prepare for the anticipated growth catalyzed by BlueOval City. The West TN
Planning team is working with state, regional, and local agencies to understand the regional impact
of all aspects of community development. By leveraging Esri’s Hub solution, the project team has developed a custom, centralized website that provides both spatial and tabular context for the entirety of the project. From community webmaps, to meeting events and project documentation, the West TN Hub has become the single source of truth for project management, politicians, and stakeholders throughout the project. The site has additionally enabled the team to update and present spatial data in real time, including zoning/land use, development, and housing/socioeconomic data that are vital pieces of information for residents and businesses alike throughout the 21-county region.

In this session, you will learn from William & Mary’s Center for Geospatial Analysis (CGA) Fellows about their experiences with the advantages and challenges of transferring maps and data from Esri’s Web AppBuilder to Experience Builder. In the CGA, Fellows manage partnerships with agencies, student researchers and interns, and keep our center and lab open to build a geospatial community on campus. For nearly a decade, this collaborative project includes working with The Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth, established by the General Assembly in 1999. FeedVA (https://feedva.org/) is a statewide collaboration dedicated to understanding and publicly distributing data about Virginia trends in hunger, food access, and health. CGA Fellows create and manage the geospatial data provided by project partners. The maps in this partnership have evolved from single page to interactive maps in Web AppBuilder. Now, we have moved them into multimodal, data driven maps communicated through Experience Builder. Come learn our tips and tricks!

Acknowledge: Shannon White, Hannah Robbins

Located in Richmond, Virginia, Maymont is a 100-acre urban greenspace and popular regional attraction. “Maymont’s one hundred acres are populated with thousands of stunning trees and shrubs” (source). In the Fall of 2022, Maymont and VCU began a collaboration to expand the spatial capabilities of Maymont in data collection, maintenance and visualization of their extensive arboretum and plant collection. Guided by Maymont’s mission to connect people with nature, history, wildlife and each other, our project team used a solutions driven approach to migrate the tree data collection process to ArcGIS Online and Excel. During the process, the team learned about the rich history of Maymont, the value of trees ecologically, socially and economically, and how we can use ArcGIS Online to quantify and visualize the value Maymont, and their team, provides to our community. In this session, we will talk about the goals of Maymont, the value of experiential learning opportunities, the process undertaken to migrate, update and maintain tree data, and showcase how workflow, data collection and data visualization has changed with the use of Esri ArcGIS Online.

Many organizations do not know how to spell GIS. This presentation is focused on how to evanglize your work outside of the GIS/IT Department. GIS is a solution based application and making sure colleagues know the value that GIS can provide to their workflows is key in growing GIS across an organization. Getting GIS to the decision table allows you to help coordinate decisions that will have an impact on your organization.

Discover how introductory and readily approachable GIS tools can engage students in cross-curricular analytical thinking in K-12 education across diverse content areas. Leveraging tools such as Geoinquiries, Story Maps, and the National Geographic Map Maker, students can develop essential spatial thinking skills even without 1:1 licenses. Furthermore, the teacher does not require a technical background to be able to use these resources to enhance instruction. Case studies in history and science will be used to demonstrate how teachers can expand beyond pre-made lessons to customize learning goals. This session is designed both for teachers and for GIS professionals looking to support teachers.

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States, known for its ecological beauty and value. Unfortunately, it is also known for declined water quality due to urbanization. In 2010, the largest watershed clean up plan (or Total Maximum Daily Load, TMDL) was created to address impairments to the Chesapeake Bay. Over two-thirds of the state of Virginia drains to the Chesapeake Bay and has put forth efforts to reduce pollutant loading to the Chesapeake Bay. Also of ecological value in Virginia, Monarch Butterflies traverse this state on their annual migration route through the United States. Due to the continued reduction and threats to the Monarch’s habitat and feeding grounds, major conservation efforts have been undertaken by large land holders within Virginia and other states to preserve and enhance lands for the Monarch’s purposes. As one of the largest landholders in Virginia, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) plays a significant role in both of these ecological preservation efforts, and many of the initiatives for the Chesapeake Bay and Monarch Butterfly involve similar practices. In this presentation, we will discuss the practices used to enhance the ecology in Virginia, as well as the development of creating and tracking conserved lands for runoff reduction and pollinator habitat through Stantec’s technology solutions. Stantec used satellite-derived and mobile-LiDAR data to develop a land conservation baseline. Then, using a Geographic Information System (GIS) relational database, field observations and land management operations are tracked and reported. This solution streamlines the understanding of VDOT’s progress towards improvements for the Chesapeake Bay and the Monarch Butterfly.