Call for Content - NSGIC Midyear Conference

The Conference Planning Committee has released its only call for content for the 2010 Midyear Conference. The Conference is scheduled for March 7-10, at the Lowes Annapolis Hotel in Annapolis, MD.

Because of the reduced format of the Midyear meeting, we have little space for additional content. However, all suggestions for content are welcome. It is really very helpful if you include the names of individuals or groups that can present on the topic you suggest. So, to be fair, we should say that content suggestions with more content are more welcome.

Please submit your ideas/suggestions to Tony Spicci via e-mail. The conference committee will review all suggestions and attempt to accommodate as many as time permits. A separate call for state caucus topics will be made prior to the conference.

NSGIC Releases Broadband Database Model TEMPLATE

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released a Federal Register Notice for the State Broadband Data and Development Program in July, 2009. The program provides grant funding to States for preparation and semi-annual updates of broadband mapping. This notice included requirements for data describing the availability and technical characteristics of broadband services that are inherently spatial. Deliverables are required to be provided in specific formats (ASCII records according to a defined schema or GIS file formats for certain data).

The National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC) provides a unified voice of the States on geographic information and technology issues, advocates State interests, and supports its membership in their statewide initiatives. The Council actively promotes prudent geospatial information integration and systems development. As such, several NSGIC state representatives formed a workgroup to develop a data model template for ESRI Geodatabase (v 9.3) to support the requirements of the NTIA broadband mapping program.

“NSGIC leadership felt the NTIA Broadband Mapping effort would be most successful if a common data model is used, specifically one with table schemas. It should be noted that this is not the only means to provide the required data to NTIA. The data model is intended to assist states with their data organization and submission.” – Learon Dalby, NSGIC President

The ESRI 9.3.1 Geodatabase model includes metadata and table domains for all required deliverables. The file can be downloaded as a zipfile from the NSGIC Homepage.

Another Travel Guide to Cleveland (#nsgic2009)

Hard on the heels of the New York Times post about Cleveland, below, we're starting to get more information about this city in which NSGIC will hold its annual conference (#nsgic2009 for the cognoscenti). So let this post serve as an update-able semi-perma-post about that fair city.

In it, we can post information such as...

From Dan Widner (VA):
If you would like something fun to do on Sunday, consider a multi-modal transportation experience! The Cuyahoga Valley National Park contains the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath. You can combine the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad with a bike rental from the Peninsula store of Century Cycles to take your bicycle onboard the train and ride back to your starting point.

From the National Park Service website:

Discover the heart of Cuyahoga Valley National Park by walking, bicycling, or running on the Towpath Trail. You can travel the historic route of the Ohio & Erie Canal on the same path that mules walked to tow canal boats loaded with goods and passengers. From the trail, you can make connections to many natural and historic sites, as well as to Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR). Beyond the park, you can continue your journey on the Towpath Trail further along the Ohio & Erie Canalway.

What else should we know about coming in? Where, for example, are the best golf courses?

From Mike Mahaffie (DE):
Why not try using some mapping tools to note where fun things are?


View What to Do In and Around Cleveland in a larger map

This is a simple, open, crowd-sourced map of stuff mentioned above (so for). Feel free to add to it.

A Travel Guide to Cleveland (#nsgic2009)

We're getting close to travel time for the 2009 NSGIC Conference, in Cleveland, Ohio. Craig Niedig, who has some sort of USGS software that lets him read ahead into the near future, sent along a link to a Cleveland Travel Guide in this coming Sunday's NY Times travel section: 36 Hours in Cleveland.

It makes good reading and should be a useful resource for those wise enough to plan to join us along the Cuyahoga River in a city that, after some tough years, is bouncing back:

...instead of abandoning the city, local entrepreneurs and bohemian dreamers alike are sinking roots; opening a wave of funky boutiques, offbeat art galleries and sophisticated restaurants; and injecting fresh life into previously rusted-out spaces.

In-Coming NSGIC President to be Honored by URISA

The Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) has announced that it will induct NSGIC President-Elect Will Craig to its GIS Hall of Fame at its Annual Conference & Exhibition, starting September 29, in Anaheim, California.

Will, or Dr. William J. Craig as we should probably start calling him, will join such geo-luminaries as Edgar Horwood, Ian McHarg, Roger Tomlinson, Jack Dangermond, Nancy Tosta, Gary Hunter, Don Cooke, and Michael Goodchild in the hall of fame. He will also take over as NSGIC President at the 2009 Annual NSGIC Conference, starting October, 4, in Cleveland, Ohio.

URISA will also induct Dr. Carl Reed, the CTO and Executive Director of the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) Standards program, into the hall of fame. Dr. Reed "is a recognized geospatial technology visionary and evangelist."

Of Will, the URISA web site says, among other things:

In summary, Will Craig has made an outstanding lifetime contribution to the promotion and application of geographic information to deliver better outcomes for society. Over the past four decades his activities have been such that he has developed a network of professional colleagues around the world who hold him in the highest regard. He has always had the ability to provide insightful and thoughtful comments when offering his views and he is considered to be a true gentleman of our discipline. For young professionals there could be no better role model than Will Craig and as such he is a thoroughly deserving nominee to the URISA GIS Hall of Fame.

Speaking certainly for myself, and I think for many others in the NSGIC community, I heartily agree. We'll no doubt tease Will unmercifully about this, but we're pleased to see him get the recognition he deserves, and we're proud to know him and work with him.

MAGIC Formally Names a Liaison to NSGIC

The MidAmerica GIS Consortium (MAGIC) has appointed Tony Spicci to serve as liaison between MAGIC and NSGIC. The group took the action at its July meeting. Mr. Spicci is a past president of NSGIC and remains an active member. He also serves on the MAGIC Executive Committee.

The role of the MAGIC liaison to NSGIC is to act as a conduit between MAGIC and NSGIC and ensure that MAGIC states are represented at NSGIC events such as conferences and committee meetings. In the past MAGIC has been well-represented at NSGIC by MAGIC states (four of the past eight NSGIC presidents have been MAGIC members) but hasn't had a formalized liaison -- until now.

"The MAGIC Executive Committee decided that it was an appropriate time to formalize the position and responsibilities," Said Spicci. "The timing is appropriate; with everyone over-committed, a governance structure will help ensure that the position is successful and that the needs of the MAGIC states are met."

The MAGIC states will continue to remain active in NSGIC and MAGIC members will continue to serve in their various NSGIC roles.

"The liaison will not replace anyone, just provide coordination and information exchange, especially for those that can’t attend the meetings," explained Spicci.

As liaison, Mr. Spicci will speak for MAGIC states,when appropriate, but he will not represent states themselves. The states each have individual representation at NSGIC gatherings.

"My job isn't to make decisions or comments for states, but rather to take comments and decisions that the states make themselves and make sure they are heard at NSGIC," Spicci explained.

He noted that he will work with states prior to NSGIC meetings to discuss issues and gather information.

"When a MAGIC state can’t make a meeting or conference, the liaison can make sure that that that state's voice is heard,' he added. "The liaison can also act as a proxy when appropriate."

Spicci expects this to be a positive change for both MAGIC and NSGIC.

"Both organizations have common members, I think this is a great chance to bring more MAGIC members into the NSGIC dialog," he said. "I also think it’s a good chance to make sure all of the MAGIC folks know what’s going on in NSGIC and at the national level."

NSGIC Folk Featured on Capitol Hill

A current NSGIC Board member and two long-time friends of NSGIC (one a past-president) testified together in front of the Subcommittee On Energy And Mineral Resources at an oversight hearing On "Federal Geospatial Data Management" on Capitol Hill on July 23.

Full video of the hearing (WVX), which also included a panel testifying on legislation relating to the AmericaView program, is posted on the subcommittee web site, along with links to the written testimony of each of the panel members.

The Federal Geospatial Data Management panel included:

• Michael Byrne, the Geospatial Information Officer (GIO) of the State of California, who is a current member of the NSGIC Board of Directors. (Written testimony [PDF])
  
• Karen Siderelis, the GIO of the U.S. Department of the Interior, who was a long-time NSGIC member as GIS Coordinator for North Carolina and later as a USGS representative. And she served as President of NSGIC in 1999. (Written testimony [PDF])
• John Paletiello, Executive Director of the Management Association for Private Photogrammetric Surveyors (MAPPS), who has long attended NSGIC meetings and whose organization includes many of NSGIC's main corporate leadership partners. (Written testimony [PDF])
• Susan Marlow, the Chief Executive Officer of Smart Data Strategies, Inc., who is remembered by many in NSGIC for her work on the parcel study committee of the Mapping Science Committee. (Written testimony [PDF])

The subcommittee web site also includes the opening statement of Chairman Jim Costa (PDF).

Observers among the NSGIC membership, who watched on-line from around the nation, were well pleased with the hearing.

"I was most surprised by the interest of the Committee," said one. "Two self-described 'map fiends' and a former land state land commissioner were among the members. And they asked questions that showed their interest and knowledge."

A Few Words From the NSGIC President: What is Your Bandwidth?

The following is the eighth in a series of monthly guest-posts from 2008-2009 NSGIC President Learon Dalby, of Arkansas.

This is not about the bits and bytes your CPU can process, nor about the rate at which they are processed. This column is about your time, about our time as an organization.

NSGIC has been involved in a number of activities this year. Many of those have been brought to completion and highlighted on the blog, others are just continuing nags that never seem to end. No doubt we are all busy; often too busy doing our jobs to actually do our jobs.

I was recently surprised to learn the estimated amount of time our office is on the phone, email or using social media. I guess it really shouldn't have been such a big surprise since those are all tools for communication which is a requirement for coordination. Nonetheless, we are all juggling numerous things.

Now that I have you thinking…

Have you considered running for a NSGIC office; for President-Elect or for the NSGIC Board? No, I am serious! NSGIC needs you! A Call for Nominations went out on the membership listserv this week and I urge you to consider answering the call.

Have you thought about what should be on our next NSGIC Advocacy Agenda? Get ready, the call for submissions for the 2009-2010 Advocacy Agenda will be out soon. If there's an issue that is important to you, please submit it for consideration. And be be prepared to serve as a lead if your issue becomes part of the final NSGIC Advocacy Agenda. This is a very important part of what we do. This agenda keeps us focused; without it we would lose sight of the end game and waste our bandwidth chasing whatever is the issue of the day.

I leave you with a quote from one of my favorite books, Good to Great.

Good is the enemy of great. And that is one of the key reasons why we have so little that becomes great.

NSGIC needs you, your time, your energy, your interest. Your bandwidth.

Plan on Being in Cleveland in October

Registration is now open for the 2009 NSGIC Annual Conference: Fifty States Rockin' Solid.

The conference will be held at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel (in Ohio, as you might expect) from October 4 through 8. The preliminary agenda (in Excel format) includes state caucus sessions, committee meetings, workshops, open discussions with private sector partners, homeland security training sessions and open-mic sessions. There will be a social event at the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame.

The registration fee for members is $485 by September 4, it is $570 after September 4, and $670 if after September 25. For non-members, registration is $685 before September 4, $770 after that date, and $870 if after September 25. For all non-sponsoring corporate attendees, the registration fee is $1,500.

On-line registration is available as well as a downloadable PDF registration form.

Google on Geospatial Data Sharing

Dylan Lorimer, of Google's Strategic Partnerships Team, has posted some thoughts on the Google Lat Long Blog on why and how Google would like to share data from state and local governments.

In the post (Why we believe in geospatial data sharing), he points to recent blog posts from Google about their interest in sharing data, and notes the importance of working with state and local partners:

We undertake these partnerships because, by definition, organizations like local governments are the most authoritative source of geospatial data for their jurisdiction.

But, he adds, with so many state and local government agencies now providing data, it is important for Google to work with "organizations that seek to streamline access to and simplify the sharing of geospatial data." And we're pleased to see NSGIC used as an example.

Several Google folks were with us at the NSGIC Midyear in Annapolis, and we had some good discussions about issues of data sharing between the states and Google (similar to our on-going conversation with federal partners). Mr. Lorimer points to a shared support, among Google, NSGIC and federal partners, for development of the NSDI and important initiatives such as Imagery for the Nation.

From those discussions has come a set Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about sharing data with Google, which is now posted as part of the Google Map Content Partners site.

He finishes with a look ahead:

We applaud the work of GIS agency managers and policymakers who are working, at all levels of government, to ensure that the public's investment in geospatial data is shared and thereby used across agencies and governments, but also is made readily available to the public through free services like Google Maps. We look forward to collaborating with NSGIC and other organizations to advance such efforts in data sharing.

GIS is Now Widely Discussed as a Tool for Economic Stimulus

This month has seen a flurry of activity around several proposals to use the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) to guide and organize the national stimulus plan. The NSGIC Board is tracking the issue closely (through the impressive and diligent efforts of NSGIC President Learon Dalby and Washington Liaison Bill Burgess) and has authorized letters of support for several proposals.

The issue is starting to generate a broader discussion, with commenters from all sides considering the value of the NSDI and efforts over the years to achieve it as a vision of an interconnected series of data sets used by all levels of government, and others, to serve their clients and constituents.

Adena Schutzberg has been tracking the various proposals, and some reaction to them at All Points Blog. She has also posted the full text of the recent letter to Congress from COGO on the subject.

Sean Gorman, of the Off the Map blog, has started a discussion of the NSDI proposals and asked for thoughts that might counter what he describes as hie own "cynical" reaction:

I’m as bullish on the potential of the Geoweb as anyone, but I think we have to ask some hard questions. What is the customer really demanding? Further, what is the cheapest way we can deliver the most value to the customer? How can fulfilling those demands best grow the economy?

Later in the week, Mr. Gorman returned to the discussion with a more hopeful post about the inherent good in the NSDI proposals: an emphasis on making government data public.

David Smith, on his Surveying, Mapping and GIS blog, approached the issue with a brief history of the idea of the NSDI, an overview of the present proposals, and a call for continued discussion:

The hope is that the community can have an open, informed discussion of these elements and proposals, along with all of the key context, history and background. And hopefully adequate open forums will become available for doing so.

Finally (not really, but for now), NSGIC veteran Ted Koch, of Wisconsin, has posted a thoughtful review of the situation on the Wisconsin Mapping Bulletin:

While it’s unlikely that GIS, per se, will be included in any economic stimulus bill, a small contingent of folks in Washington continue to advocate for some inclusion of expanding the collection of spatial information. The House of Representatives may be voting on the Bill this week, followed by the Senate. Following votes by both Congressional chambers, differences will have to be reconciled. Possibly within that upcoming timeframe, GIS will get its due recognition.

This is by no means at that has been said, or will be said, about this issue. But it is what I've been reading this week. I'm sure there will be more. I plan to keep a list of links to other such discussions as we go along, using the delicious.com tag "nsdi-stimulus."

Please feel free to suggest other such discussion in the comments.

Issue Brief: Imagery for the Nation and NAIP

NSGIC has published an issue brief (PDF) on the National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) as a component of Imagery for the Nation (IFTN). The brief, one of a series of issue briefs focused on the organization's 2008 - 2009 Advocacy Agenda (PDF), presents an overview of imagery and why it is important, sets a vision for the future, and suggests actions to achieve that vision.

The issue brief notes that orthorectified imagery, from aerial photography and from satellite imagery, provides a basis for most GIS applications and explains that uncoordinated imagery acquisition is increasing the cost to the public for this imagery.

By establishing basic standards and using large area contracts, the quality of imagery for all applications can be significantly improved while its cost is considerably lowered. Establishing an effective national program will resolve these issues and result in a program that works for all levels of government and provides benefits to the public and private sector.

The vision for the future includes "a sustainable and flexible digital imagery program that meets the needs of local, state, regional, tribal and federal agencies and is in the public domain."

The achieve that vision, the NSGIC issue brief suggests that congress:

• Establish the National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) as a “line item” in the budget,
• Direct USDA to spend all NAIP funds on the acquisition of imagery and reasonable costs to administer the program, and
• Provide approximately $42 million per year for a fully functional program.
  

The issue brief provides more detail and additional information. it is part of a series that also looks at Transportation for the Nation, Nationwide Parcel Mapping, the NSDI Cooperative Agreements Program (CAP) Grants, and improved Technology for the 21st Century.

Six Word Challenge Results: NSGIC in 3 Years

At the recent NSGIC Leadership Strategic Retreat, there was a brief, but serious, discussion of where NSGIC should find itself in three years time. NSGIC Strategic Plans are written in three-year increments and it makes little sense to plan how you plan to get there if you don't really know where you are going.

This seemed like a good excuse to toss out another "6-word challenge." The first, "How will we achieve a true National Spatial Data Infrastructure?" was posted in the last "paper" issue of the NSGIC Newsletter. This time, the question was "where will NSGIC be in three years?"

The following are some of the responses (some were trimmed to keep this blog's PG rating).

• Central nervous system facilitating federated GIS.
• Financially stable: imagery, transportation, height, elevation.
• Coordinated geospatial advocates for the nation.
• Realizing our dreams for the nation.
• Facilitating the Global Spatial Data Infrastructure.
• Still Optimistically Waiting For The NSDI.
• Blissfully Counting For The Nation Initiatives.
• Still Waiting For For The IFTN.
• National Spatial Data Infrastructure Reduction Sale.
• Up a Creek Without A GPS.
• Finally Holding The Conference In Hawaii.
• Using NSDI(s) to solve global problems.
• A sustained organization impacting public policy.
• Still fighting furiously for the NSDI.
• Bringing people together to build consensus.
• Leading the way with our friends.
• Banging heads against the same wall.
• Same ‘ole stuff, different geospatial day.

You'll have to await completion of the NSGIC Strategic Plan to see the actual three year goals.

NSGIC Conference Report 2

Tuesday (day 3) of the NSGIC Annual Conference began with a presentation by Dr. Steven Corbett, of Loma Linda University, on the Advanced Emergency Geographical Information System (AEGIS). AEGIS is a GIS-enabled emergency management application that brings dependable situational awareness to the managers of emergency operations and to the front-line responders.

NSGIC President Cy Smith (Oregon) gave an overview of the proposed Strategic Framework for the National Spatial data Infrastructure (NSDI). The proposal includes six strategies:

• Fully implement and maintain fifty state-level Spatial Data Inventories (SSDIs).
• Create a functional governance structure.
• Enable more "For the Nation" initiatives such as the Imagery for the Nation Initiatives now gaining traction.
• Implement a national funding strategy.
• Improve advocacy for and communication about the NSDI.develop and implement a tech strategy to achieve SSDI and NSDI
• Develop and implement a technical strategy to enable both state and national spatial data infrastructures.

Following the NSDI discussion, the first of two NSGIC business meetings were held. This one featured annual reports from the several NSGIC committees and presentation of a number of awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award to Ted Koch (Wisconsin).

Following lunch, Will Craig (Minnesota) led a panel discussion of lessons learned from efforts to create statewide address data sets. Panelists shared success, failures, and advice from efforts to create address data for West Virginia, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont, Indiana, and Virginia. Utah's Bert Granberg, blogging from the front row (on the right), has a nice, detailed write-up of this session.

A panel of NSGIC Corporate Leadership Council members held a discussion about enterprise licensing and data licensing. Many states are now working with software vendors and imagery contractors to take advantage of licensing.

Zsolt Nagy (North Carolina) led a panel discussion on archiving digital data. The panel included representatives from archiving and GIS organizations in North Carolina, Utah, and Kentucky as well as from the Library of Congress.

Ted Koch (Wisconsin) and Vickie Lucas (USGS) gave an update on progress on the Imagery for the Nation initiative. They reviewed actions by IFTN committee and support for the idea recently voiced by the US Secretary of the Interior.

The day ended with a BBQ picnic and bonfire at a nearby stables. There was a heavy rain shower, but it coincided with the eating and chatting portion of the evening, which took place in a tent. After dinner, the rain stopped and the crowd gathered around the fire for a loose, rambling bluegrass concert by Denver's Long Road Home.

Ten BIG Pages of NSGIC News!

The Summer 2008 Edition of NSGIC News (PDF) has hit the newsstands!!!

Well, to the extent that you consider the NSGIC web site to be a news stand. It is public and NSGIC News is displayed there, so that's like a newsstand.

Never mind that... The Summer Edition of NSGIC News is out! It is ten big pages of news about NSGIC. And in it you can read about the latest efforts of NSGIC's leadership to help coordinate among state, local and federal agencies!

You can read about The National Map! And about a new addressing white paper! And about the Annual NSGIC Conference!

Learn more about COGO! (What is COGO? We refer you to the latest NSGIC News; page 4.)

But that's not all! Meet Katherine Kapo, NSGIC's newest state coordinator and the one-woman focus-group who bravely tested the new NSGC "webterview!"

But wait, there's more!

We also present the results of the first-ever NSGIC Six-Word "How-To" Challenge: How will we achieve a true National Spatial Data Infrastructure?

And we're not even telling you all that is found in the latest NSGIC News. It is really hard to maintain this breathless excitement while typing; but just you trust us, there's more!

And it is all for you in the Summer 2008 Edition of NSGIC News (PDF).

A Discussion of the Roles of the GIO and the State GIS Coordinator

The latest Directions on the News podcast features a discussion of the implications of the recent announcement of plans to appoint a GIO (Geospatial Information Officer) for the Department of the Interior. Joe Francica and Adena Schutzberg explore two basic some questions about the idea: is there time to find the right person? And, what should be the role of a GIO for such a large agency?

Two models fro the GIO role were discussed. One is a CIO focused on geographic issues. Ms. Shutzberg noted that a CIO tends to be a technology leader, someone who focuses on the technology sides of things but not as much on coordination with other levels of government.

The other model is that of the GIS Coordinators who make up much of the NSGIC membership, whose role "tends to be more about ... being the champion for GIS in the state."

Ms. Shutzberg added that a State GIS Coordinator does have to have some technical savvy (and that some have a great deal of technical savvy) but that the coordinator role is broader.

"...unifying the troops. Getting the partnerships together. Creating the vision. Working with the Governor and other state agencies. And it is far more of a, dare I say, political sort of role."

Joe Francica added that the State GIS Coordinator also serves as a liaison between the local and federal levels.

Both agreed that the GIO for a large federal agency such as Interior will need to fit the political role, and be able to coordinate among agencies and levels of government, with strong technical know-how. They concluded that the new GIO will have to be a "high-powered individual" and that it is a real question whether or not there will be time to find and appoint the right person before the end of the current administration.

This podcast makes interesting listening for all of those who work with agencies within the Department of the Interior, for those who now work as GIOs and for those who are State GIS Coordinators. Our roles are growing and changing as we adapt the shifting geospatial industry and the rapid growth of the use and sharing of geospatial data and information.

A More Formal COGO Announcement

The URISA Coalition of Geospatial Organizations (COGO) page now features a formal announcement of the "officialization" of COGO. The announcement includes a more complete list of founding member organizations and founding advisory organizations and a word from NSGIC president (and COGO Chair) Cy Smith, of Oregon:

"I know I speak for all organizations that have joined this coalition when I say that we are excited and optimistic about the potential to accelerate the advancement of a variety of national geospatial issues."

NSGIC is among the founding members, so we'll keep an eye on, and link to, COGO developements as they occur.

Directions on the News Podcast Previews 2007 NSGIC Annual Conference

Joe Francica and Adena Schutzberg, of Directions Media, have posted a 12-minute Directions on the News podcast that looks ahead to the 2007 NSGIC Conference in Madison, Wisconsin.

In their discussion, Joe and Adena review the importance of GIS Coordination at all levels of government and discuss the potential for the new position of GIO (Geographic Information Officer) to meet that need.

They explore the differences between the roles of a GIO and a data coordinator and various areas in which each needs to have some expertise, from the technical, to the managerial, to the political.

There is also a brief discussion of the need to develop new GIS leaders for the future. Adena notes the role that NSGIC is now playing in developing new state-level leaders. She also points to the new URISA Leadership Academy and to new aspects of some Masters in Geographic Information Sciences programs.

Summer/Fall 2007 NSGIC News Now Available

The Summer/Fall 2007 edition of NSGIC News (PDF) has been added to the collected NSGIC Newsletters on the NSGIC web site.

This edition includes an informative update from NSGIC President Stu Davis (Ohio) and information on a variety of topics of interest to the NSGIC membership:

• Using Ramona to update the NSGIC State Summaries
• Plans for the annual conference in Madison
• The Cost Benefit Analysis for Imagery for the Nation
• Honoring members of your GIS community
• The 2010 Census
• Nominations to the National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC)
• USGS/State Partnerships for the NSDI
• National Hydro Data
• And more!

NSGIC News is published semi-annually share information about NSGIC activities and related state and federal initiatives.

Another (the Official) Update on Imagery for the Nation

The first of a planned series of Imagery for the Nation (IFTN) updates has been posted to the NSGIC web site.

Imagery for the Nation is a cooperative effort to make real a vision of "a sustainable and flexible digital imagery program that meets the needs of local, state, regional, tribal and federal agencies."

Update #1 (PDF) looks at several on-going activities related to the effort:

• Work now under way on a Cost Benefit Analysis study.
• Thoughts on the idea from the Western Governors Association.
• Recent discussions on potential funding options.
• Next steps and "what can I do to help?"

One answer to that last question is very simple:

You can assist the implementation of IFTN by showing your support for this initiative. Please have your organization send a letter of support to NSGIC for posting on its web page. You can simply use the format from one of the letters on the site, or create your own format. What’s important is your show of support.

Stay connected to the NSGIC blog and to the IFTN web site for further updates.