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 (CAP), and improved Technology for the 21st Century.

A Few Words from the NSGIC President: Join us in Annapolis!

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

The 2009 NSGIC Midyear Conference will be held February 22 through 25 in Annapolis, Maryland. We hope you will join us as we focus on our Advocacy Agenda items for 2008 and 2009:

• Imagery for the Nation,
  
• Parcel Mapping,
• Transportation for the Nation,
  
• Partnership Funding, and
  
• Technology for the 21st Century

We'll discuss progress on these initiatives, plans to continue that progress, and the many positive impacts these initiatives will have on GIS coordination in the states and at the national level.

NSGIC meetings provide an opportunity for state GIS Coordinators to meet and learn from one another. They share their state coordination success stories and the challenges they have overcome. They meet with federal representatives to learn about programs relevant to state efforts and to identify potential funding and partnership opportunities.

The midyear conference in Annapolis provides an opportunity to meet with legislators and push initiatives specific to each state and to support the NSGIC Advocacy Agenda. Our 2008-2009 Advocacy Agenda is the strongest yet. We are seeing real movement at the national level on initiatives like IFTN – movement that translates into coordinated federal investment in GIS data and process.

The 2009 Midyear will conclude on Capitol Hill with a NSGIC Tech Expo "Fifty States for the Nation: Navigating Change and Mapping Opportunities."

Representation by individual states is vital to advocacy and coordination efforts, and is critical this year due to the changes that will occur in Washington as a result of the changing Administration. It is crucial that we keep these efforts moving forward.

The nation is in a transition phase this month and will start moving forward in a new direction in January. President-Elect Obama has done more than just talk about technology, he has embraced it. That makes our participation even more important.

NSGIC’s core values – relationship-building, coordination, stakeholder involvement, and shared solutions – have never been more relevant. NSGIC’s voice is strongest when it is the combined voice of all of the states. The NSGIC Midyear Conference is an opportunity to come together and make a difference.

A Few Words from the NSGIC President: GO...GO...GO...

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

I have quickly learned that NSGIC is on the go.

The NSGIC Board met last week in Fort Worth, Texas, to begin a process that will result in an updated NSGIC strategic plan. The last strategic plan was completed in 2005. It is always interesting to see how an organization has progressed over time.

NSGIC continues to mature its advocacy strategy, which I view as extremely important. Stop and think about all of the ways that geospatial technologies impact (or are impacted by) business processes. It becomes easy to lose focus without a clear purpose and an advocacy agenda. I believe NSGIC has developed each of these critical components which enable this organization to remain focused.

It is imperative that NSGIC stay the course. A strong strategic plan and advocacy agenda will ensure we are prepared to respond to opportunities that present themselves in the coming months and years while keeping our focus on our purpose, as stated in the NSGIC Bylaws (PDF):

...to encourage effective and efficient government through the coordinated development of geographic information and technologies to ensure that information may be integrated at all levels of government.

NSGIC's 2009-2010 Advocacy Agenda (PDF) includes:

• Imagery for the Nation
• Parcel Mapping
• Partnership Funding
• Transportation for the Nation, and
• Technology for the 21st Century

I look forward to working on your behalf to support each of these efforts. I encourage you to identify a role in NSGIC you are passionate about and get involved.

NSGIC Releases Advocacy Agenda

The National States Geographic Information Council has released its 2008-2009 Advocacy Agenda (PDF). The Advocacy Agenda is developed each year by the organization's Outreach Committee and presented to the membership for consideration at the Annual Conference.

The Advocacy Agenda focuses on five specific initiatives:

• Imagery for the Nation
• Parcel Mapping
• Partnership Funding
• Transportation for the Nation
• Technology for the 21st Century

The 2008-2009 Advocacy Agenda builds on earlier versions and incorporates lessons learned and issues developed over the past year. The Agenda represents the combined concerns of state GIS Coordinators and their partners in local government, in Academia, and in the private sector. It maintains a focus on NSGIC's commitment to "efficient and effective government through the prudent adoption of geospatial technology."