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Project Geospatial

Project Geospatial

Project Geospatial is a non-profit media organization committed to growth, innovation and collaboration among academic, commercial and government partners in the geospatial industry. We believe a revolution is coming in geospatial technology – big data is democratizing, satellites are shrinking, and the science of where has never been more important to the health and future of our planet. We provide a leading voice in geospatial industry trends, insights and cross-industry applications to help inspire and conspire with the next generation of great geospatial ideas.

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  • 39 episodes
  • Avg 14 min
  • English

Episodes 39

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  • Monday · 53 min

    FedGeoDay 2025 | Panel - Demystifying AI

    This panel, moderated by Bill Doins, features experts Emily Cala, Jason Gilman, Ron Goldblat, and Jackie Kaisle discussing the role of AI in the federal geospatial landscape and demystifying common terminology. Panelists share diverse applications of AI they are working on, from detecting insights and optimizing workflows to image analysis for damage assessment and predicting disease outbreaks. They address the often vague definitions of terms like AI, machine learning, and LLMs, emphasizing the need for clarity and a "problem-first" approach. Challenges and opportunities with federal geospatial data include acquiring sufficient labeled data (discussing synthetic data and newer models), ensuring data quality, and using open standards. Ethical considerations are paramount, focusing on privacy, addressing biases (geographical, temporal, social/demographic), and the need for transparency and explainability in AI outputs. The panel stresses that AI is a tool requiring careful implementation and validation, not a magical shortcut, particularly in critical government applications where inaccuracies can have serious consequences. They discuss the relatively slow pace of federal AI adoption but see opportunities for time savings and leveraging collaboration across government, academia, and industry, recommending focus on proven solutions and community-led specifications rather than chasing every new trend. Ensuring accuracy for critical applications may involve methods like model factories and human-in-the-loop verification, while security concerns like "rag poisoning" highlight the need for trusted data sources and rigorous testing. • Panel discusses the use of AI in the federal geospatial space and aims to demystify related terminology. • Panelists share diverse applications including insights detection, workflow optimization, image analysis for damage assessment, and disease prediction. • Discusses the often vague definitions of AI, machine learning, LLMs, etc., and emphasizes the need for clarity. • Advocates for a "problem-first, model-second" approach to AI adoption. • Highlights challenges with federal geospatial data for AI, such as the need for labeled data, metadata quality, and leveraging open standards. • Explores concepts like synthetic data and newer zero-shot/one-shot models to address labeled data scarcity. • Emphasizes critical ethical considerations: privacy concerns (protecting personally identifiable information), addressing biases (geographical, temporal, social/demographic), and the need for transparency and explanability in AI outputs. • Stresses that AI is a tool requiring thoughtful understanding and implementation, not a magic shortcut. • Notes the relatively slow pace of AI adoption in the federal government but sees opportunities for time savings and efficiencies. • Discusses ensuring accuracy for critical applications, requiring validation, potentially using model factories and human verification. • Addresses security concerns, including the concept of "rag poisoning" for LLMs, highlighting the importance of trusted data sources and rigorous testing. • Suggests cutting through AI hype by focusing on proven, practical solutions. • Recommends collaboration across government, academia, and industry as crucial for advancing AI adoption. • Discusses the tension between setting standards and the rapid pace of AI development, suggesting community-led specifications (like STAC) might be more effective than rigid standards. For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com #FedGeoDay #Geospatial #AI #MachineLearning #LLMs #ArtificialIntelligence #FederalGovernment #Resilience #EmergencyManagement #OpenSource #OpenData #Ethics #Bias #Cybersecurity #DataValidation #Collaboration #GIS

  • Monday · 6 min

    FedGeoDay 2025 | Lightning Talk - Shane Brennan

    Shane Brennan discusses a method for classifying 3D point clouds by leveraging 2D computer vision techniques. He focuses on point cloud data collected from moving vehicles equipped with LiDAR sensors, explaining that this data can be represented as panoramic images containing information like range. The core idea is to apply existing 2D object detection and segmentation models, such as YOLO, to these panoramic images to identify and classify objects at the pixel level. Because the pixel location in the panoramic image can be accurately mapped back to the original 3D point cloud using the range and angular measurements, the 2D classification can be efficiently propagated to the corresponding 3D points. Shane highlights that this approach is particularly effective when integrated with Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) processes, allowing for classification while mapping the environment. He notes that this method offers an advantage over traditional 3D point cloud deep learning techniques, which often require large amounts of difficult-to-produce labeled 3D training data. • Discusses a method for classifying 3D point clouds using 2D computer vision techniques. • Focuses on point cloud data acquired from moving vehicles equipped with LiDAR sensors. • Explains that LiDAR data can be represented as panoramic images containing useful information like range. • Proposes applying 2D object detection and segmentation models (like YOLO) to these panoramic images to classify pixels. • Highlights the ability to propagate 2D pixel classifications back to the original 3D point cloud using range and angular measurements. • Notes that this method is particularly useful in the context of Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). • Presents this approach as an advantage over 3D deep learning methods that require difficult-to-produce labeled 3D data. • Mentions the use of a structured LiDAR sensor like the Ouster OS1. For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com #FedGeoDay #Geospatial #PointClouds #LiDAR #ComputerVision #MachineLearning #AI #YOLO #SLAM #3DData #ObjectDetection #Segmentation

  • Monday · 5 min

    FedGeoDay 2025 | Lightning Talk - Ryan Burley

    Ryan Burley from GeoSolutions discusses their involvement in developing and supporting open source geospatial software and applications for climate resilience and emergency management. GeoSolutions is a key contributor and steering committee member for prominent open source projects like GeoServer, GeoNode, and MapStore. They support various customers, including those in critical domains such as Sea Island Software (Hurrvac), NOAA (NowCoast for near-realtime OGC services via GeoServer), and Critical Response Group (CRG), providing customized GeoServer solutions to deliver floor plans and raster data quickly to first responders. GeoSolutions specializes in managing and delivering large, complex spatiotemporal data from sensors to end-user applications, working across diverse sectors. He also highlights MapStore as a flexible web mapping framework for visualization and dashboards and mentions their expertise in Cesium 3D Tiles. Ryan provides an update on the upcoming GeoServer 3, a significant crowdfunded upgrade to modernize its underlying technologies, expected to be released in late 2025. • Discusses GeoSolutions' role in developing and supporting open source geospatial software for climate resilience and emergency management. • GeoSolutions provides core code developers and steering committee members for projects like GeoServer, GeoNode, and MapStore. • Supports various customers, including Sea Island Software (Hurrvac), NOAA's NowCoast service (using GeoServer for OGC services), and Critical Response Group (CRG) (custom GeoServer for first responders). • Specializes in the ingest and delivery of complex, large spatiotemporal data from sensor to end-user applications. • Works across diverse industries, including maritime security, smart cities, precision agriculture, transportation, and energy. • Highlights MapStore as a versatile web mapping framework for front-end visualization and dashboarding. • Mentions GeoSolutions is a Cesium certified developer organization with expertise in 3D Tiles. • Provides an update on the major upgrade to GeoServer 3, a crowdfunded effort expected for release in late 2025, which modernizes its security framework and JDK version. • Lists various online resources for learning more about GeoSolutions and these open source projects. For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com #FedGeoDay #Geospatial #OpenSource #Resilience #EmergencyManagement #GeoServer #GeoNode #MapStore #GeoSolutions #OGC #SpatialData #ClimateResilience #CriticalResponseGroup #NOAA #Hurrvac

  • Monday · 5 min

    FedGeoDay 2025 | Lightning Talk - Quincy Morgan

    Quincy Morgan introduces Layer Cake, a new cloud-native tool from OpenStreetMap US providing access to OpenStreetMap (OSM) data in the GeoParquet format. He highlights OpenStreetMap as the world's largest free, editable vector data repository, fostering collaboration and digital democracy. OpenStreetMap US supports this ecosystem in the United States. Layer Cake offers a direct and easy way to access this data, currently providing weekly updates for building and highway layers. A key feature is exposing significantly more raw OSM tag data than many other tools and containing only OSM data, offering users a closer connection to the source. The GeoParquet format facilitates easy querying and integration with various tools like DuckDB, QGIS, and ArcGIS Analytics. The objective behind Layer Cake is to increase OSM adoption and usage, thereby supporting digital democracy and building resilience by giving users control over non-proprietary data. OpenStreetMap US also supports various other tools and initiatives, including a planned vector tile service. • Introduces Layer Cake, a new cloud-native tool from OpenStreetMap US for accessing OSM data. • Provides access to OpenStreetMap (OSM) data in GeoParquet format. • Highlights OSM as the world's largest repository of free, editable vector data, promoting collaboration and digital democracy. • Offers a direct and easy way to query OSM data, currently providing buildings and highways layers with weekly updates. • Exposes significantly more raw OSM tag data compared to other solutions. • Contains only OSM data, with no third-party additions. • The GeoParquet format enables easy integration and querying with tools like DuckDB, QGIS, Pandas, and ArcGIS Analytics. • Aims to support OSM adoption and usage, which helps build resiliency by providing control over non-proprietary data. • Mentions OpenStreetMap US also supports tools like MapRoulette, OSMcha, and Field Papers, and has working groups for collaboration. • Announces a coming vector tile service to make using OSM easier in web maps. For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com #FedGeoDay #Geospatial #OpenSource #OpenStreetMap #OSM #LayerCake #GeoParquet #CloudNative #VectorData #DataAccess #Resilience #DigitalDemocracy #Community

  • Monday · 5 min

    FedGeoDay 2025 | Lightning Talk - Jason Gilman

    Jason Gilman from Element 84 discusses how to ensure reliability when combining large language models (LLMs) and AI with geospatial data to enable users to ask natural language questions and receive accurate, reliable answers. He introduces "natural language geocoding," a technique developed to translate a user's natural language description of an area (like "within 10 kilometers of the coast") into a precise geographic polygon. This process involves an LLM understanding the request and converting it into a structured graph or tree representing the necessary steps (e.g., database lookups, spatial operations). The key to reliability, he explains, is separating the non-deterministic LLM understanding phase from the deterministic execution phase based on the structured graph. He suggests measuring the accuracy of the LLM's interpretation using a metric called graph edit distance. This approach not only allows for more intuitive user interaction but also enables users to guide AI-driven analyses, such as specifying the type of change they seek in change detection tasks. He also highlights the power of using graphs to represent analysis workflows for execution on distributed computing clusters. • Discusses ensuring reliability when combining LLMs and AI with geospatial data for natural language interactions. • Aims to enable users to ask natural language questions and receive reliable, precise geospatial answers. • Introduces "natural language geocoding" to convert natural language area descriptions (e.g., "within 10 kilometers of the coast") into precise geographic polygons. • Explains the process: an LLM understands the request and converts it into a graph/tree of steps (database lookups, spatial operations). • Highlights the design principle of separating the non-deterministic LLM part from the deterministic execution part for enhanced reliability. • Suggests measuring the accuracy of the LLM's output using graph edit distance. • Demonstrates how this approach allows users to guide AI analysis by specifying parameters, such as the type of change desired in change detection. • Mentions representing workflows as graphs is powerful for execution on clusters. For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com #FedGeoDay #Geospatial #AI #LLMs #NaturalLanguageProcessing #Geocoding #Reliability #Element84 #GeospatialData #MachineLearning #GraphEditDistance

  • Monday · 5 min

    FedGeoDay 2025 | Lightning Talk - Ghermay Araya

    Ghermay Araya highlights the critical role of address data and management systems as foundational, often "hidden," spatial data infrastructure essential for everyday use cases like emergency response, service delivery, and economic operations. He notes the current federated approach in the US, where addresses are locally generated and aggregated, but points out the lack of a national unified address management process and its negative consequences. Accurate and uniform address data, enabled by authoritative local data and seamless cross-jurisdiction connections, can lead to powerful positive outcomes, including improved emergency response (potentially saving lives), better disaster planning, fair property management, and smarter business decisions. Conversely, poor address data is costly and can lead to critical delays and inefficiencies. G argues that modern, open, and accessible address management is no longer optional but is a critical infrastructure needed for technological advancements, including AI training. He encourages adhering to FGDC address standards and contributing to the US DOT's National Address Database. • Highlights address data and address management solutions as critical, often hidden, spatial data infrastructure. • Discusses their core role in everyday use cases such as emergency response, service delivery, and economic operations. • Notes the current federated approach to address generation in the US but emphasizes the lack of a single unified national process and its cascading effects. • Stresses that accurate, uniform addresses, based on authoritative local data and seamless cross-jurisdiction connection, provide powerful outcomes (e.g., legal recognition, service access, better disaster planning, smart business decisions). • Warns of the direct, costly consequences of poor address data, including delays in emergency response that could lead to deaths. • Argues that modern address management, particularly in an open and accessible format, is critical infrastructure and no longer optional. • Emphasizes the importance of open address management for training AI and enabling technological breakthroughs. • Encourages adherence to FGDC address standards and contribution to the US DOT's National Address Database. For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com #FedGeoDay #Geospatial #OpenSource #AddressData #AddressManagement #SpatialDataInfrastructure #EmergencyResponse #Resilience #ServiceDelivery #OpenData #FGDC #NationalAddressDatabase

  • Monday · 7 min

    FedGeoDay 2025 | Lightning Talk - Galen Scott

    Galen Scott from NOAA's National Geodetic Survey (NGS) presents on the upcoming modernization of the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS). He emphasizes the foundational importance of geodesy, the science of measuring Earth's size and shape, for all geospatial data and mapping, describing it as nation-building science crucial for modern applications like autonomous vehicles and smart cities. Galen explains that the current spatial reference systems are outdated and unable to fully support a spatially enabled society. He highlights that the modernization will result in changes to every latitude, longitude, and height coordinate across the country. The presentation outlines three primary methods for transitioning existing geospatial data to the new system—re-surveying, reprocessing original observations, or transforming coordinates—detailing the trade-offs in accuracy and cost for each. Galen stresses the need for organizations to prepare now by inventorying their data and metadata, determining migration needs, and ensuring future data collection includes complete metadata and preservation of original observations. He mentions that beta systems for testing are expected soon, with official approval anticipated next year, and underscores that successful adoption relies on collaboration across the entire geospatial community. • Discusses the upcoming modernization of NOAA's National Spatial Reference System (NSRS). • Emphasizes that geodesy (science of Earth's size/shape) is the foundation for all geospatial data and mapping. • Describes geodesy as nation-building science, crucial for a spatially enabled society, including autonomous vehicles and smart cities. • States that every latitude, longitude, and height coordinate in the US will change due to the modernization (by meters). • Explains that the current datums are outdated (over 40 years old) and not sufficient for modern accuracy needs. • Outlines three methods for transitioning existing data to the new NSRS: re-surveying, reprocessing original observations, and transforming coordinates, noting accuracy and cost differences. • Advises organizations to prepare now by inventorying existing geospatial data and metadata, determining migration requirements, and preserving original observations. • Mentions that beta systems for testing are expected soon, with the goal of official approval by the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) next year. • Stresses the need for collaboration with the geospatial community and partners (NSPS, ASPRS, Esri) for a successful transition. For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com #FedGeoDay #Geospatial #NOAA #NGS #NSRS #Geodesy #SpatialReferenceSystem #CoordinateSystems #DataMigration #Mapping #SmartCities #AutonomousVehicles #Collaboration

  • Monday · 6 min

    FedGeoDay 2025 | Lightning Talk - Emma Paz

    Emma Paz from Development Seed discusses the process of data aggregation, focusing specifically on the Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program (CSDAP), where she serves as the technical lead. CSDAP is responsible for acquiring commercial satellite data and making it accessible to researchers. Emma explains that managing the massive volume of geospatial data (over 30 petabytes) from diverse satellite sensors presents a significant challenge, likening it to finding a "needle in a haystack." She emphasizes that effective data discovery relies heavily on rich metadata. Development Seed addresses this by utilizing the STAC (SpatioTemporal Asset Catalog) specification to structure this metadata. They store the metadata in PGStack, a PostgreSQL extension tailored for STAC, and expose it via a STAC-FastAPI, enabling their Satellite Data Explorer (SDX) interface to leverage the power of PostgreSQL for data aggregation, summarization, filtering, and searching. • Discusses data aggregation, focusing on the Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program (CSDAP). • Explains that CSDAP acquires and makes commercial satellite data accessible to researchers. • Highlights the challenge of managing a massive volume of geospatial data (over 30 petabytes) from diverse satellite sensors, requiring effective data discovery. • Emphasizes the crucial role of metadata for enabling data discovery, especially for geospatial data. • Utilizes the STAC (SpatioTemporal Asset Catalog) specification to define the structure of metadata. • Stores STAC metadata in PGStack, a PostgreSQL extension designed for STAC capabilities. • Exposes the metadata via a STAC-FastAPI for interface communication. • Leverages the capabilities of the PostgreSQL database for aggregating and summarizing data, which powers interfaces like the Satellite Data Explorer (SDX). For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com #FedGeoDay #Geospatial #OpenSource #SatelliteData #CSDAP #Metadata #STAC #DevelopmentSeed #DataAggregation #PostgreSQL #CloudStorage #DataDiscovery

  • Monday · 6 min

    FedGeoDay 2025 | Lightning Talk - Adam Timm

    Adam Timm, Field CTO at Crunchy Data, introduces Crunchy Data Warehouse, a new solution designed to merge the capabilities of data lakes and PostgreSQL databases. He highlights the traditional struggles of scaling PostgreSQL for analytical workloads and the challenges of using data lakes for operational tasks. Crunchy Data Warehouse addresses this by allowing users to query data stored directly in cloud storage (like S3) in formats such as Iceberg and Parquet, eliminating the need for complex ETL processes. It features an embedded vectorized query engine for fast analytics and supports mixing transactional and analytical workloads through a single PostgreSQL interface. The product also enables data pipeline processing and logical replication within PostgreSQL to manage Iceberg and Parquet files natively. Crucially, Crunchy Data Warehouse is built on a pure PostgreSQL approach, preserving compatibility with the full ecosystem of PostgreSQL extensions and keeping pace with community innovations, aiming to build resilient systems and integrate large open datasets like OpenStreetMap and Overture Maps efficiently. • Introduces Crunchy Data Warehouse, a new product bringing data lake capabilities into PostgreSQL. • Aims to solve the challenge of scaling PostgreSQL for analytics and warehousing and integrating it with operational workloads. • Allows querying data directly in cloud storage (like S3) in formats such as Iceberg and Parquet, removing the need for complex ETL pipelines. • Uses an embedded vectorized query engine for fast analytical queries on data stored in S3. • Supports mixing transactional and analytical workloads through a single PostgreSQL interface. • Enables data pipeline processing and logical replication within PostgreSQL for native Iceberg/Parquet management. • Takes a pure PostgreSQL approach, preserving compatibility with the full ecosystem of extensions and community innovation. • Enables the integration of large open datasets like OpenStreetMap and Overture Maps. • Aims to support the building of resilient systems and offers potential cost savings (mentioning an internal use case saving $30k/month). For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com #FedGeoDay #Geospatial #OpenSource #Resilience #CrunchyData #PostgreSQL #DataWarehouse #DataLake #Iceberg #Parquet #CloudStorage #Analytics #ETL #Database #GeospatialData

  • Monday · 46 min

    FedGeoDay 2025 | Keynote - Katie Picchione

    Katie Picchione, Response Coordination Lead for the NASA Disasters Response Coordination System (DRCS), delivers a keynote addressing how Earth observation data can be applied to the "what, so what, and now what" framework of disaster response. Drawing on real-world examples and the increasing frequency of billion-dollar disasters, she underscores the urgent need for timely access to overhead imagery and actionable geospatial information for emergency managers and survivors. The NASA Disasters Program, including the newly established DRCS, systematizes the agency's efforts to provide Earth observation data support to response agencies. Katie discusses common misconceptions about satellite data and introduces NASA's diverse Earth Fleet. She presents examples of products developed by NASA, such as power outage maps, flood extent grids, and severe storm signatures, noting the often experimental nature of these outputs. The presentation outlines four main avenues for accessing NASA's extensive, free, and openly available Earth observation data: publicly available apps (like Worldview and FIRMS), the Disasters Program portal, APIs (like Gibbs), and direct data downloads (from Earthdata). She concludes with a call to action for the community to collaborate in building a stronger practice around utilizing open Earth observation data for disaster resilience. • Keynote addressing the application of Earth observation (EO) data in the "what, so what, and now what" framework of disaster response. • Highlights the increasing severity and frequency of disasters and the critical need for timely access to overhead imagery and information. • Explains how remote sensing can amplify various emergency management activities, from evacuation to recovery. • Introduces the NASA Disasters Program and its three elements: science portfolio, Disasters Partnership and Learning Platform (portal), and the DRCS (Response Coordination System). • The DRCS, established in 2024, systematizes NASA's support posture for response agencies (federal, state, local EM, nonprofits). • Discusses common misconceptions about satellite data, including its constant availability, appearance, and coverage. • Shows examples of NASA EO products developed for disasters: power outage maps, flood extent/depth grids, landslide analyses, and severe storm signatures. • Notes that many NASA products are experimental rather than authoritative, complementing data from agencies like NOAA or USGS. • Outlines four primary ways to access NASA EO data: Apps (Worldview, FIRMS), the Disasters Program Portal (providing ArcGIS REST/WMS and download options), APIs (Gibbs), and direct data downloads (Earthdata). • Emphasizes that all NASA EO data is free and openly available. • Mentions the ARSET program as a resource for training on using EO data in disaster response. • Discusses the NASA Disasters Program's operational model, including coordination with FEMA (via mission assignments) and decision-making based on team bandwidth and resource availability. • Briefly touches upon collaboration with international bodies like the International Disasters Charter and the use of the International Space Station (ISS) for imagery. • Mentions recent NASA aerial missions (UAVSAR, AVIRIS-3) supporting disasters, noting these assets are often deployed for science and can be costly or serendipitous to access for response. • Calls for building a stronger community of practice around using open Earth observation data in disaster response. For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com #FedGeoDay #Geospatial #OpenSource #Resilience #NASA #EarthObservation #DisasterResponse #EmergencyManagement #Remote Sensing #SatelliteImagery #OpenData #DRCS #Worldview #FIRMS #Earthdata #SAR #LiDAR #Flooding #Wildfires #Hurricanes #ARSET

  • Monday · 14 min

    FedGeoDay 2025 | Geospatial in Federal Report - Jaymes Cloninger

    Jaymes Cloninger, CEO of Motive Corporation, presents the findings of the first annual Geospatial and Federal Report 2025, based on a survey of federal government GIOs and CIOs. The report captures a snapshot of the current state of geospatial technology within federal agencies. Key insights reveal that the role of geospatial technology has expanded across all responding agencies over the past five years. Major challenges identified include budget constraints and difficulties in establishing dedicated GIS positions within organizational structures. Barriers to modernizing geospatial infrastructure primarily stem from dependencies on legacy systems, along with security/compliance concerns and budget limitations. Data interoperability remains limited, with most data being siloed or only partially integrated. Data sharing is overwhelmingly cited as the area of geospatial governance most in need of improvement, and the majority of agencies surveyed lack a formal data governance framework. AI, cloud technology, and open data initiatives are perceived as having the greatest potential impact in the coming years. While funding is generally deemed only "somewhat adequate," spending priorities are focused on workforce development, data acquisition, and infrastructure modernization. Engagement with external partners is moderate, with private industry and state/local governments being the most valued collaborators. The report also notes that the perceived importance of open source geospatial software varies widely among agencies. The presentation concludes with a lighthearted observation that many geospatial leaders feel they operate like MacGyver, improvising solutions with limited resources. • Presents the first annual Geospatial and Federal Report 2025, based on a survey of federal GIOs and CIOs. • Finds that the role of geospatial technology has expanded in all surveyed federal agencies over the last five years. • Identifies primary challenges as budget limitations and difficulty in getting GIS positions on organizational charts. • Highlights key barriers to modernizing geospatial infrastructure: legacy system dependencies, security/compliance, and budget. • States that geospatial data interoperability is mostly siloed or partially integrated; no agency reported full integration. • Finds that data sharing is the area of geospatial governance most in need of improvement. • Reports that most surveyed agencies lack a formal geospatial data governance framework. • Identifies AI, cloud, and open data initiatives as the trends expected to have the most impact in the next 3-5 years. • Indicates federal funding for geospatial programs is perceived as only "somewhat adequate" by the majority. • Lists spending priorities: workforce development (highest), data acquisition, and infrastructure/modernization. • Notes that engagement with external partners is moderate, with private industry and state and local government being the most valued. • Reveals that the importance of open source geospatial software varies across agencies. • Suggests that geospatial leaders often feel they are akin to MacGyver, working with limited resources. For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com #FedGeoDay #Geospatial #FederalGovernment #GeospatialStrategy #GIS #OpenData #AI #CloudComputing #DataSharing #LegacySystems #WorkforceDevelopment #MotiveCorporation #GeospatialReport

  • Monday · 48 min

    FedGeoDay 2025 | Fireside Chat - Achieving Resilience in the Cyber War

    This fireside chat explores achieving resilience in the "Cyber War," particularly concerning cyber security in open source systems. Moderated by Ashley Fairman, the discussion with Damian Taylor (USPS) and Jennifer (Supply Chain Risk Management expert) defines resilience as the ability to recover quickly or preempt disruptions. They advocate for a "defense-in-depth" approach with multiple layers of security, acknowledging that disruption is inevitable. The evolution of cyber threats, from simple viruses to sophisticated, state-sponsored attacks often leveraging AI, is discussed, highlighting how interconnected systems increase the impact and cost of incidents, such as the SolarWinds supply chain attack. The panelists emphasize that humans are often the weakest link and stress the need for continuous monitoring, detection, and response. Key tips for enhancing resilience include sourcing from reputable vendors, conducting third-party assessments, understanding how systems are used, and leveraging security frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK. Strategic investments in people (training and knowledge sharing) and prioritized technology (like active disaster recovery systems) are identified as crucial. They underline the importance of collaboration across government, academia, and industry, noting challenges like overclassification hindering vulnerability sharing. • Discusses cybersecurity resilience in the context of open source systems. • Defines resilience as the ability to get back up quickly when knocked down or preempt disruption. • Advocates for a defense-in-depth strategy, using multiple layers of security measures. • Describes the evolution of cyber threats from simple viruses to sophisticated, agenda-driven, state-sponsored attacks, increasingly leveraging AI. • Highlights the significant impact and increasing cost of cyber incidents, citing the SolarWinds supply chain attack as an example. • Identifies humans as often the weakest link and stresses the need to think as part of a larger, interconnected ecosystem. • Provides tips for enhancing resilience: sourcing from reputable vendors, conducting third-party assessments, understanding how systems are used, and implementing continuous monitoring, detection, and response. • Stresses building a true secure environment that goes beyond mere compliance checklists. • Recommends strategic investments in people (training, knowledge sharing) and prioritized technology (active disaster recovery systems, security frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK). • Underlines the critical importance of collaboration across government, academia, and industry, suggesting efforts to lower barriers to entry, particularly for state and local entities. • Discusses challenges in validating the security of hardware and software from potentially untrusted sources and the difficulty of assessing models. • Mentions the need for better vulnerability sharing and moving past overclassification in government. • Highlights the value of "red teaming" (simulated attacks) for testing defenses and training staff. For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com #FedGeoDay #Cybersecurity #Resilience #OpenSource #SupplyChainRisk #CyberWar #DefenseInDepth #MITREATTCK #CyberThreats #RiskManagement #Collaboration #USPS #DICECyber

  • Monday · 15 min

    FedGeoDay 2025 | Demonstrations: Open Source Geospatial Applications for Resilience - Xan Frederick

    Xan Frederick's, the Emergency Response Coordinator for the USGS National Geospatial Program, discusses how open geospatial resources contribute to disaster prediction, preparation, and response, emphasizing the human element and building proficiency with data tools. She highlights The National Map as a core resource, aggregating data from USGS and partner agencies like federal, state, local, industry, and academia. Xan explains how users can access this data via services or through the Geospatial Information Response Team (GIRT) hub. The presentation includes a demonstration differentiating US Topo and OnDemand topos and showcasing the Toppo Builder application, noting the free print delivery service for emergency responders. She defines key concepts in resilience like modeling (forecast/hindcast) and risk mitigation, adding "morale" as a critical third element. A significant portion focuses on the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP), demonstrating a viewer for visualizing vast amounts of free online LiDAR data and stressing the need for interoperable, OGC-compliant, cloud-optimized data sets that are easy to use during disasters. She concludes by emphasizing the necessity of collaboration across sectors and leveraging resources like the USGS National Geospatial Program user engagement office. • Discusses the importance of open geospatial resources for disaster prediction, preparation, and response. • Emphasizes the human element in resilience and the need to build proficiency or a "data muscle" using tools. • Introduces The National Map as a cornerstone for aggregating USGS and partner data from various sources (federal, state, local, industry, academia, nonprofits). • Highlights how to access National Map resources via services (feature and map services) and the Geospatial Information Response Team (GIRT) hub. • Explains the role of GIRT in providing open geospatial data to USGS scientists and emergency responders. • Compares US Topo (pre-published) and OnDemand topos (customizable, multiple scales, best available data), demonstrating the Toppo Builder application. • Mentions the availability of free printed US Topos or OnDemand topos for emergency responders via the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). • Defines modeling (forecast/hindcast) and risk mitigation as key elements in resilience, adding "morale" as a crucial third. • Introduces the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) and demonstrates a viewer for visualizing LiDAR point clouds. • Highlights the vast amount of free, online LiDAR data available (over 70 trillion points). • Stresses the critical need for interoperable, OGC-compliant, cloud-optimized geospatial data sets that are easy to use during a disaster. • Mentions the USGS National Geospatial Program user engagement office as a resource for learning about available tools and data. • Emphasizes that collaboration across federal agencies, industry, academia, and other partners is essential for success. For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com #FedGeoDay #Geospatial #OpenSource #Resilience #USGS #NationalMap #DisasterResponse #EmergencyManagement #LiDAR #3DEP #TopoMaps #GIRT #OpenData #Interoperability #Collaboration

  • Monday · 4 min

    FedGeoDay 2025 | Demonstrations: Open Source Geospatial Applications for Resilience - Questions

    This video segment covers the question and answer portion of the "Open Source Geospatial Applications for Resilience" demonstration session at FedGeoDay 2025. A key question is posed to Karen Townsend of Sea Island Software regarding the effort required to integrate the various data sources used in the Hurrvac application. Karen explains that it's a significant, long-term development effort involving a small team with deep knowledge of diverse data formats, including traditional text-based weather service products and modern raster data sets for probabilistic forecasting. She highlights the continuous work needed to keep pace with new data products and formats from sources like the National Hurricane Center and NOAA, noting that not all data is currently available in modern, easily integrated formats like STAC. The session concludes due to time constraints, with the moderator thanking the presenters. • Features the audience Q&A session for the panel on Open Source Geospatial Applications for Resilience. • A question is directed to Karen Townsend about the effort of integrating diverse data sources for Hurrvac. • Karen explains it's a long-term development effort involving a six-person team and years of knowledge of different data sources. • Mentions challenges with traditional text-based data formats (like weather service marine products) and integrating new raster-based probabilistic forecasting data. • Highlights the continuous need to keep pace with new data formats and products from the National Hurricane Center and NOAA. • Notes that not all data sources are currently available in modern formats like STAC. • The moderator thanks the presenters and concludes the session due to time limitations. For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com #FedGeoDay #Geospatial #OpenSource #Resilience #EmergencyManagement #DataIntegration #Hurrvac #NOAA #DataManagement #QandA #GeospatialData

  • Monday · 11 min

    FedGeoDay 2025 | Demonstrations: Open Source Geospatial Applications for Resilience - Karen Townsend

    Karen Townsend, President of Sea Island Software, presents Hurrvac, a web-browser based application widely used by US government emergency managers in hurricane-prone areas. She explains that Hurrvac, which has been tracking hurricanes for over 30 years, aggregates critical data including National Hurricane Center forecasts, independent storm surge modeling for coastal communities, and evacuation studies from the US Army Corps of Engineers. The presentation focuses on the 2024 hurricane season, using Hurricanes Helen and Milton as examples to demonstrate Hurrvac's capabilities, such as tracking multiple storms, providing real-time notifications, visualizing potential storm surge zones, and using a "timing arc" technique to help emergency managers decide when to call for evacuations. Hurrvac also offers post-storm assessment tools, including wind impact depictions and storm surge hindcasts, and is provided free to federal, state, and local employees thanks to sponsorship from FEMA, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and NOAA. • Presents Hurrvac, a widely adopted web browser-based tool for hurricane decision support. • Hurrvac supports US government emergency managers in coastal communities from Texas to Maine and globally. • Combines data from National Hurricane Center (forecasts), US Army Corps of Engineers (evacuation studies), and independent storm surge modeling. • Has tracked 268 Atlantic hurricanes over more than 30 years, starting with Hurricane Hugo in 1988. • Shows capabilities using examples from the 2024 hurricane season, highlighting Hurricanes Helen and Milton. • Provides real-time notifications from the National Hurricane Center on storm updates and developments. • Helps emergency managers evaluate potential storm surge threats and identify coastal zones for evacuation. • Introduces the "timing arc" as a visual technique to determine how much time remains before an evacuation needs to begin. • Includes post-storm assessment tools like wind impact areas and storm surge hindcasts from the National Hurricane Center. • Hurrvac is a free program for federal, state, and local employees, sponsored by FEMA, US Army Corps of Engineers, and NOAA. • Mentions having over 30,000 registered users and the ability to handle thousands concurrently thanks to AWS cloud scaling. For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com #FedGeoDay #Geospatial #OpenSource #Resilience #EmergencyManagement #Hurricanes #Hurrvac #NOAA #FEMA #USACE #StormSurge #Evacuation #TropicalCyclones #DecisionSupport

  • Monday · 5 min

    FedGeoDay 2025 | Demonstrations: Open Source Geospatial Applications for Resilience - Introductions

    This video features the opening remarks and speaker introductions for a session at FedGeoDay 2025 focused on Open Source Geospatial Applications for Resilience. The speaker sets the stage by acknowledging the challenges in the world but emphasizes the power of the community and the open source ethos in adapting and supporting climate resilience efforts. Key themes for the presentations that follow are outlined, including cross-functional and cross-jurisdictional collaboration, the democratization of data and analysis, and the speed and timeliness of delivery. The speakers presenting in this session are introduced with brief backgrounds highlighting their expertise: Karen Townsen, Daniel Defor, Henry Rodman, and Xan Frederick's. • Opening remarks for the FedGeoDay 2025 session on Open Source Geospatial Applications for Resilience. • Highlights the importance of the community and the open source ethos in supporting climate resilience. • Identifies cross-functional/cross-jurisdictional support and collaboration, democratization of data and analysis, and speed/timeliness of delivery as common themes for the day. • Introduces the presenters for the session: Karen Townsen (Sea Island Software), Daniel Defor (City of Chattanooga), Henry Rodman (Development Seed), and Xan Frederick's (USGS National Geospatial Program). • Encourages viewing the Project Geospatial website for recordings and proceedings of FedGeoDay and other events. For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com #FedGeoDay #Geospatial #OpenSource #Resilience #ClimateResilience #Community #Democratization #Collaboration #EmergencyManagement #ProjectGeospatial

  • Monday · 10 min

    FedGeoDay 2025 | Demonstrations: Open Source Geospatial Applications for Resilience - Henry Rodman

    Henry Rodman from Development Seed introduces EO API, a cloud-native geospatial technology stack aimed at making geospatial data more accessible and quickly available. He highlights the challenges of getting started with cloud-native geospatial solutions and presents EO API as an easy on-ramp built on sensible defaults and the STAC (SpatioTemporal Asset Catalog) standard. The presentation details the four main components of EO API—PGStack, stack-fastapi-pgstack, tiler-pgstack, and tpg—explaining how they work together to enable data cataloging, access, visualization, and vector data serving, all while providing OGC-compliant services. Examples of tools and platforms like STAC Browser, NASA's VETA, and the Planetary Computer are shown to illustrate the benefits of having data cataloged in STAC. • Introduces EO API, a cloud-native geospatial tech stack from Development Seed, designed for easy adoption. • Explains the goal: make more data accessible to more people more quickly using cloud-native technology. • Highlights STAC (SpatioTemporal Asset Catalog) as the de facto standard for cataloging geospatial assets and its importance for accessing tools. • Describes EO API as a set of sensible defaults for organizations wanting to get started with cloud-native geospatial. • Details the four main components: PGStack (Postgres extension for STAC), stack-fastapi-pgstack (STAC API server), tiler-pgstack (visualization/tile server), and TPG (vector server with OGC API Features/Tiles). • Emphasizes that once data is cataloged in STAC, it enables compatibility with a wide range of tools and OGC-compliant services. • Shows examples of platforms utilizing STAC APIs, such as STAC Browser, NASA's VETA, and the Planetary Computer. • Mentions that EO API is open and available for anyone to download and run, with deployable repositories and Docker Compose available. For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com #FedGeoDay #Geospatial #OpenSource #CloudNative #EOAPI #STAC #DevelopmentSeed #Resilience #GeospatialData #Postgres #OGC

  • Monday · 12 min

    FedGeoDay 2025 | Demonstrations: Open Source Geospatial Applications for Resilience - Daniel Dufour

    Daniel Dufour from the city of Chattanooga discusses the rapid development of a near real-time map displaying reported flooding and road closures during Hurricane Helen. The project focused on gathering data from human reports via public works, 311, and 911 calls, rather than relying on predictive flood modeling. He highlights the critical balance between human effort and technology, utilizing a mix of open source tools like GitHub Actions, GDAL, and OpenStreetMap, alongside proprietary systems. Dufour shares valuable lessons learned regarding rapid deployment, organizational culture, risk assessment, the importance of building internal capabilities, and how open data and open source can accelerate project delivery, emphasizing that proprietary and open source technologies can effectively coexist. • Built a near real-time map of reported flooding and road closures for Hurricane Helen in Chattanooga. • Focused on mapping reported data from public works, 311, and 911 calls, rather than predicted flooding. • Stresses the equal importance of humans and technology; people reporting data were essential. • Used technologies including GitHub Actions, GDAL, OpenStreetMap, MapLibre, SafeMe Workbench, and proprietary systems like Tyler Tech and Google Maps automation. • Discusses lessons learned such as preparation, culture, risk-taking, speeding up the decision-to-delivery timeline, and adopting a capability perspective for long-term growth. • Highlights that open data and open source can lead to faster project delivery. • Emphasizes that proprietary and open source can work together and it's not an all-or-nothing choice. • Notes that humans cannot be replaced for certain tasks like taking citizen calls, contrasting with AI limitations. For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com #Geospatial #OpenSource #FloodMapping #DisasterResponse #Resilience #Chattanooga #HurricaneHelen #GitHubActions #GDAL #OpenStreetMap #MapLibre #SafeMe #GIS #PublicWorks #CitizenReporting #OpenData #Technology #GovTech #FedGeoDay

  • Monday · 27 min

    2025 FOSS4G NA | When LLMs Meet GIS - Jason Gilman

    In this session from FOSS4G NA 2025, Jason Gilman of Element 84 presents When LLMs Meet GIS: Building Reliable Geospatial AI Systems. Jason explores the practical integration of Large Language Models into geospatial workflows, moving beyond the hype to focus on building software that is reliable, cost-effective, and meet real-world user needs. The presentation introduces two open-source libraries: E84-GDAL-AI-Common, which provides core utilities for LLM interaction and structured data extraction, and Natural Language Geometry (NLG), a library that translates human-readable spatial descriptions—like "within 10 miles of the coast"—into precise GIS polygons. Jason also discusses the trade-offs between autonomous "agents" and deterministic "workflows," the importance of tracing and evaluation suites, and how Element 84 built their own geocoding database to overcome the relevancy and polygon-retrieval limitations of traditional tools. Highlights: 🛰️ The Reliability Gap: Why rushing to add AI to geospatial tools can compromise software quality, security, and energy efficiency 🔄 Natural Language Geometry (NLG): How to convert vague spatial phrases into a structured tree of operations and final GIS polygons 🧩 Beyond Point Geocoding: The shift from center-point results to full polygon retrieval for complex areas like the Gulf of Mexico ⚙️ Why Build a New AI Library? Moving away from the complexity of LangChain toward the strong typing and simplicity of E84-GDAL-AI-Common 🌐 Agents vs. Workflows: When to use autonomous AI agents for unpredictable human queries and when to use prescriptive pipelines for efficiency 🏢 Evaluations & Tracing: Using graph edit distance and tools like LangFuse to measure LLM performance and identify token bottlenecks 🏗️ Custom Geocoding Databases: Leveraging Who’s On First and Natural Earth data to provide context-aware results for ambiguous place names For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com #Geospatial #FOSS4G #LLM #AI #GIS #NaturalLanguageProcessing #Geocoding #OpenSource #SoftwareEngineering #DataScience #Element84 #MachineLearning #ProjectGeospatial #LangChain #Pydantic

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