Kelsi Schwind joined us on the GEOTalks Podcast to explore how GIS technology can enable progress in conservation. We discussed the budding efforts to preserve the Texas Hill Country’s Bigtooth maple population, which is imperiled in this region. In our discussion, Kelsi highlighted how her automated method for extracting canyons has enabled her team to perform thorough research on Bigtooth maple communities and establish an automation to research this species for years.

YouTube: https://ow.ly/J68B50SCpHJ Spotify: https://ow.ly/4ZW550SCpHF Apple: https://ow.ly/nkj750SCpHB

Tune in to hear about the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Landscape Ecology Program’s comprehensive approach to conservation using GIS technology.

Topics [00:00] – Introduction [02:03] – Kelsi Schwind’s work in Texas [02:54] – Landscape Ecology Program [03:40] – Kelsi’s role in the program [05:03] – Bigtooth Maple tree conservation [06:13] – Using GIS for conservation [06:57] – Data used in this project [07:39] – Creating the method to extract canyons [09:44] – Updating the landcover classification [10:23] – Manual and automated sections of the project [11:06] – Next steps in the project [12:55] – Challenges during the project [15:35] – Ecological Mapping Systems (EMS) of Texas [17:01] – Forest classes and forest classification in Texas [17:58] – Applications of TX landcover classifications [19:34] – Conservation planning and timeframe [21:16] – Vision of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department [21:58] – Get involved! [23:19] – Wrap-up

Resources Connect with Kelsi Schwind via email: kelsi.schwind@tpwd.texas.gov Connect with Kelsi Schwind on LinkedIn: https://ow.ly/2p1K50RhA2h Texas Parks and Wildlife Department – Home: https://tpwd.texas.gov/ Landscape Ecology Program – Home: https://ow.ly/QqSS50RhA8K Ecological Mapping Systems: https://ow.ly/xaN550RhA9t Web Tile Map Service: https://ow.ly/Ixw250RjPzp Texas Geographic Information Office: https://tnris.org/

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GeoTalks is a Blue Marble Geographics® podcast. Blue Marble Geographics is a leader in GIS software development, providing professional-grade tools to users at every level. Blue Marble’s expertise spans the geospatial technology sector, focusing on coordinate conversion and management, lidar and photogrammetric point cloud processing, and user-driven product development.

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