Summer is waning and the smell of school supplies looms in the air. I do love a fresh pencil! For me, it’s a signal for fresh ideas and problem solving. I’m reminded of how many ways the geospatial community is using their mapping technology and talents for good.
Geospatial work can have various impacts depending on its application. If “good” is defined as providing benefit to individuals or entities, there are multiple relevant examples. For this discussion, the focus will be on people, places, and initiatives. In April we explored some animal and tree tracking that also were doing good for the world. How many organizations are working for the good?
National Geographic Explorer, Nick Okafor and his organization, Trubel & Co, have invested in training young people, ages 18-25, to map and explore social and environmental justice. Their 2024 class explored issues in Florida such as mental health and heat stress, red tide, incarceration, and climate gentrification. These students are learning to explore data and tell analytical stories to “spark good trouble.”
The Food Empowerment Project believes that your food choices can change the world. According to their website, “Food Empowerment Project seeks to create a more just and sustainable world by recognizing the power of one’s food choices.” Their work extends beyond food into other community needs like school supplies for students and scholarships. The USDA Food Access Research Atlas allow you to preview and download data on access and income.
Image created in Canva by the Geospatial Crusader.Getting beyond expected uses of data and maps is important also. The Nature Conservancy and the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy are continuing their good work to protect nature and land. The World Vision Organization is mapping and championing the use of imagery to examine clean water. One of their projects focuses on water, sanitation, and hygiene initiatives. Their interesting use of high-resolution imagery to highlight and solve some of these challenges utilizes other open data sources as well.
If you want to branch beyond just mappy endeavors, AI for Good at Meta, “is helping organizations leverage open source AI models and datasets that help governments improve service delivery, researchers advance scientific innovation, and humanitarian organizations better reach populations in need.” They’re work is part of an ongoing zeal to create a robust community for open-source tools.
Even though the tools may be open, there’s still a need for data care. Data for Good has created a platform infrastructure designed to connect citizens, companies, and public organizations in a digital ecosystem. This system allows data sharing under individual citizen control, supporting the development of new digital services and generating insights.
Humanitarian initiatives globally and across various sectors are making a significant impact. Esri’s Humanitarian Hub has identified several key areas of focus for these efforts. Localisation means working with local organizations and communities to create solutions. Utilizing geodesign to not only prevent hazards, but also anticipate risk is vital to create more sustainable environments. They encourage us to pair those efforts with innovation and the power of geospatial thinking.
Finally, what can you do if you don’t work in one of these areas of the geospatial community? You can volunteer with the GIS Corps! In a recent project with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, “FBCENC sought the assistance of a GISCorps Volunteer with experience in developing aesthetically pleasing and informative ArcGIS Dashboards from Survey123. This project will be in support of the Pop Up Markets program – mobile food distributions led by Food Bank staff to address gaps in food access across the Food Bank’s service area.” Think about it. You might not need to leave your office to do something good!
If you need me, I’ll be volunteering with my local organization to help students. We can make a difference, one person at a time!
Barbaree Duke
Geospatial Crusader
Copyright © 2025 All Rights Reserved - 
Leave a Reply