My first GISCorps mission was to develop a mobile app for Grand Staircase-Escalante Partners and Puente Institutes to record observations and disturbances within the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The goal was to increase public awareness and help formulate better management policies and restoration efforts at the national monument. I have learned a lot from the project and am looking forward to more volunteer opportunities in the future.
Paul Paddock
Volunteering has been so fulfilling—helping fellow mappers across the world use the power of GIS to bring rescue, care, and repair efforts to areas in need SOONER after disaster strikes and making the seemingly unreachable reachable again for affected communities. Serving in these capacities speaks to my core, and I’m glad to be part of these missions, especially when they concern communities I have known for years, as was the case during the Hurricane Helene mission. Some of the hardest-hit areas in that storm were my homes away from home. Although I couldn’t be physically there to contribute, I was still glad to aid in the recovery efforts as “eyes from the sky” with the PhotoMappers. Everyone involved in these missions is always so engaging, and I’m very glad for the connections I’ve made in the process. Till the next mission!
