NACIS 2016 Presentation
Tim Sinnott, GreenInfo Network
Maegan Leslie-Torres, GreenInfo Network
For 20 years, GreenInfo Network has provided map-based communications solutions to a long list of nonprofit organizations working on a wide range of environmental and social issues. From printed maps to custom web applications, we work to help organizations transform geographic data into clear, compelling messages using various mediums, on various timelines, sticking to various budgets. Join GreenInfo staff to discuss how a well-designed map can boost the effectiveness of an organization's mission, message, or campaign. We'll share how we work in partnership with our clients to develop cartographic communication tools that deliver the right message to the right audience at the right time with efficiency and elegance, and we'll give you a behind-the-scenes tour of our mapping/development process. We'll also talk about some of our most successful client partnerships and discuss the positive changes our work has helped bring about.
2. ● Largest dedicated nonprofit GIS support
group in U.S.
● 20 years, 800+ organizations
● 12 staff, 20-30 projects at a time
● Wide range of geospatial capacities
● Main office in Oakland
GreenInfo Network
We create, analyze, visualize
and communicate information
in the public interest.
13. The City Project
cityprojectca.org
...to achieve equal justice, democracy, and livability for all.
More diverse districts
received less money
overall and less money
per person.
14. The City Project
cityprojectca.org
...to achieve equal justice, democracy, and livability for all.
Higher population
non-white areas are
subject to greater
amounts of pollutants
15. California’s Marine Protected Areas
● Regional approach to protecting California’s state waters implemented from
2007 - 2012 under the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA). Our clients were
Ocean Conservancy and NRDC and our work started in each region by creating
planning maps with natural resource layers and comparing different proposals.
17. California’s Marine Protected Areas
Before (sq mi) % of State Waters After (sq mi) % of State Waters
North Coast 3.14 0.31 137.41 13.38
North Central Coast 27 3.54 152.41 19.98
Central Coast 43 3.76 206.79 18.08
South Coast 184 7.83 355.42 15.12
Total 257.14 4.87 852.03 16.12
● Prior to the MLPA, 4.87% of state waters were protected by MPAs.
● After the MLPA, 16.12% of state waters are now protected by MPAs
18. California’s Marine Protected Areas
● Implementing the MLPA was a huge effort that took many years, many
meetings, and extensive input from the public, fishermen, state agencies, and
conservation groups to design the best MPAs for the state.
19. California’s Marine Protected Areas
● The South Coast region process was met with great opposition from
recreational (shore, kayak, spearfishing) and commercial fishermen fearful that
MPAs would close the best and most cherished fishing spots.
● Fishing forums such as Bloody Decks have been vocal about their
disagreements and fears when it came to establishing new MPAs:
“But you can bet when these MLPA's are in effect and are expanded we will be lucky
if we have one square mile of ocean to fish in within 10 years.
Aren't the ones that support MLPA's glad they are saving and improving fish stocks
for the generations of 3012.....”
“It starts out with good intentions (I know very arguable)
but will end up being expanded to the point where my great
grandkids learn about the ocean by looking at it from the
shore and going to an aquarium.”
20. California’s Marine Protected Areas
So: How could we go about helping fishermen and the public understand the
plans for increased protection and let them know, through data, that many of the
best fishing spots along the South Coast would remain open.
A quick search helped us find two sites created by fishermen, for fishermen, that
located South Coast fishing spots by name and latitude/longitude.
25. California’s Marine Protected Areas
Results: “Congrats! Since your work has been trashed on BloodyDecks, you’re now
a full member of the team.”
“Yep; in Monterey, they were there stating that ‘All the most used spots are being
left open to fishing.’ Funny, I guess nobody fishes Laguna, Pt. Dume, Swamis, S. La
Jolla, central PV.”
“I guess all the ‘socioeconomic’ information that Ecotrust got from the fishermen
(which was supposed to be kept confidential) was used against us in the end.
Actually, it's quite obvious how all these fishing spots were identified and placed on
a map.
Yeah, when you go to the MLPA meetings, be sure to bring a jar of vasoline or a tube
of K-Y jelly with you. You'll need it so it won't hurt so bad when you're getting the
business from our government officials.
Actual Results: The commission listened to all sides and increased MPA coverage
from 7.83% protected state waters up to 15.12% protected AND kept most of the
South Coast’s best fishing locations open to recreational and commercial fishing
26. California Community Health Assessment Tool
● The California Community Health Assessment Tool (CCHAT) was developed
by the Stanford Prevention Research Center and GreenInfo Network, with
funding from the Tobacco Related Disease Research Program.
● We are building an application that quickly provides data summaries and
visualizations of the proximity of tobacco retailers to schools throughout CA
● Search for locations by county, city, zip, school, or address / coordinates to
receive area statistics, tobacco retailer data, and an interactive map
32. Comparing GreenInfo school boundaries with CA Dept of Ed. reported locations
● On and off over three years, GreenInfo mapped over 10,000 school boundaries and
centroids