Implementation and Evaluation of a Geospatial Management Solution for the U.S. National Park Service's Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program

Abstract

Many U.S. federal land management agencies experience difficulties modernizing the management of their geospatial data. These data are frequently administered using desktop-based geographic information systems (GIS) that require specialized skillsets to operate, potentially rendering insights derived from their usage inaccessible to large swaths of land managers. The increasing scale and complexity of geospatial data necessitates modern management tools. While many land managers regularly seek out novel strategies, there is limited discussion in the literature of applying contemporary web-based GIS techniques to land management problems. This research note presents a standardized geospatial approach in the form of a web GIS tool called a Geospatial Management Solution (GMS). Key components of a GMS are described, alongside its implementation within the U.S. National Park Service's Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program based on their identified needs. Our results include recommendations for land managers considering implementing a GMS, and suggestions for future research. Subscribe to JPRA