Mission

The Geo Transparency Project’s mission is to collaborate with socioeconomically disadvantaged communities, and their partners, by providing geospatial technical expertise to engage and leverage environmental and climate data.

Vision

Our vision is to create a future where all communities, especially those facing climate and environmental injustice, have the knowledge, resources, and technical expertise to effectively address environmental and climate issues. We envision a world where geospatial and environmental data is accessible, understandable, and actionable for everyone.

Through collaborative initiatives with socioeconomically disadvantaged communities and their partners, we strive to bridge the gap between communities and decision-makers. By providing geospatial technical expertise, we empower communities to leverage environmental data and engage with local economic and government leaders.

We recognize that GIS and environmental data can be complex and challenging to navigate. That’s why we are committed to breaking down these barriers by offering support from technical and subject matter experts. We aim to demystify the intricacies of geospatial data and make it accessible to all.

We understand the importance of elevating community organizations and members as credible advocates. We seek to address the perception of knowledge gaps or technical deficiencies by equipping communities with the tools and expertise necessary to be taken seriously in their advocacy efforts.

While there are many organizations dedicated to environmental and climate issues, we strive to be a unique force by combining our expertise in geospatial analysis with engagement and policy knowledge. By collaborating with local and national organizations, we aim to enhance their capabilities in analyzing, utilizing, and leveraging geospatial and environmental data.

Together, we can create a future where environmental equity is realized, where communities have a voice, and where data-driven decisions lead to positive change for all.

Aspirations

Our future plans encompass several key initiatives aimed at empowering communities and fostering environmental equity. Firstly, we aim to establish a scalable and replicable national model that enables communities to effectively leverage geospatial and environmental data. This model will serve as a blueprint for any community seeking to promote environmental equity.

To ensure long-term sustainability, we will develop a “train the trainer” program, empowering community members to become subject matter experts who can manage data and provide essential maintenance to web applications. This approach fosters self-sufficiency and enables communities to take ownership of their data.

We are committed to creating economic empowerment opportunities through a recidivism reduction campaign. By training recently institutionalized individuals with technical skills to maintain community geospatial and environmental data projects, we aim to provide them with a pathway to gainful employment within their communities. Through a fellowship model, participants will receive a living wage stipend, facilitating their transition to long-term, full-time employment.

Additionally, we plan to launch a citizen science and training program aimed at the next generation. This initiative will mentor high school and post-secondary education students in climate and environmental issues, data analysis, and technical solutions. By equipping them with geospatial, data science, and technology skills, we will empower students to collaborate with community members, collecting and analyzing data. This program will enable students to design and implement effective citizen science strategies, utilizing environmental sensors to monitor pollution, natural hazards, infrastructure, and climate change. Through these comprehensive future plans, we are dedicated to empowering communities, fostering environmental stewardship, and building a more equitable and sustainable future.