Conservation GIS Lab
Applying GIS, remote sensing, and data science to advance conservation outcomes
About the Lab
The IIC Conservation GIS Lab provides an opportunity for W&M students to apply their GIS, remote sensing, and data science skills to advance real conservation solutions.
In the Lab, students are matched with an external partner to complete an applied project over a semester with support from W&M faculty mentors. Students in the Lab participate in a weekly lab meeting and meet regularly with their conservation partners.
Students receive 2 credits of independent research (CONS 493) for a semester of work.
Student Requirements
To participate in the Conservation GIS Lab, students must meet the following criteria:
- have completed CONS 210, GIS 201, BIOL 445 or equivalent prior to to term they will apply
- be available to attend a weekly lab meeting (Monday 1-2 pm ET or Friday 3-4 pm ET depending on the project you are selected for)
- be an organized self-starter able to manage project timelines and meet deadlines
- be ready to participate in and lead meetings with external partners
- be a problem solver who enjoys developing solutions to challenges
- be able to summarize methods and present research findings at the end of the semester
How to Apply
Sign up for the IIC mailing list to apply for the next Conservation GIS Lab in Fall 2025. We will be seeking students for the Fall 2025 GIS Lab in late Spring 2025.
For questions, please email Erica Garroutte: elgarroutte@wm.edu
Spring 2025 GIS Lab Projects
Developing Interactive Interpretation for Virginia State Parks that Engages Audiences in Meaningful ConservationPartner: Virginia State Parks Virginia State Parks (VSP) is dedicated to providing visitors with engaging, interactive, and accurate interpretation. In Fall 2024, a team of students from William & Mary collaborated with VSP to identify key goals for visitor engagement, experience, and conservation. Their project focused on creating a phone-based, self-guided tour at First Landing State Park as a case study. Using Experience Builder, they designed an interactive tour of the Bald Cypress Trail, offering visitors insights into the park's ecosystems, species, and sociocultural significance. The app allows users to explore educational content at their own pace, enhancing VSP’s ability to offer expanded interpretive experiences. In 2025, students will refine and test the tours with park visitors and develop additional self-guided tours for First Landing State Park. |
Identifying Successes and Gaps in Meeting the 30x30 Goal for North AmericaPartner: IUCN North America To meet the national 30x30 conservation goals, it’s crucial to identify which lands and waters are most vital for protection, restoration, and connectivity. In collaboration with mentors from IUCN North America, William & Mary students are compiling data on biodiversity, natural resources, socioeconomic factors, and environmental justice. This data will be used to explore strategies for achieving the 30x30 goals and assess both successes and gaps in the collective efforts to meet these conservation targets in the U.S. |
Quantifying Spatially Explicit Species-Habitat Relationships of Sandhill Cranes in the Platte River ValleyPartner: US Fish and Wildlife Service Estimating wildlife population sizes and understanding habitat use are essential for informed management and policy decisions. Leveraging deep learning techniques and remote sensing, students at William & Mary (W&M) are utilizing AI-driven population estimates to explore the relationship between sandhill cranes and their habitats in Nebraska's Platte River Valley. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) conducts annual low-level aerial surveys of sandhill cranes during the daytime, when they are foraging. From 2021 to 2024, W&M students have collaborated with USFWS to develop a fully operational deep learning workflow and model that provides geospatial data on the abundance and distribution of roosting sandhill cranes at this critical migratory stopover site. Using these population data, W&M students are collecting environmental geospatial data, guided by the expertise of biologists and managers. This information is being used to create statistical models that quantify the species-habitat relationships of sandhill cranes. These models, along with the collected data, will help improve understanding of the species' ecology, habitat preferences, and inform better management practices for their conservation. |
Creating a GIS Database to Explore the Ecological and Socio-cultural Patterns of Vegetation to Support Collaborative Restoration Efforts in the Lime Coast of AustraliaPartner: Rural Australia Working alongside Rural Australia, partners, and First Nations Peoples from the Limestone Coast of Australia, students are taking a GIS approach to support their collaborative landscape conservation project aimed at restoring ecosystem processes and function as well as cultural and socioeconomic linkages to the ecosystems. Under the direction of Rural Australia and their partners, the students would identify and compile a database of GIS layers that can be used to explore the various dimensions of this important landscape and to inform collaborative restoration efforts. The layers included in the database will center on vegetation species and dynamics and the factors that may influence these patterns at the landscape scale. |
Integrating Key Biodiversity Area Tools into QGISPartner: KBA Team Key Biodiversity Areas are geographic regions that have been identified as important sites for protecting biodiversity. Working alongside the KBA team, W&M students are integrating tools needed to identify and evaluate the impacts of KBAs into QGIS. |
Creating Interpretive Maps for Educating Audiences about Ripley Conservancy Bird Conservation EffortsPartner: Ripley Conservancy W&M students are working alongside Ripley Bird Conservancy to create engaging, interpretive maps that engage audiences in bird and water conservation. The students are creating maps of the wetland areas, migratory bird routes, and other important aspects of the ecosystem that can be used to engage and educate audiences about the importance of conservation. These maps will be included in education signage or interpretive materials that utilize GIS to engage audiences in conservation. |
Community Science Mapping to Explore Environmental Justice Aspects of Wetland ConservationPartners: Wetlands Watch and Dr. Fernando Galeana Rodriguez Wetlands Watch is a nonprofit organization that aims to "enhance natural resilience, bolster community adaptation efforts, and protect and restore wetlands throughout Virginia. They advance climate adaptation by working collaboratively with a wide variety of stakeholders, and by implementing solution-focused strategies that unify and connect." W&M students are working with Wetlands Watch to map their community science data collection efforts and will compile GIS data layers to help explore the ways in which their community science efforts can support wetland restoration, climate resilience and environmental justice in Virginia. Through the course of the semester, the student are exploring how GIS mapping tools can be used to map data collected by community volunteers and can be used to help inform their efforts. |
StoryMap Documenting American Trails Efforts to Create Open Source Cohesive Trail Maps for the USAPartner: American Trails As we witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic, trails play an important role in human well-being, human health, and community, and in nurturing the connection between people and their environments. But as trail usage and variety of use increases across the US, there is a need for a framework to support trail users effectively managing these important trail resources to ensure their sustained benefit for all people and to minimize the negative impacts of trail usage on the environments the users are using the trails to access and enjoy. American Trails is a non-profit organization that connects and transforms communities through the power of trails, and they aim to support trail user communities with tools and resources to support sustainable and inclusive stewardship of trails across the US. Unfortunately, American Trails is limited by the lack of a standard, national-level map of all trails in the US, which is a result of the various organizations, many of them volunteer community organizations, who manage and create the maps of their trails all over the nation. An ambitious team of W&M students are working with American Trails to create a national-level, collaborative trails map. The first step is to create a StoryMap that tells the story of American Trail's efforts to support trail stewards all over the US with the creation of a cohesive map that supports their efforts and broader coordination among trail users all over the US. Further, students are applying AI and deep learning approaches to explore potential strategies for compiling existing trail information from various formats needed to create a cohesive map. The team of students will present their Storymap and proposed approach for the compilation of trail data at the International Trails Summit in April, 2025! |
Mapping Biodiversity Impacts on National Forest LandsPartner: National Forest Foundation The National Forest Foundation (NFF) is designing biodiversity metrics assessment approach that will give funders insights into the impacts of field projects on flora and fauna populations. Given the wide variety of species, types of data and formats of data available, consolidating and synthesizing these datasets will be a critical path to understanding the gaps in this space and where the NFF may develop further. W&M students are working with NFF to conduct high level mapping exercises of available and relevant datasets in order to help us understand what is already available (federal/state/tribal level) and how that data relates to our project areas. This analysis will identify high priority areas (ecologically/biologically sensitive areas) on National Forest lands and where current field projects are being implemented, that have various biodiversity data and markers already being tracked and monitored. The end result will be the identification of NFF project areas that could serve as pilot locations for the biodiversity impact metrics program. These areas will check the boxes across being categorized as ecologically sensitive, on National Forest land, on land associated with current field projects, and have a wealth of key biodiversity data already available. |
Exploring Movement Patterns of Reintroduced Scimitar-horned Oryx, Addax and Other Highly Endangered Species to the Reserve de Fauna du Ouadi Rimé-Ouadi Achim in ChadPartner: Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute W&M students are invited to work alongside Dr. Mertes and collaborators to explore research questions about the factors that drive movement of reintroduced scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah), addax (Addax nasomaculatus), and other highly endangered species to the Reserve de Fauna du Ouadi Rimé-Ouadi Achim in Chad. This reintroduction project is a joint initiative of the Government of Chad and the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi and is implemented by Sahara Conservation, in partnership with the Ministry for the Environment, Fisheries and Sustainable Development. W&M students are working alongside SNZCBI scientists to analyze movement data from tracking devices placed on reintroduced animals to track their movements. Using movement and remote sensing data, students are exploring questions about the spatial and temporal movements of reintroduced ungulates, their clustering, and their ecology in order to inform management and conservation of these reintroduced species. |
Mapping Land Use on Private Lands in Colorado’s Mountain EcosystemsPartners: Private Landowners in Colorado A W&M students are working with private landowners in the mountains of Colorado to explore, from an integrative lens, patterns of land use, trails, and vegetation which is needed for the landowners to inform and evaluate their management strategies. Colorado’s high-elevation mountain ecosystems are home to important ecosystem biodiversity, including many alpine species and migratory species that are responding to changes in temperature and precipitation. Simultaneously, recreational use of alpine ecosystems is growing exponentially, adding an additional threat to the sensitive alpine ecosystems. Private landowners play an important role in protecting Colorado’s alpine, mountain forests, and foothill ecosystems across the Southern Rocky Mountains. This project will aid these landowners with maps and spatial analyses that will aid the landowners with managing their important lands in the face of change. |
Exploring the Conservation Value of San Antonio de los Lagos Natural Preserve, Colombia from an Integrative PerspectivePartners: San Antonio de los Lagos Natural Preserve San Antonio de los Lagos Natural Preserve in Colombia has supported important biodiversity, natural resources, sustainable agricultural systems, and the well-being of local communities for generations. In the face of rapid global changes, the managers of the Preserve are seeking to find the best way to conserve this important place to ensure the long-term sustainability of this important place for both nature and people. The Preserve team has been collecting ecological data on the Preserve for years but would like to expand their work to explore integrative approaches to document the value of the land and to use it to ensure the protection of this important place. In Fall 2024, W&M students worked with the Preserve to explore the conservation value of the Preserve, exploring its role in the protection of biodiversity and ecosystem services across the region. This started with the identification of the ecosystem services protected by the Preserve, combining the Preserve's values and global metrics. This included a spatial exploration of microclimates, biodiversity (highest concern), and the role of the Preserve in the connectivity of globally-recognized Key Biodiversity Areas. They then explored the ecotourism, avocado farming, and other economic benefits of the Preserve. Nora and Alex's work demonstrated the important role of the Preseve in protecting important endemic species and ecosystem services locally, regionally, and globally. The next phase of the research will include a more detailed exploration of the role of the Preserve in the protection of ecosystem services and will include efforts to share the story of the important conservation value of the Preserve with local communities and the broader global community. |
Community Engagement in Protection of Virginia's Scenic LandscapesPartner: Scenic Virginia Scenic viewsheds have aesthetic value for local communities. Preserving viewsheds protects this value and also protects biodiversity and ecosystem services. Scenic Virginia works with partners to map and protect Virginia's important viewsheds facing rapid development and secure the benefits they provide us all. |
Projecting Shoreline Changes across Virginia State ParksPartner: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation In the face of climate change and rapid land development, there is need to identify and protect shorelines that are vulnerable to sea level rise and degradation. W&M students are working to identify and map vulnerable shorelines (coastal, river, and lake shorelines) across Virginia State Parks and create a framework for Virginia DCR to monitor the changes in shorelines to inform their conservation efforts. These shorelines support important biodiversity and ecosystem services, but also hold important historical, cultural, and social value to Virginia's communities. |
Temporal Changes in Chukchi and Beaufort Sea Coastal Lagoons and the Effects on Water Chemistry, Fish Assemblages, and Subsistence Harvest ActivitiesPartner: Wildlife Conservation Society W&M students are working with Wildlife Conservation Society and their partners to apply GIS skills to explore how climate change may be influencing habitat characteristics and fish ecology in the Chukchi and Beaufort Sea. This will support their collaborative efforts with Indigenous and local communities to implement conservation strategies that promote biodiversity and livelihoods in the face of climate change. |
A Spatial Analysis for Ecosystem-based Adaptation in Nepal's Freshwater EcosystemsPartner: Word Wildlife Fund Healthy ecosystems provide a wide range of ecosystem services, including their ability to shield human populations from direct climate impacts such as storm surges. To effectively design long-term adaptation solutions, it is essential to have a deep understanding of the interlinkages, dependencies, and interactions within ecosystems. Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) has emerged as a concept that harnesses the solutions found in nature to address climate change challenges. EbA has gained traction across governmental and non-governmental organizations. |
Understanding and Monitoring the Impact of Sustainable Rangeland Management in AfricaPartner: Conservation International Africa's rangelands protect important natural resources and the livelihoods of pastoralist communities. Conservation International has developed a Herding for Health initiative that supports the monitoring of rangelands across large spatial and temporal scales to improve herding practices. Using a case study where Conservation International works with local communities to explore restorative grazing practices, William, & Mary students are exploring the best remote sensing metrics for monitoring the impacts of grazing practices on rangeland productivity. Testing two vegetation indices, students are exploring the efficacy of the indices in monitoring rangeland productivity over large spatial and temporal scales. |
Predicting the Spread of Invasive Asian Common Toads and the Role of Community-Managed Forests in the Mitigation of Toads in MadagascarPartner: Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group Invasive species are one of the primary drivers of global environmental change, affecting both biodiversity and human well-being. Human-induced movement has been the main mechanism of the spread of these species, either via purposeful introductions for biocontrol or agricultural purposes, or accidentally via shipping and land-transport of goods. Working alongside the Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group, W&M students are utilizing GIS and remote sensing technologies to explore the potential arrival locations for a recently discovered invasive population of Asian common toads (Duttaphrynus melanostictus) on the eastern coast of Madagascar. W&M students developed a habitat suitability map for toads to predict the potential for their presence and future invasion. This includes an exploration of the extent and connectivity of forests and transportation pathways (roads and waterways) and land uses across Madagascar to predict areas where toads are likely to spread and where the habitat is suitable for their invasion. Field data collected by reseachers from the Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group is being used to validate the habitats needed to inform the suitability models and to validate where toads are present and absent. The deliverable is a series of maps that show areas that have the highest risk for invasion based on a the primary factors that drive their spread and suitability of the habitat for toads to thrive. In 2024-2025, students are working on improved land cover classification for the region to identify areas that may be vulnerable to the spread of toads. The Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group will utilize this information to prioritize mitigation efforts needed to prevent the spread of invasive toad species on the critical ecosystems and wildlife of Madagascar. |
Exploring the link between Maternal Health and Biodiversity Conservation in NepalPartner: Dr. Julius Odihambo The William & Mary research project explores the socioeconomic and environmental factors that influence maternal and infant health in Nepal. In 2024, W&M students explored how access to health care, age, urban/rural influenced birth outcomes, duration of pregnancy, infant mortality, and anemia rates across Nepal. The next stage of the project is to explore the relationships between these factors and spatial patterns of health outcomes. This research supports a One Health approach, emphasizing the need for integrated strategies that address both public health and environmental conservation. Through this initiative, students will contribute to sustainable practices that enhance the health of mothers, infants, and their communities through the protection and restoration of ecosystem function.
|