The ISU GIS Support and Research Facility, along with Parks Library, will host GIS Day 2025 on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in The Catalyst at Parks Library (Room 199). It will be a come-and-go event, allowing attendees to stay as long as they like. GIS Day is for everyone, from the GIS curious to the GIS user. Speakers will share their research from around campus, provide information about GIS opportunities and programs on campus, offer free GIS swag, serve free food, and hold a map competition with prizes. The Mapping Masterminds competition is open to everyone, including non-ISU staff and students. Two categories are available, and prizes are awarded for the winning entries.
GIS Day 2025
Join us before the presentations for coffee and pastries.
Welcome and introduction of the ISU GIS Support and Research Facility by Josh Obrecht
Welcome and introduction of the ISU GIS Support and Research Facility by Josh Obrecht
This talk presents how Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were used to collect, integrate, and analyze spatial data to model wildfire ignition risk in the state of California. Wildland–Urban Interface (WUI) areas in the state were mapped using ArcGIS, along with the boundaries of past wildfires. The boundaries of prescribed burns are also mapped to evaluate its effectiveness in wildfire suppression. These datasets form the foundation for an ongoing modeling effort that applies a hexagonal grid framework and specialized statistical techniques such as geographically weighted regression and spatio-temporal regression to quantify environmental and human factors influencing ignition probability. The resulting workflow highlights regional variations and supports data-driven strategies for prescribed fire planning and wildfire mitigation.
Rahul Bharadwaj Ravishankar
rahulrav@iastate.edu
PhD Student in Operations Research
Department of Industrial Engineering (IMSE)
This talk will discuss the use of ArcGIS StoryMaps to combine climate data with observations and action projects generated by the participants of the Stories of the Seasons cohort as part of the Central Midwest Climate Opportunities & Learning initiative. Our research focused on storytelling and arts-based methodologies through learning circles to foster climate adaptation among women landowners and producers across Iowa. We co-created an ecological calendar which tracks seasonal indicators and weather-related changes and aids in decision-making to consider sustainable farming and stewarding practices that are better suited to navigate climate uncertainty. The StoryMap serves as a tool to collect and display the knowledge gathered throughout a year and provides an engaging interactive space to braid art and science into a narrative of climate adaptation and resilience. It encourages collaboration and showcases resources and action projects to support others in adopting sustainable practices.
Mariana Castro Azpíroz
mca96@iastate.edu
MFA Student in Creative Writing and Environment
English Department
Closing by the GIS Support and Research Facility, awarding of Mapping Masterminds contest prizes, and awarding of quiz prizes.