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PGC Updates + Events
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It is that time of year again for the second annual release of our ArcticDEM and REMA high-resolution digital elevation model (DEM) data strips. These strips, derived from Maxar imagery from 2023, capture specific dates and times, making them valuable for change detection and time series analysis.
Key features in the 2023 Annual Release:
 In July 2023, an exception to Electro-Optical Commercial Layer (EOCL) license contract allows for continued public access to historical and newly created REMA and ArcticDEM data, except Alaska. Read our FAQ for more information.
PGC Arctic (Canada) Imagery Mosaic RefreshOur Arctic 50 cm panchromatic imagery mosaic refresh was heavily focused on the Canadian Arctic. The updated mosaic is now available to users in our web-based mapping application, PGC’s Imagery Viewers (https://viewers.apps.pgc.umn.edu/). The app provides quick access to hundreds of terabytes of orthorectified satellite imagery, mostly of WorldView-1, -2 and -3 sensors. More information about our viewers can be found on our website. Here are the major improvements highlighted:
Access to secured and licensed data layers in PGC’s Imagery Viewers are restricted to current federally-funded polar researchers, federal employees, or subcontractors. New users can request an account here. PGC verifies all funding sources after you submit an account request.
NGA Visits PGCEarlier this summer, PGC had the privilege to host a small team from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) at our office in St. Paul, Minnesota. The visit highlights the ongoing partnership on the digital elevation model (DEM) projects and the NGA’s critical role in streamlining access to geospatial data for the federal community, including researchers. PGC and NGA have collaborated on polar geospatial projects, ArcticDEM and REMA, due to complementary expertise and to support enhanced understanding of the polar regions. NGA’s interest and mission often ties to national security concerns while PGC focuses on scientific and operational support. The collaboration ensures needs are addressed by leveraging each other’s support. |
PGC People Updates
Student Spotlight
Nicole Schiller is a new graduate research assistant at PGC. Despite earning her B.S. in biology at the University of Minnesota (UMN), Schiller first learned about PGC at the UMN GIS Student Organization Career Fair at the beginning of the year. In the fall, Schiller will be enrolled in the University’s Master of Geographic Information Science while working at PGC. She has become increasingly enthusiastic about supporting science with maps. We are excited to be a part of her journey and showcase the endless possibilities between biology, GIS, remote sensing, polar science, and more!
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Conference Connections
Wrap Up: Arctic Congress and Polar Research Board
PGC’s Cole Kelleher represented PGC at the Arctic Congress in Bodø, Norway to network and promote scientific collaborations with other scientists, policymakers, indigenous leaders and other stakeholders. As the U.S. representative to SCAGI, Kelleher was also involved and reported to the Polar Research Board, specifically on SCAR’s International Principles and Procedures for Antarctic Place Names.
Upcoming Events
PGC is planning on attending the following conferences to connect with existing collaborators and reach new community members. By no means is this an exhaustive list but we hope you please consider stopping by and connecting with us!
PGC Broader Impacts
Tribal Youth GIS Camp: For the second year, PGC was invited to collaborate and provide mentoriship for the Tribal Youth GIS camp at Fond du Lac Reservation in Northern Minnesota. Through a partnership between the Indian Land Tenure Foundation, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, and University of Minnesota U-Spatial, the camp seeks to provide greater opportunities for Indigenous youth to develop an interest in GIS through a mentor training curriculum, online training modules, workshops, and youth internships that revolved around story mapping of community issues and interests.
SLAWR REU: PGC is a mentored partner in the Sustainable Land and Water Resources Research Experience for Undergraduates (SLAWR REU, https://reuslawr.org). The program introduces undergraduate students to Earth systems science that weaves Indigenous knowledge with Western knowledge to advance scientific understanding and support tribal management decisions. PGC’s Torres Parisian and senior personnel, co-led one of the research groups studying manoomin (Ojibwe for wild rice) this summer and provided broad support for story mapping and scientific poster creation. In following summers, with support from A. Johnson of Salish Kootenai College, Torres Parisian and Johnson will initiate partnerships with Arctic indigenous communities to incorporate polar mapping and tribal natural resource management into the program. Please join us at the SLAWR REU Research Symposium at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul campus. See details below.
