GCS develops advanced GIS solutions tailored for the conservation industry, providing powerful tools for conservation land management. Our solutions enable organizations to map, analyze, and monitor ecosystems, wildlife habitats, and protected areas with precision. By leveraging spatial data visualization, conservationists can effectively track land use changes, assess biodiversity, and identify environmental threats such as deforestation or habitat fragmentation.
Read the Esri ArcWatch Article, “In Montana, an ArcGIS Online App Helps Promote Conservation”
With ArcGIS-powered solutions, organizations gain real-time insights into land health, supporting data-driven decision-making for restoration efforts, species protection, and sustainable land use. GCS also enhances collaboration among stakeholders, fostering unified efforts to conserve natural resources and ensure long-term environmental sustainability.
Explore GCS Project Examples Showcasing High-Quality Geospatial Solutions
Improving Water Quality with Lewis and Clark County Water Quality Protection District
GCS has developed a thorough GIS database for the Lewis and Clark County Water Quality Protection District to improve data management, streamline operations, and enhance communication on water quality. Key features include automated data import, interactive visualization tools, and a reliable data source. Future plans involve expanding and refining the system.
ArcGIS Cartographic Services for Grant Creek Ranch
Grant Creek Ranch is located in the Missoula valley, known for its rural character and significant wildlife areas. Originally homesteaded by Civil War veteran Captain John Grant, it transitioned from a dairy operation under Charlie Quast to raising Aberdeen Angus beef. In 2023, GCS updated the Ranch’s property map for modern needs.
COMPASS, Online Cultural Resource and Paleontological Database, for History Colorado, Department of Higher Education
History Colorado, established in 1979, is a charitable organization that enriches education through cultural resources and historical access. It recently modernized its Compass database with funding from the Office of Information Technology, enhancing search capabilities and integration with GIS. GCS developed a tailored portal for user-friendly data access and management.
Montana Nonprofit Five Valleys Land Trust Fosters Equitable Access and Population Initiatives
The Five Valleys Land Trust (FVLT), founded in the 1970s, focuses on protecting open lands and natural resources in western Montana. Collaborating with GCS, FVLT utilizes ArcGIS Online for geospatial analysis to enhance access to conservation areas. Their mission ensures equitable outdoor space access for future generations while respecting Indigenous land stewardship.
Web-Based Mapping App for Indigenous Conservation
Indigenous Vision (IV) partnered with GCS to develop a web-based mapping application showcasing cultural conservation areas near Chief Mountain. This project integrates geospatial data and custom cartographic displays for stakeholders. IV, a nonprofit founded in 2015, aims to empower Indigenous communities through education and cultural preservation across North America.
Columbia Carbon Project: A Geospatial Intelligence Tool for Climate Action
The Columbia Carbon Project is an innovative geospatial intelligence tool designed for land managers and policymakers to assess land use impacts on climate change. Utilizing an Esri dashboard and data from the USDA Forest Service, it evaluates carbon sequestration potential over 30 years, supporting natural climate solutions and sustainable land management.
Dredge Mining and Its Impact on Clearwater River Habitat
Dredge mining significantly threatens ecosystems, as illustrated by a federal court ruling that a miner polluted the South Fork of the Clearwater River without a Clean Water Act permit. Friends of the Clearwater (FOC), established in 1987, advocates for habitat preservation and biodiversity protection through monitoring, outreach, and legal action.
Agren’s Suite: Smart Tools for Sustainable Agriculture
Agren’s precision conservation software transforms soil and water management, enabling quicker online planning tools for farmers. Built with Esri ArcGIS and Microsoft technologies, their suite includes WaterwayBuilder and SoilCalculator. These innovations support profitable agricultural decisions, enhance productivity, and foster sustainability, while GCS aids in development and operations.
Efficient Wildlife Conservation Data Collection with GIS Technology
MPG Ranch, a 9,500-acre site in the Bitterroot Valley, focuses on ecological research and education. They partnered with GCS to create an iPad-based system for wildlife data collection, integrating high-resolution imagery and GPS. This allows researchers to analyze songbird populations and evaluate habitat restoration efforts effectively without disturbing wildlife.
Revolutionizing Environmental Legislation with Legal Atlas
Legal Atlas, LLC addresses the challenge of drafting effective environmental legislation by providing a centralized online platform for legal research. It offers global insights into various legal topics, enabling researchers to efficiently access up-to-date laws, trends, and best practices. The platform’s user-friendly features enhance accessibility and comparison across jurisdictions.
Bowhead Whale Project: Mapping Historical Ice Level Changes in the Bering Sea
GCS created comprehensive GIS maps for a climatology project studying ice level changes in the Bering Sea. Led by Dr. John Bocstoce, the project digitized data from Canadian whaling logs (1849-1914) and integrated modern NOAA data, offering valuable insights into two centuries of climatic shifts.
Custom GIS Solutions for Avian Ecology Research
GCS collaborated with the Avian Science Center to create a custom application for effective communication of ecological relationships, notably between bird species and fire dynamics in Northern Rockies. Utilizing ESRI’s ArcGIS Server and Google Maps, GCS supports ongoing development efforts to enhance awareness of these ecological connections.
International Society for Conservation GIS: GCS’s Role in ArcGIS Explorer Implementation
GeoWiki, developed by GCS in collaboration with Esri, is a platform created for the conservation community to publish and discover GIS datasets. With features like integration with Esri basemaps and 3D visualization, it enhances data sharing and visualization. Launched at an SCGIS conference, it plays a vital role in global conservation efforts.
Explore the Biogeography of the Lewis and Clark Trail
GCS developed a custom geospatial application for the Missouri Botanical Garden designed for K-12 education. This platform allows users to explore the Lewis and Clark Trail’s biogeography through interactive maps and rich content. It enhances ecological literacy by integrating advanced technologies and reputable sources, promoting environmental awareness and conservation.
Exploring Lewis and Clark’s Geospatial Legacy
The dedicated website offers insights into the geospatial legacy of Lewis and Clark’s expedition, examining historical and modern landscape changes. Users can explore themes through an interactive application developed by GCS, enhancing their understanding of ecological shifts. The platform commemorates the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial and supports the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s conservation mission.
Enhancing LandFire Assessments with Mobile GIS Solutions
GCS partnered with ESRI and Trimble to create a mobile GIS-GPS solution for the Student’s Conservation Association LandFire Field Assessment Program. By leveraging advanced technology, they organized field data around a geospatial database to enhance data collection, analysis, and retrieval, aiding conservation efforts against wildfires.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Kiosks Project
GCS completed the State Parks Kiosks Project for MFWP, digitizing geographical features across Montana’s 50 State Parks. Deliverables included electronic geodatabases and hard copy maps, utilizing ESRI ArcGIS software. Detailed attributes were added for various features, and FGDC-compliant metadata was provided, supporting MFWP’s mission of resource management and recreational enjoyment.
Transform your GIS capabilities with GCS’s ArcGIS professional services. Our team of experts is dedicated to providing tailored solutions that enhance your project planning, management, and execution. Whether you’re seeking technical support, customized training, or strategic consulting, we have the experience and knowledge to help you succeed. Don’t miss the opportunity to elevate your geospatial initiatives—contact GCS today and let us partner with you to unlock the full potential of ArcGIS technology.


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