Sharlene Fritz
Sharlene Fritz works with diverse groups of people to share scientific knowledge and instill a stewardship ethic for the important natural systems that sustain us. Drawing from a Bachelor of Science (Physical Geography, UofC), a Professional Teaching Designation (SFU), and a Professional Editing Certificate (MRU), Sharlene weaves together guided outdoor interpretive programs, stories and indoor presentations for adults and school groups. She supported State of the Watershed reporting for the Ghost Watershed (2018), making it available online through ESRI Experience Builder (2023). Currently a student in the SAIT BGIS program, she is working towards mastering GIS concepts and skills to support conservation and stewardship initiatives.
Reid Thomas, a retired engineer, has held a longtime interest in landscape management planning. Kickstarting information sessions at a local community hall, he brought together experts and interested community members to provide timely, factual and relevant information all aimed at promoting informed public participation in planning processes. This led to the creation of Forest Matters, a non-profit society whose goal is to offer the best available data to ordinary citizens thereby equipping them to provide meaningful input.
Please note: At the time of this submission, these speakers and others from the focus group are possible but unconfirmed.
Sessions in which Sharlene Fritz participates
Tuesday 29 October, 2024
From ancient cave drawings depicting hunting grounds to hand-sketched layouts of backyard gardens, humans conceptualize space through map making. Maps serve both to capture what exists on the landscape and to plan future uses by intentionally defining where specific activities can happen. Modern satellite technology creates geospatial datasets that can contribute to current and proposed land use management planning, all underpinned by the pursuit of the public good.Background
Sessions in which Sharlene Fritz attends
Tuesday 29 October, 2024
The new Canadian Hydrospatial Network (CHN) is set to replace the National Hydrographic Network (NHN) for Canada. Designed for improved use in hydrological models, the CHN is analysis ready with full-network traversing ability, and value-added attributes such as stream order. The CHN is also created from higher-resolution source data and better aligned to elevation than the NHN, where possible, and has been streamlined for production and maintenance.Work is on-going to refine methods a...
The Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute (ABMI) defines human footprint as the visible alteration or conversion of native ecosystems to temporary or permanent residential, recreational, agricultural, or industrial landscapes. It also includes land that is periodically reset to earlier successional conditions by industrial activities such as forestry harvest areas and seismic lines. To monitor and map human footprint across Alberta, the ABMI, in partnership with the Alberta Human Footprin...
Water is one of our most vital resources, and its management is becoming increasingly complex in the face of climate change, population growth, and competing demands from agriculture, industry, and municipalities. This panel will delve into how geospatial technologies are revolutionizing water policy by providing the data-driven insights needed for smarter decision-making.Join leading experts from academia, provincial and federal gov...
Too often, when discussing the value proposition of geospatial data, we focus in on raw data or output products without spending a lot of time in the juicy middle of data throughputs. That is to say that modern geospatial is leaving a lot of value on the table and thus limiting our ability to good with our data by: -> Focusing too heavily on the capturing aspect of geospatial technologies;-> Ignoring or discounting analytical capabilities of geospatial technologie...
Regional and provincial conservation efforts require detailed human pressure mapping to manage and mitigate human impacts effectively. However, in the province of British Columbia (BC), existing efforts to map human pressures have faced significant challenges, particularly in adequately capturing their full extent. The Geospatial Centre of Biodiversity Pathways at the University of Northern British Columbia, in collaboration with the West Moberly First Nations and the Alberta Biodiversity Mon...
In 2021, the Government of Canada invested $63.8M in the Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping Program (FHIMP) to to create and disseminate engineering-level flood hazard maps that can help Canadians better plan and prepare for future flood risks. The program was recently extended to 2028 through the National Adaptation Strategy and enhanced with an additional $164 Million investment.Given that many Canadians are unaware of flood hazards, the FHIMP is working to fill gaps in knowledg...
The government of Alberta manages the production of riverine flood studies under the provincial Flood Hazard Identification Program, to assist communities in keeping Albertans safe and protecting their properties from floods. Flood maps improve public safety, support emergency management, and help us build safer and more resilient communities. The government of Alberta also manages the production of alluvial fan studies to help Albertans learn about flood risks in the steep terrain of Alberta...
The Riparian Web Portal (www.riparian.info) is an award-winning project, launched in 2021 by Alberta’s watershed community. This dynamic online space empowers Albertans to enhance riparian health through interactive access to comprehensive data and resources. It serves a crucial role in advancing the riparian health objectives pursued by various watershed groups.At its core, the portal integrates innovative GIS-based assessments from six watershed agencies, covering over 60,000 km of r...
Algal blooms, typically consisting of cyanobacteria which can produce harmful toxins, are a recurring problem on lakes around the world. Although Alberta has long-term sampling programs on selected lakes, monitoring is limited in time and space. Satellite remote sensing offers a way to monitor cyanobacteria blooms across the entire ice-free season and track spatial patterns of bloom development, dynamics, and spread across lakes. The Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute (ABMI), Alb...
Stand Out in a Crowded Market In a world overflowing with information, every company needs a compelling marketing strategy to stand out. It’s not enough to simply analyze and map data—you need to tell its story in a way that truly resonates with people. But let’s face it—translating complex geospatial data into engaging content can be a challenge.
Wrap up the first full day of Canada's National Geomatics Expo with the GoGeomatics Meetup! This lively party and networking event, free to attend, starts right after the day's sessions, offering a perfect blend of fun and professional interaction. Held on the expo main floor, the meetup features a cash bar to help you unwind and enjoy the evening. Join us for an exciting night of music, mingling, and making connections with fellow attendees. Don't miss this chance to relax and expand your ne...
Wednesday 30 October, 2024
Traditional teaching methods in post-secondary often included using powerpoint presentations and writing on a white or blackboard. The newer generations of students have been exposed to different ways of learning and this requires instructors or teaching professors to change their way of presenting information to help the students learn it at a deeper level. Using a radical constructivism philosophy, the students are required to engage in the material in their own way, connect wit...
How do hydrographic surveys, aerial Remote Sensing and GIS help with environmental efforts? Terra explores 2 projects that use a combination of different sensors and visualizations to achieve these goals. The projects include a rapid marine data collection supported by Aerial LiDAR to aid in rescue efforts of a trapped Orca cafe, and using LiDAR with GIS to support change detection efforts of a major land slide.
Earth Observation technologies have experienced unprecedented innovation and accessibility over the past several years. The role of the commercial sector has stepped in to offer several capabilities historically only available from government. This session will focus on examples of how EO technology is being...
Reduced snowpack in the Rockies presents a severe drought risk for Southern Alberta. Mountain snowmelt in the Bow and Oldman basins maintains reservoir levels, crop irrigation, municipal and industrial supply, and ecosystem services. As climate and consumption pressures increase, accurate snow water equivalent (SWE) data is crucial for water supply forecasts, which impact allocations and emergency drought measures. Field snowpack monitoring does not provide accu...
