Geographical Thinking from Esri Canada

• Zoom In on Renters’ Rights

  What if renters had a map that helped them understand their rights? In this episode of Geographical Thinking, we dive into the story behind the Tenant Policy Atlas—a one-of-a-kind tool that's putting renters, not just streets and buildings, on the map.Michelle Brake sits down with T’Brenn Kelly-McKinnon and Cameron Glover from the Rental Protection Fund to explore how this interactive atlas is making waves across BC. From eviction protections to relocation policies, the tool is designed to cut through the confusion and help tenants, advocates, and policymakers see the bigger picture—literally.Along the way, we hear why GIS is the secret weapon in the fight for affordable housing and what happens when technology meets a mission to protect homes and communities. Whether you're a map nerd, a renter, or just love a good story about using geography for good—this one's for you.

  --------  

  37:55
• Climate Action Plans with a Sunny Outlook

  In this episode of Geographical Thinking, host Michelle Brake is joined by Sunny Fleming, Director of Environment, Conservation & Natural Resources Solutions at Esri Inc., to explore the crucial role of GIS in shaping effective and resilient climate action plans. Drawing on personal experiences with extreme weather events, such as Hurricane Helene, and professional insights gained through years of working with environmental data. Sunny shares how spatial thinking and GIS technology are transforming the way communities respond to climate change. Together, Michelle and Sunny unpack the concept of climatehavens, discuss the common gaps in existing climate plans, and highlight how geospatial tools can bridge those gaps with real-time data, predictive modeling, and community-driven insights. They also explore the evolving role of technologies like GeoAI in supporting long-term climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.Whether you're part of a government agency, organization, or simply a curious individual, this conversation offers valuable advice on how to begin integrating GIS into climate action planning. Tune in to learn how mapping the right data can help us all prepare for an uncertain future—and take meaningful action today.

  --------  

  45:49
• A Hub for Change

  How can data and mapping technology drive social change? In this episode of Geographical Thinking, we explore the Community Prosperity Hub, a powerful initiative that brings together nonprofits, policymakers, and residents to tackle community challenges with data-driven solutions.Host Michelle Brake is joined by Sandi MacKinnon, Executive Director of Greater Fredericton Social Innovation, Kate Walsh, Project Coordinator at GFSI, and Rob Lunn, GIS Coordinator for the City of Fredericton. Together, they discuss the origins of the Community Prosperity Hub, the impact of GIS in supporting local decision-making, and how collaboration is shaping a more inclusive and resilient Fredericton.From innovative partnerships to real-world success stories—like how local councillors used GIS data to better understand their wards—this episode highlights the power of maps in fostering meaningful change. Tune in to discover how geography and social innovation come together to build stronger communities.

  --------  

  32:25
• Whales or Whitecaps?

  In this episode of Geographical Thinking, host Michelle Brake is joined by Dr. Mohamed Ahmed, Lead Data Scientist at Esri Canada, to explore how AI is transforming marine conservation. Fisheries and Oceans Canada collaborated with Esri Canada to train deep learning models to detect beluga whales in Arctic waters using aerial, drone, and satellite imagery. With accuracy rates of 85-88%, these models can analyze thousands of images in hours, a task that previously took months. Mohamed shares insights into the challenges of distinguishing whales from ice, the evolution of the AI models, and what this breakthrough means for the future of marine research. Tune in to discover how technology is helping us better understand Arctic ecosystems and the impact of climate change.

  --------  

  30:27
• The Community Map of Canada: Where Stories Meet Data

  The Community Map of Canada is a living, breathing map built by and for Canadians! In this episode, Alex Miller, president and founder of Esri Canada, talks with our Esri colleagues about this collaborative project. Bringing together authoritative data from governments, communities, and organizations across the country to create a detailed and accessible basemap. From urban centers to remote wilderness, the Community Map of Canada reflects the diverse stories of our land. Whether you’re a GIS pro, a community advocate, or just a curious map lover, this episode will inspire you to see Canada in a whole new way!

  --------  

  24:03

Weitere Wissenschaft Podcasts

Trending Wissenschaft Podcasts

Über Geographical Thinking from Esri Canada