This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s July, 2022 Newsletter edition.

A shout out to Millennium Geospatial and specifically Luke, Ethan and Will who have been helping WWA integrate more in depth geographic information system (GIS) capabilities into our organization.  When WWA asked for some GIS help, we had a few ideas and projects in mind already, but what I did not know was what we might get.

It was probably good timing since WWA was looking for GIS help and Millennium Geospatial was broadening their area of expertise into the conservation field.  Thanks to Luke from Millennium Geospatial for reaching out to WWA to inquire on how they could help. These guys enjoy waterfowl hunting as well, which made for a good partnership. As a full fledged GIS business they can provide any company/person with any GIS needs, which is well beyond what I can comprehend at this point.  Let me tell you, it’s amazing how fast this field has progressed.

My GIS training from 20 years ago has been challenged, but for the better.  The guys have been in the field with me understanding what it is I’m looking at from a wetland restoration perspective.  This has resulted in incorporating the ArcGIS fielding app, ArcPro and AGOL into our project program.  With my novice background, at best I could maneuver around GIS programs, but now I can pretty much do whatever is needed.  Well, I can’t do it, but Millennium Geospatial can walk me through it, which they have done many times already.  Their patience has been great and it has really helped WWA begin to utilize a very powerful software program to its advantages.   These guys can do pretty much anything it seems with GIS, and their expansion into the conservation planning field will help all of us.

The ability to share and incorporate engineering, survey and GIS files with partners for projects will help WWA streamline some project planning work at times.  It has already expedited my ability to share and incorporate files that I could not previously work with from partnering agencies and organizations.  That strengthens WWA as an organization.

Recently we were on a site owned by Dane County, which is slated to be restored.  FWS asked me to take a look at it for some ideas on the wetlands and the drain tiles present.  Since Millennium Geospatial is located right in Madison, WI, we ventured out with them and collected some information on the site.  They also brought their drone do provide additional vantage points.