January GIS Cluster MeetingPresenter: Roger Johnson – National Parks Service
The National Park Service (NPS) is guided by the Organic Act of 1916, to protect and preserve resources within units of the National Park System. A number of NPS units contain nonfederal lands. Depending on the use of these lands, it is often necessary for the NPS to seek to acquire them, or interests in them, or conduct land exchanges in order to protect resources and visitor use and enjoyment. The Land Resource Division (LRD) coordinates the exchange and acquisition of lands for the National Park Service. As a result of this activity LRD is the official repository of all NPS land record data and continually maintains dynamic land ownership, parcel, and boundary datasets in support of the NPS mission. This session will provide an overview of the policies, processes, and procedures LRD employs in the creation and management of these foundation data sets. The session will also provide an overview of how this data is then distributed and integrated with other government and private entities.
Roger Johnson is the Chief Cartographer of the National Park Service (NPS) Land Resources Division (LRD). He is responsible for coordinating all NPS land status and acquisition mapping activities nationwide. Beyond cartographic mapping services Roger's manages the digital data development, distribution, and archiving of LRD's parcel, ownership, and boundary data.
Additionally, Roger maintains an online archive of the legal documentation associated every NPS unit including; legislation, deeds, legal descriptions, maps/plats, and metadata. As a result of these activities Roger often serves as the NPS representative on interagency committees and government working groups whose goals are the coordination, standardization, and integration of geospatial data.
Prior to coming to NPS Roger served for eight years with NOAA's Office of Coast Survey. Beginning his career as a production cartographer, Roger was fortunate to have the opportunity to develop several of the tools used by the Marine Charting Division in the production of their raster and electronic nautical charts. He also played a primary role in the design, creation, and public testing of prototype and new concept nautical charts.
As a result of these activities, Roger was given the responsibility of managing the Coast Survey Development Laboratories, Cartographic and Geospatial Technology Program.
Roger holds degrees in Geography and Physical Science from California State University as well as professional certifications from ERSI, Autodesk, ERDAS, MicroStation, Oracle, and Microsoft.