That's us to the left, out in the field, looking for stories, ideas, facts and adventure. In addition to science and data work, we occasionally write blogs about what we find and think -- from comments on a personal oil spill, to carrying a drip torch, to sweltering in summer prairie heat, and the importance of using the best data for the right reasons. We have opinions, beginning with TNC-LANDFIRE Program Lead Jim Smith, who is passionate about accuracy and uses road maps to prove it.
Jim Smith, TNC-LANDFIRE Program Lead
Spatial Data Quality Six-part series blog. With a keen eye, Jim looks at spatial data and offers important insight and advice. Think wine, cross-country road trips, map disagreement and more.
Data and Models: Pay Attention to What's Behind the Curtain Jim faces the Wizard of Oz and admonishes him to respect the data.
Ecological Expectations: Keep the Math Simple Jim suggests that computing Ecological Departure is like doing a performance review.
The Good Old Bad Old Days Jim presents a geezer's point of view regarding appropriate scale.
11 Commandments of Data Protocol Jim covers the "thou shalls" and "thou shalt nots" of appropriate data use.
In this short interview, Jim explains how TNC-LANDFIRE fits into The Nature Conservancy's conservation strategy for North America.
Kori Blankenship, Fire Ecologist
Will Trade Computer for Drip Torch Kori muses on being in the field vs. doing the important computer crunching.
How Flossing Relates to Modeling Kori offers her Top Ten Tips on how to run effective workshops and train experts.
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Sarah Hagen, Spatial Analyst
No Place Else I'd Rather Be: Troubles and Triumphs of Prairie Restoration Sarah reflects on working in the field, dealing with nature at its raw best (and sometimes worst), and the long-lasting rewards the prairie offers.
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Randy Swaty, Ecologist
Life, Work, Reality Revealed Randy looked into a metaphorical mirror and saw that he'd let some professional warts develop. He shares four revelations that came of the self-examination.
Who? Me? A Modeler? Randy says that you don't need to be a professional-expert to make good ecological models.
One Man's Oil Spill Randy meditates on preserving resources after an incident with an oil change gone awry.
The Beer and Coffee Manifesto for Successful Conservation Randy offers guidance on how to build successful partnerships, establish friendships and get work done where everyone wins.
My LANDFIRE Decade Randy tells the amazing story behind the development of this suite of critical tools designed to aid in the restoration of US landscapes.
Also...
Of Computers and Calculators Randy and former TNCer Jeannie Patton examine what it's like to live off the grid.
Potatoes, Tomatoes and the Language of Science Randy and former TNCer Jeannie Patton explore the gap between science and marketing communications
Is Nature in Trouble? The TNC-LANDFIRE team considers the seriousness of funding conservation efforts. The article upon which this report is based is available online at PLoS One.
Storms, Shoveling and Snow Angels Former TNCer Jeannie Patton says, "Thanks, mom!" for launching her on a trajectory of conservation and land protection from the corner of Bails Place and Dahlia Street in Denver.