2026 WA GIS Conference: Full Schedule

8:30am PDT

Kayak-Based Citizen Science: Mapping Real-Time Water Temperature in Puget Sound with GIS

Thursday May 21, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am PDT

EcoTrackrs is a GIS-driven citizen science initiative by EarthViews Conservation Society designed to address a critical gap in nearshore monitoring: the lack of high-resolution, spatially distributed water temperature data in Puget Sound. Existing monitoring systems are often fixed or coarse in scale, limiting their ability to capture localized variability driven by climate change, shoreline complexity, and urban impacts.

This project uses kayaks as mobile data collection platforms, enabling access to shallow and complex nearshore environments that are difficult to monitor using traditional methods. Volunteer kayakers are equipped with temperature sensors and a custom mobile app to collect synchronized GPS and temperature data in real time. These data are processed and visualized using Esri tools, including ArcGIS Online and Experience Builder, creating an interactive and publicly accessible map.

As a proof of concept, the pilot generated over 4,600 geolocated temperature data points across multiple locations in Puget Sound, demonstrating both feasibility and scalability.

This presentation will outline the full workflow from kayak-based data collection to GIS visualization, as well as key lessons learned in sensor selection, app development, and volunteer engagement. It will also highlight how this approach complements existing agency monitoring by providing fine-scale, flexible datasets that can inform climate resilience and waterway management.

EcoTrackrs demonstrates how GIS-enabled, community-driven data collection can expand monitoring capacity, improve spatial resolution, and support more responsive environmental decision making.

Speakers

Brian Footen

Director/Expedition Lead, EarthViews Conservation Society

Brian Footen is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of EarthViews Conservation Society, where he directs the application of GIS and immersive mapping technologies to protect waterways across Washington State and the Western U.S. With over 20 years of experience working with Tribal... Read More →

Thursday May 21, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am PDT
409

Environment, RT Mapping

2026 WA GIS Conference

Success you have shared X tickets.

2026 WA GIS Conference

8:30am PDT

Brian Footen

Get help with the event