In this episode of Geographical Thinking, host Michelle Brake dives into the inspiring story of Ontario Nature’s Youth Council and their growing impact in the world of conservation. Hear from council members and the Ontario Nature staff that support them, as they share how they’re using digital tools, like ArcGIS StoryMaps and Canva, to raise awareness about wetland loss across Ontario.From leading community events to developing social media campaigns, these young changemakers are proving that passion, creativity, and a little geospatial know-how can make a big difference. Whether you're a student, educator, or nature enthusiast, this episode is full of ideas on how youth can lead the way in environmental advocacy, armed with maps, messages, and mission-driven digital content.
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22:57
Inside Overture Maps
Accurate, interoperable map data is the backbone of everything from navigation apps to emergency response systems. In this episode of Geographical Thinking, host Michelle Brake explores how the Overture Maps Foundation is tackling the biggest challenges in digital mapping - data fragmentation, inconsistent formats, and lack of standardization. Executive Director Marc Prioleau joins the show alongside Esri Canada’s Paul Heersink and Arif Rafiq to share how Overture is building a global, open map dataset that’s clean, current, and community-driven. From persistent feature IDs to monthly quality updates and standardized schemas, Overture is helping GIS professionals and organizations unlock the full potential of spatial data. We’ll also hear how Esri Canada’s contributions through roads and address data are aligning with international best practices, and how transportation agencies can benefit from this shared approach. Whether you’re a map lover, data manager, or transportation planner, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of open, authoritative geospatial data.
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The Hidden Village of Clementsport
Once a bustling hub of shipbuilding and industry, the village of Clementsport, Nova Scotia, now holds much of its history in memory. But thanks to a powerful blend of storytelling and digital mapping, its past has been brought back into view.In this episode of Geographical Thinking, we sit down with Fionnuala Braun, the creator of The Hidden Village of Clementsport StoryMap, and her father, Scott Digweed, volunteer archivist with the Clements Historical Society. Together, they reflect on the process of uncovering lost stories, digitizing community memory, and mapping what no longer stands. We explore what it means to map absence, how imagination plays a role in digital history, and what it felt like to have the project recognized as a finalist in Esri’s 2024 StoryMaps competition.This episode is a tribute to community memory, grassroots storytelling, and the evolving ways we can engage with place—even places that seem to have disappeared.
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33:11
Map It, Share It - But First, Read the License
Open data is meant to be shared, but it can quickly become a legal headache without a clear license. In this episode of Geographical Thinking, host Michelle Brake is joined by Paul Heersink, Program Manager of Roads & Addresses at Esri Canada and chair of the Overture Maps Foundation’s addressing task force. Together, they dive into the world of open data licensing: what it is, why it matters, and how even small oversights can lead to big problems.Paul shares insights from his work with hundreds of data sources across Canada and beyond. He explains how clear, standardized licenses like CC0, CC BY, and the Open Government License help organizations avoid confusion and encourage responsible data use. Whether you’re a GIS professional, data publisher, or just curious about how maps and data get shared, this episode will help you understand the importance of getting the fine print right.
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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.
Tune in for inspiring stories from thought leaders and GIS users across business, government and education in Canada. Get practical tips for applying geospatial thinking to tackle challenges -- from simple ones encountered in everyday life to the most complex issues our world faces today.
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