This award winning project recognized Photo Science’s efforts to support the District’s mission of protecting and managing the region’s ecosystem by creating a detailed GIS dataset of SAV for the near shore coastal areas from Pinellas County south to Boca Grande, an area of approximately 2,400 square miles.

The project objectives were to produce two spatially and thematically accurate ArcGIS SAV datasets.  Photo Science acquired digital true color aerial imagery of the project using a Z/I Imaging DMC in 2006.  The resultant mapping deliverables were the first SAV dataset the District received that was derived from direct digital imagery.  All previous SAV datasets (2004 and earlier) were derived from analog film.  Thus, the 2006 SAV dataset provided a unique opportunity to compare and contrast previous traditional analog film with direct digital imagery collects with respect to workflow, orthophoto production, positional accuracy, radiometric accuracy, photointerpretation, trends and SAV acreages.  By using a fully-digital workflow production solution that utilizes this new technology, Photo Science was able to improve the accuracy and delineate seagrass beds that exceeded a classification accuracy of 90%.

A panel of judges selected Photo Science for this award based on the complexity of the project; the innovative application of technology and techniques; the future value to the geospatial profession; and public and client satisfaction.  “Photo Science is especially pleased to receive this award.  Many thanks go to the District for giving us the opportunity to utilize the new technologies available to us to assist in achieving their goals.  We hope that our successful completion of this project continues to help the Tampa Bay Region thrive.  We also hope this recognition translates into additional appreciation within the coastal community that geospatial technology can play an important role in ecosystem management,” said Gary Florence, CP, Photo Science’s Project Manager for this project.

About MAPPS.  Formed in 1982 and currently celebrating the 25th anniversary of the association, MAPPS has expanded in size and scope to become the only national association exclusively comprised of private firms in the spatial data and geographic information system field in the United States.  Current MAPPS memberships spans the entire spectrum of the geospatial community, including Member Firms engaged in satellite and airborne remote sensing, surveying, photogrammetry, aerial photography, hydrography, aerial and satellite image processing, GPS, and GIS data collection and conversion services.  MAPPS also includes Associate Members, which are companies that provide hardware, software, products and services to the geospatial profession in the United States and other firms from around the world. For more information on MAPPS, please visit www.MAPPS.org.

About Photo Science. Founded in 1974, Photo Science is a full-service geospatial firm, specializing in aerial imaging and data collection, photogrammetric mapping, GIS, remote sensing, and surveying services.  Headquartered in Lexington, KY, and with offices located in Philadelphia, PA; Washington, DC; Bangor, ME; Atlanta, GA; and Orlando and St. Petersburg, FL, Photo Science’s 180 member professional and technical staff are devoted to providing high quality geospatial products and services to federal, state, and private sector customers.  For more information, please visit www.photoscience.com.