GIS Section Update

With Hal Watson moving to MNIT DNR Deputy CBTO, Catherine Hansen accepted a Work-Out-Of-Class appointment as the MNIT DNR GIS Section Supervisor. She is a seasoned leader within our team and we are confident she will be a steady hand as we line things up for a permanent hiring process targeted for the end of August. For those of you who take advantage of GIS technology or are served directly by the MNIT DNR GIS Team, Catherine will be your leadership contact during this period. Thank you, Catherine, for stepping into this role for the team! 

Join the April 25th GIS User Group meeting to hear more updates on the GIS section. We hope to see you there!

2023 User Group Meetings for GIS users

Join a User Group Meeting to hear from fellow colleagues and to share the GIS work we do. All are scheduled to be virtual meetings.

Click on the user group name below to access and add the series .ics file to your calendar.  

GIS User Group Meetings for ALL GIS users or anyone interested in GIS at MNDNR

4th Tuesday Quarterly, from 1pm-2pm

April 25, July 25, Oct 24

ArcGIS Pro User's Group Meetings for anyone interested in ArcGIS Pro

4th Friday Quarterly, from 1pm-2pm

May 26, Aug 25, November 17th (3rd Friday)

Python User Group Meetings for anyone interested in using Python

2nd Thursday Quarterly, from 1pm-2pm

June 8, Sept 14, Dec 14

Agendas and past meetings are available online. Please visit our web site today!

Last Call for Spring 2023 GIS Training

We've added May classes to meet the demand and interest. These are the last classes this spring. We will hold classes again in the Fall. Visit the GIS Section Intranet Resources to review our current course offerings and registration directions. 

Please review the course prerequisites and descriptions here. 

Migrating from ArcMap to ArcGIS Pro - May 5, 2023 - $100

Introduction to ArcGIS Pro - May 9 and 10, 2023 - $200

Editing Workflows in ArcGIS Pro - May 23, 2023 - $100

Students can log into Self-Service portal, go to Learning Management and search for key word "ArcGIS" to see available courses and if there are seats available.

Seats are limited and registration is first come, first served by approval.  Enrollment is pending until supervisor approval is made and a purchase order is established. Visit the GIS Section Intranet Resources for registration directions.

Questions? Please send an email to Catherine Hansen.

GIS Collaborative GIS Bytes

Join the state collaborative's next GIS Bytes on May 15th from 12-1

Using ArcGIS Arcade Across the ArcGIS System

ArcGIS Arcade is an expression language that is used across the ArcGIS platform. Whether the application is symbology, labeling, pop-ups, attribute rules, field calculations in Pro or Web Maps, Arcade provides a simple scripting syntax to deliver these capabilities. Find out how to use Arcade with practical examples and how to get started putting it to use in your projects.

Presenters: Matt Robinson is a Solution Engineer with Esri focusing on finding GIS solutions that support the business requirements of state government users. Phillip Julian assists both State and Local governments in the Midwest as an Esri Solution Engineer, ensuring that governments and agencies can fully leverage the ArcGIS platform.

Click here to download the calendar appointment. Please reach out to Bob Diedrich with questions.

ArcGIS Pro Tip: Create Line Profile Graph with LiDAR data

There are a few ways to create elevation profile graphs in ArcGIS Pro. The Interpolate Shape tool is a good free option, so long as you have either a 3D Analyst or Spatial Analyst extension*

There is also a "Ready to Use" Profile tool, however this tool requires an AGOL account and consumes credits to utilize ESRI elevation data services. We recommend using the free, built-in Interpolate Shape tool!

• Use LiDAR 01m DEM (Data Service) layer from Quick Layers
• Select existing or create a new line feature
• Specify output geodatabase; creates new line feature with needed elevation values.
• Generate a Profile Chart for the output feature.

Want to try this yourself? Check out this tip sheet with step by step directions.

*Reach out to GIS Support if you need an ArcGIS Pro extension.

Minnesota GIS/LIS Consortium Update

2023 MN GIS/LIS Spring Workshops registration is now OPEN!!!

Hosted May 11th at the University of MN. Fore more information or to register, click here. 

• The GIS/LIS Consortium's Professional Development Committee is seeking members to help shape the events and programs we use to help grow our members. Especially needed are representatives from both Greater Minnesota and the Twin Cities to support planning of Consortium-hosted networking events. Other activities that committee members get to take part in include the Mentorship Program, Member Spotlight Series, and the Member Showcase. But we’re hoping for even more in 2023—with the new year underway, the path is open for direction and we want you to help us form it!
• The committee meets once a month for one hour and commitment is flexible based on your availability. Interested? Contact the Professional Development Committee via email at profdev@mngislis.org.

Join the Conversation

Add yourself to the DNR GIS Community Microsoft Team today. It has been designed for any DNR employee using or interested in GIS technology. Anyone can be as active or passive in the Team as they desire. 

The Community is an interactive environment for members to ask GIS related questions and collaboratively share ideas. Join to Be Informed, Get Answers to Questions, or Get Feedback on Ideas.

DNR employees can add themselves to the DNR GIS Community with the Team code 5izzvto.

In Teams, click on the Join or create a team button at the bottom of your list of Teams.

Type in the code 5izzvto and click Join team.

The DNR GIS Community Team is an additional communication tool to enhance (not replace) the purpose of this DNR GIS Newsletter or the GIS Section Intranet pages. 

Want to know more? Check out the Team's Frequently Asked Questions.

Getting to know Catherine...

Catherine's career has focused on GIS support and training for nearly 30 years. She started teaching cartography and GIS in 1994 as a Geography graduate student at Mankato State University (now Minnesota State University, Mankato). Prior to joining MNIT DNR in 2015, she has worked as a GIS analyst for Mower County SWCD, a GIS specialist at SRF Consulting, and was the training coordinator and an ESRI authorized instructor as a Rowekamp Associate (1998-2002). More recently, she was a Geography faculty member at the University of St Thomas where she taught and managed student work in the GIS lab (2001-2015). She is also currently a MGIS instructor at the University of Minnesota, where she has been teaching desktop mapping courses since 2000. She was honored with the MN GIS/LIS Consortium Polaris Leadership award in 2013, and has had a variety of leadership roles in the GIS community. In addition to all the fun GIS roles over the last few decades, Catherine also held a variety of leadership roles for her boy's baseball and hockey associations; now blessed to be a retired hockey mom! Pictured here with her "waiting-for-kid-in-parking-lot" companion, Penny. Time in the woods, no matter the season or company, is her ideal vacation - or a trip to the Marlborough District, New Zealand!