Abstract

The National Map Communities of Use
Track: National Mapping
Authors: Dick Vraga

The strategic vision of the US Geological Survey's National Geospatial Program (NGP) is to satisfy the needs of users by providing geospatial services and products that users incorporate into their decision making and operational activities. To attain that vision, the NGP must understand who the users are and how they are using program products. The NGP has identified four key communities of use – water resources, geologic mapping, natural hazards, and natural resources conservation. The NGP intends to use information gathered from these communities of use to improve products and services, or create new ones, to meet the operational needs of its highest priority users. This talk will describe efforts to engage those communities and seek audience feedback on the concept and possible methods to make this outreach effort more effective.