Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Western Snowy Plover Nesting at Ormond Beach, Ca.

These are Western Snowy Plover (WSP) nests from Ventura County California from 2003-2013.  Each dot represents a nest that was initiated, however many nests failed to hatch.     The view is centered on Ormond Beach at the south end of the county.  It begins with the viewer's back to the ocean and rotates around the nesting area ~ 225 degrees so that you are on the opposite side looking toward the ocean, then swings over the top looking downward and then back to the starting place.  During the animation the nests from Hollywood Beach and the Ca State Parks beaches can be seen in the far background.

This animation was created in ArcScene. The data was plotted using year as the Z-value, so each line of dots represents a different year (legend above).

The purpose of this 3D animation is to examine how WSP utilized the habitat throughout the 11 year time period.   By separating annual data, yet displaying it together, it is possible to visualize both spatial dispersal patterns and temporal patterns.  A static picture of a 3D plot is still only a 2D image, so to appreciate the 3 dimensionality of this concept it must be viewed as an animation.

This animation was created as part of the final project for the fall 2013, Geography 653 Spatial Analysis course at the University of Maryland, Dept of Geography, GIS MPS program.

What is Surfers' Point?

What is Surfers' Point?

or

Surfers’ Point: A Case Study in Coastal Management, Ventura California

2012

One might think Surfers' Point is only a surf break.  It is definitely an iconic break, but it is so much more.  In 2012 Ventura Surfrider was given an exhibit space at the Ventura County Fair and we chose to focus on the newly completed managed retreat project at Surfer's Point.  A natural choice since this project is located on the beach right in front of the Ventura County Fair Grounds.  Although there is extensive information on managed retreats and the science of beaches, we couldn't find one concise presentation package that we could display in a static exhibit.  So I created this poster to describe the science behind beach erosion and the history and status of the Surfers' Point Managed Retreat.

 For more info: Surfers' Point.org

Matilija Dam

Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project

2010

My pet name for this poster when we were working on it was "Dam Solutions".  Anyone familiar with the Matilija Dam deconstruction will understand the humor.  Not an easy thing to deconstruct a dam, even a 60 year old dam that is rapidly deteriorating and non-functional.   

Advocacy to remove Matilija Dam began in the late 1990's, Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbit visited it in 2000 to kick off a demonstration project and the feasibility plan was completed in 2004.  Years later we struggle with budget cuts and alternative plans.  

This poster was created in 2010 to give us a tool we could use to educate, goose awareness and remind the public this project is still in the works.  Also to educate people unfamiliar with what it means to take down a dam.  

To learn more about the Matilija Dam Project go to the Matilija Coalition website.

The Ventura River Parkway

2011

This poster was created in 2011 to serve as a tool to begin our talking points at meetings and events about the Ventura River Parkway.  The poster describes a network of existing parks and preserves in 2011 that are along the Ventura River and form the beginning of the parkway. Much more has been accomplished since this poster was created!

About the Ventura River Parkway movement: The purpose of river parkways include the protection, improvement and restoration of riverine and riparian open space and wildlife habitat. Although the Ventura River is relatively "wild", by southern California standards, it is not accessible to public use.  The vision of the parkway is to the provide opportunities to the public for recreation as well as awareness regarding the conservation and restoration of rivers and streams. In addition, the goal is conversion of existing developed riverfront land uses into uses consistent with river parkways.

For more information go to the Friends of the Ventura River website. 

Grand Unification Poster

or "Protecting the Ventura River Watershed: Community based initiatives to protect and restore our natural resources"

2008 

Surfrider's Enviro Director Paul Jenkin used to laugh at me when we were working on this because I called it the "grand unification poster".  His title isn't as colorful.  But I think it really sums up what this is all about, in a watershed preservation kind of way.  This poster illustrates not only what is happening in the Ventura NGO community regarding preserving/restoring the Ventura River watershed, but it also highlights the many different groups and their diverse projects that are working toward that objective.  Each group focused on their specialty. It's a big deal to see this kind of teamwork among non-profits.  It's the Ventura Grand Unification project.  This poster is a little dated as it was done in 2008, but the work still continues, the collaborations grow and progress is being made.  Exciting times for lovers of the Ventura River.  Probably a more updated version will make an appearance in the future. 

The Sanjon Watershed

2008

The next installment in the Solving the Urban Runoff series created in 2008.  It focuses on the Sanjon Watershed, one of the watersheds that drains the city of Ventura.  It is a small watershed, but contains all the problems an urban community presents AND drains into the ocean, so is a perfect case study of an urban watershed.  The recommendations made to reduce runoff pollution in this proposal are gaining traction in the city government and may one day become a reality.

 Solving the Urban Runoff Problem: 2007

In 2007 I volunteered my GIS skills to the Ventura Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation.  This was the first poster of many.  This particular poster was the kick off for the Ocean Friendly Gardens campaign that teaches residents about the evils of urban runoff and how they can help reduce ocean pollution.  I went on to become the chair of the OFG campaign from 2007-2012.  This poster was entered in the Ventura College GIS day poster competition.  It tied for first place with the poster before this (Struggle to Survive) by popular vote of conference attendees.

 A Struggle To Survive: Endangered Least Terns and Snowy plovers on Ormond Beach

2007

This poster was designed  to bring attention to the issues faced by a breeding population of endangered California Least Terns (CLT) and Western Snowy Plovers (WSP) on Ormond Beach in Oxnard California.  I worked as a nest  monitor for both species and also tracked the winter population of the WSP.  This poster was presented to the Ventura Audubon Society to use as an educational tool and it tied for first place with the other poster I submitted at the 2007 Ventura College GIS day poster competition.