www.toxicsites.us

This interesting webpage displays toxic locations or superfund sites throughout the US based on the year it was discovered, the type of waste, the site’s hazardous ranking score, population size near the site, and race around the location. Brooke Singer and team wanted to show the areas of these superfund sites and provide a map that the community could interact with. Check the site out at www.toxicsites.us

Below is a full view of the US in 2015 and under is zoomed in on New Jersey in the New Brunswick area. Thanks www.toxicsites.us for the interesting map!

nj.mapplerx.com/map/urisahealth

Take a look at this interesting map we made on Mappler in collaboration with Planning Communities! The map is full of GIS layers that you can toggle to show various information such as crime, food, recreation, transit, and URISA health data in DC. The picture below shows URISA data marking sidewalks, intersections, homeless locations, and garbage. Visit the map to view all the data ! nj.mapplerx.com/map/urisahealth

aqicn.org – Air Pollution Map

Air pollution is definitely a concern, especially with the growing population. I came across this air pollution map on aqicn.org that shows real-time air quality around the world. The screenshot below is of the United States, and shows that earlier today, we had a good to moderate air pollution level. If you check out the site, you can see a map of the world and compare how each country or continent is ranking in their current air level rate. The map is color-coded with green being good, yellow being moderate, orange is unhealthy for sensitive groups, red is unhealthy, purple is very unhealthy and dark red is hazardous.

Check out what your area looks like, and keep in mind how you can lessen your amount of air pollution! Check out the site by going to aqicn.org or click here.

Marine Debris in Cordova Alaska

A new project has been set up for marine debris mapping in Cordova, Alaska. This is a community map which means that anyone in the area who see debris on the land or water can photograph, pin-point, and share with anyone through the site. Using Mappler, you just add the location you found the debris and then choose what kind of debris it is from the long list of options (there is also an option for unknown). You can also add in the time and date, additional comments, and the length of the debris.

If you are ever in the Cordova area or around the Gulf of Alaska make sure to post what debris you find! This will help with cleanup and pollution monitoring !

Posted by Eva Gerrits, Intern. Click here to see the site. Contact gis@vertices.com

NOAA Marine Debris Program

“The NOAA Marine Debris Program envisions the global ocean and its coasts, users, and inhabitants free from the impacts of marine debris. Our mission is to investigate and solve the problems that stem from marine debris, in order to protect and conserve our nation’s marine environment, natural resources, industries, economy, and people.”- Mission Statement marinedebris.noaa.gov

This great program is doing all they can to keep our water safe, clean, and healthy. Through educational programs, hands-on relief work and working hand-in-hand with the government, non-profits, and the community,  the NOAA Marine Debris Program strives to improve the ocean everyday.

An interesting feature, that you can find on their website, is a map that shows where the MDP is currently working on projects. Some of the projects happening now include the clean-up in the San Diego Bay, trash removal at a NY salt marsh, and modifying crab traps in Alaska. Check out the rest of the project here.

Posted by Eva Gerrits, Intern. Click here to see the site. Contact gis@vertices.com

Galveston Bay Foundation

The Galveston Bay Foundation, a non-profit established in 1987, helps to manage issues and concerns of the Galveston Bay, located along the upper coast of Texas. This estuary serves a variety of uses such as commercial and recreational fishing, and marine transportation. Also, the bay area is the petrochemical production capital of the nation, where petroleum refining occurs. In addition Galveston Bay is also a place for hobbies such as bird watching and boating, and currently half the population of Texas lives in the Galveston Bay watershed.

With all of these activities and uses, pollution is a major concern and this foundation does all they can to minimize contamination. One of the many ways that the bay is protected is through the Galveston Bay Action Network. This interactive mapping tool powered by Mappler, is a way that the public and authorities can report and view water- related pollution in the bay area. Below shows the map where you can go for information and to post findings yourself.

If you are ever in the area and see something then report it! This interactive map is a great way for the public to interact and show concern which can lead to authoritative action. To learn more about the Galveston Bay visit- galvbay.org. To learn more about Mappler visit- www.mappler.net

Posted by Eva Gerrits, Intern. Click here to see the site. Contact gis@vertices.com