Center for Geospatial Analytics Students Tackle Real-World Problems Across the Southeast

At NC State University’s Center for Geospatial Analytics, students in the Master of Geospatial Information Science and Technology (MGIST) program are showing how maps and data can help solve real problems in our communities. As part of their final capstone projects, students team up with local and federal government, nonprofits and private companies to tackle everything from stormwater and wildfires to unpaved roads and historic cemeteries.

Tackling Environmental Risks with Mapping

Several students focused on environmental challenges, using satellite images, drones, and AI to keep people and ecosystems safe.

In partnership with SkyComply, a private company, Benjamin Grimes developed a tool to identify open-top dumpsters in aerial imagery. When these dumpsters aren’t covered, stormwater can wash pollution into nearby waterways. The tool helps companies and agencies spot and address these hazards more quickly and accurately, protecting the environment from unnecessary contamination.

Jessie Matthews and Chase Crute also focused on stormwater management. Matthews created a tracking system to help NC State comply with stormwater inspection permits, while Crute worked with the City of Asheville to build a tool that shows how pollution could move through the city’s underground pipes. Both tools improve response time and protect local waterways.

In the mountains of Western North Carolina, Evan Fisher worked with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission to assess how Hurricane Helene damaged tree cover along streams. His interactive map pinpoints where forest canopy was lost, information that will help restore habitats for vulnerable aquatic species.

In coastal areas, flooding and sea level rise are growing threats. Abby Wiese used predictive modeling to show how Pamlico County’s shoreline might change over time and where “living shorelines” made of natural materials (rather than a concrete seawall) could help protect against erosion. Ashlyn Tickle mapped cemeteries in Chatham County, GA to show which are most at risk from flooding today and in the future, helping communities protect these important sites before damage occurs.

And in Charleston, South Carolina, Jamie Huerta studied how extreme heat disproportionately affects socially vulnerable neighborhoods. By combining heat data with vegetation cover and social indicators, Huerta’s tool reveals how some communities face greater risks than others and supports fairer climate planning.

Supporting Forests and Forest Research

Other projects focused on forests and land conservation. North Carolina’s forests are a mix of uniform and diverse areas; some have trees that are all the same age and type, while others are more varied. Right now, surveys of these forests use the same method everywhere, which can waste time in simple areas and miss details in complex ones. Sky Young used LiDAR (3D mapping technology) to better understand forest structure and then developed a new mapping tool that helps forest managers see where the forest is more or less varied so they can plan their work more efficiently. Will Rose developed a web mapping tool that highlights areas with ground fire-prone soils and shows past wildfire data. The tool allows forest rangers to explore fire history and identify patterns to better prepare for future incidents.

Fraser Fir trees, found only in parts of the Appalachian Mountains, are endangered and now facing a new wave of unexplained die-offs. Truffaut Harper developed a tool using satellite imagery to detect dead trees and track changes over time. This innovative approach helps researchers track tree mortality and investigate potential causes from afar.

Molly Mansfield created a digital archive of forest research conducted in NC State’s managed forests, making it easier for students, faculty, and partners to access and build on past work. The tool even includes virtual tours of each area.

Smarter Planning, Zoning, and Transportation

Mapping is also key to how communities grow and move.

Benton Tripp helped Henderson County, NC clean up inconsistent property records by using machine learning to standardize land use categories, giving planners a clearer picture of how land is actually used.

To help improve how roads and other infrastructure are planned in North Carolina, Angela Cline explored how tax parcel data (information about who owns land and how it’s used) can be better used in transportation planning. Currently, different counties use different systems, making it hard to plan across regions. Cline created a web tool that shows how standardized, map-based property data can help planners see which properties would be affected by new infrastructure and make smarter decisions. 

Emma Butzler created tools that allow planners to simulate and compare how changes to roads or traffic patterns would impact travel times, helping them avoid guesswork when evaluating new road designs. And Meg Woodburn developed a scoring tool to help the NC Department of Transportation quickly flag unpaved roads that aren’t likely to qualify for paving, saving time and resources, especially in rural areas.

Discovering History Through Maps

Did you know that the first official act of American independence took place in Halifax County, North Carolina in 1776? Clayton Burston worked with county officials to celebrate the area’s history through an interactive website that lets residents and visitors explore evolving maps and landmarks at various points in time, from its indigenous roots to today.

A Capstone of Impact

This year’s MGIST capstone projects took place across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, using Geospatial Analytics to build highly technical tools that harness the power of place to address problems that are deeply personal: safer neighborhoods, cleaner water, a healthier environment, and more informed decisions.