Blog

Micah Seybold loved maps from an early age.  In university geography class he got serious about his interest and abandoned his plan to be a computer programmer.  However, his tech background did come in handy and lead to a GIS mapping job with the city of Lawrence.  Micah Seybold presides over a varied collection of digital maps, all of which are accessible by computer and even by smart phone.  The goals of his department include simplifying public access to city maps, eliminating the need for paper maps, and integrating GIS resources with business processes.  Each day he handles map and data information requests, catalogs related materials, performs spatial analysis, and strives to optimize workflow.  The use of digitalized maps and data saves time by creating efficiencies.  For example, digital maps may be used to design efficient service routes for transit or delivery of other services.  The city makes available a number of downloadable and interactive maps, including census tracts, bikeways, flood plains, crime, cemetery, tax districts, transit routes and more.  Users may customize maps by employing measurements, drawing on maps and even layering different maps.  Maps may be printed to PDF, JPG or other file formats.  All of these resources and assistance in using them are available at Lawrenceks.org/maps.

Making decisions that balance the needs of the environment, economy and society for both present and future generations is the goal of a cooperative sustainability program between the City of Lawrence and Douglas County.  Sustainability Coordinator Eileen Horn spoke to Lawrence Central Rotary about that task and the recent Four Star Rating Award for the Lawrence community.  The County and the City work together to achieve sustainability in operations, programs, and policies.  Presently, the areas of cooperation include emergency services, conservation, local food systems, renewable energy, alternative transportation, green building, waste reduction, recycling and economic development. The Lawrence community is very supportive of sustainability.  Eileen Horn works for the City and the County, both of which have advisory boards and sustainability plans.  (LCR’s Michael Steinle serves on both boards.)

There are only a few local government sustainability programs in Kansas and Lawrence is the first community in the state to achieve a Four Star Rating.  The award requires extensive documentation of achievements in numerous categories.  Lawrence received over 95% the available points in the categories of greenhouse gas mitigation, education, emergency services, safety, air quality, public infrastructure, public spaces, business retention and development, efficient buildings and community water systems.  The process also identifies areas that need more work, like climate adaptation, environmental justice, invasive species, quality jobs and living wages.  The Lawrence community is a great place to live and an award winning sustainability program is a strong investment in the future.  More information on the Star Award may be found at lawrenceks.org/star.