Gerrit VanderWaal
@gvwaal.bsky.social
Reposted by Gerrit VanderWaal
OpenStreetMap is the Wikipedia of maps: a publicly-available database of spacial information that anyone can edit. We sit down with prolific OSM contributor Jackson Kruger to talk about the best ways to use the data, and how to get comfortable with contributing to the project.
Demystifying OpenStreetMap
Come learn how to use and contribute to “the Wikipedia of maps,” OpenStreetMap!
streets.mn
November 24, 2025 at 1:50 PM
OpenStreetMap is the Wikipedia of maps: a publicly-available database of spacial information that anyone can edit. We sit down with prolific OSM contributor Jackson Kruger to talk about the best ways to use the data, and how to get comfortable with contributing to the project.
Visited the Hajduk Spring for the first time. The trek there was a good reminder of all the things I love/hate about hiking in the Gorge (no rattlers!)
It was cool seeing the old trail infra MPRB decided wasn't worth maintaining and the alluvial fan(?) created/preserved by the spring
It was cool seeing the old trail infra MPRB decided wasn't worth maintaining and the alluvial fan(?) created/preserved by the spring
November 22, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Visited the Hajduk Spring for the first time. The trek there was a good reminder of all the things I love/hate about hiking in the Gorge (no rattlers!)
It was cool seeing the old trail infra MPRB decided wasn't worth maintaining and the alluvial fan(?) created/preserved by the spring
It was cool seeing the old trail infra MPRB decided wasn't worth maintaining and the alluvial fan(?) created/preserved by the spring
Reposted by Gerrit VanderWaal
Finally finished my blog post on the Minneapolis Mayoral Election and demographics. I posted it to an old medium account that I forgot I had. Let me know what you think. Here's what I found 🧵 medium.com/@damia025/pr...
November 20, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Finally finished my blog post on the Minneapolis Mayoral Election and demographics. I posted it to an old medium account that I forgot I had. Let me know what you think. Here's what I found 🧵 medium.com/@damia025/pr...
Reposted by Gerrit VanderWaal
My finest work.
November 20, 2025 at 8:12 PM
My finest work.
Reposted by Gerrit VanderWaal
STARBUCKS ON STRIKE: Two arrested after super glue, expanding foam damages door locks at Starbucks in St. Anthony; protesters forced to move out of drive-through lane www.twincities.com/2025/11/19/t...
Two arrested after glue found in locks at St. Anthony Starbucks
Police forced a group of demonstrators to remove themselves from the driveway.
www.twincities.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:43 PM
STARBUCKS ON STRIKE: Two arrested after super glue, expanding foam damages door locks at Starbucks in St. Anthony; protesters forced to move out of drive-through lane www.twincities.com/2025/11/19/t...
Hennepin County released the 2025 leaf-off high res aerial imagery early this month! I was nervous it was going to be a repeat of 2024's where they flew it after the trees leaked out but that's thankfully not the case! What a great month for data!
gis-hennepin.hub.arcgis.com/pages/imager...
gis-hennepin.hub.arcgis.com/pages/imager...
Imagery
Hennepin GIS offers imagery web services in two formats: web map services (WMS) and ArcGIS map service.
gis-hennepin.hub.arcgis.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Hennepin County released the 2025 leaf-off high res aerial imagery early this month! I was nervous it was going to be a repeat of 2024's where they flew it after the trees leaked out but that's thankfully not the case! What a great month for data!
gis-hennepin.hub.arcgis.com/pages/imager...
gis-hennepin.hub.arcgis.com/pages/imager...
New LiDAR and DEMs for (most of) MN are officially released! When I last worked with this data in Nov 2024 it wasn't directly comparable with the 2011 LiDAR (major bummer) but I hope they've fixed that issue since last year. Thanks MnGeo and USGS!
www.mngeo.state.mn.us/chouse/eleva...
www.mngeo.state.mn.us/chouse/eleva...
Second Generation Lidar Elevation Data for Minnesota: 2021-2024
www.mngeo.state.mn.us
November 18, 2025 at 7:45 PM
New LiDAR and DEMs for (most of) MN are officially released! When I last worked with this data in Nov 2024 it wasn't directly comparable with the 2011 LiDAR (major bummer) but I hope they've fixed that issue since last year. Thanks MnGeo and USGS!
www.mngeo.state.mn.us/chouse/eleva...
www.mngeo.state.mn.us/chouse/eleva...
Reposted by Gerrit VanderWaal
Good column featuring my UMN Geography department colleagues. www.startribune.com/racism-mappi...
www.startribune.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Good column featuring my UMN Geography department colleagues. www.startribune.com/racism-mappi...
Reposted by Gerrit VanderWaal
I visited the Upper Harbor Terminal late this afternoon now that a new path is completed. The site offers some incredible views, new access to the river, and I think is going to be a popular spot! www.mwmo.org/projects/upper-h...
November 17, 2025 at 2:09 AM
I visited the Upper Harbor Terminal late this afternoon now that a new path is completed. The site offers some incredible views, new access to the river, and I think is going to be a popular spot! www.mwmo.org/projects/upper-h...
Reposted by Gerrit VanderWaal
I'm giving an online presentation tomorrow night about deep mapping and my book project, please tune in if you're interested! northwoodsandwaters.org/live-from-no...
Live! From North Woods and Waters | North Woods and Waters of the St. Croix Heritage Area
northwoodsandwaters.org
November 17, 2025 at 3:38 PM
I'm giving an online presentation tomorrow night about deep mapping and my book project, please tune in if you're interested! northwoodsandwaters.org/live-from-no...
Reposted by Gerrit VanderWaal
Ski lift operators are commiting what amounts to environmental crimes! 🤬
Since 2024, SATA which operates Deux Alpes ski area has levelled Mont De Lans Glacier and filled in a 2000 m² new glacial lake that had appeared around 2010... without any authorisation!
📷 GoogleEarth
1/
Since 2024, SATA which operates Deux Alpes ski area has levelled Mont De Lans Glacier and filled in a 2000 m² new glacial lake that had appeared around 2010... without any authorisation!
📷 GoogleEarth
1/
November 17, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Ski lift operators are commiting what amounts to environmental crimes! 🤬
Since 2024, SATA which operates Deux Alpes ski area has levelled Mont De Lans Glacier and filled in a 2000 m² new glacial lake that had appeared around 2010... without any authorisation!
📷 GoogleEarth
1/
Since 2024, SATA which operates Deux Alpes ski area has levelled Mont De Lans Glacier and filled in a 2000 m² new glacial lake that had appeared around 2010... without any authorisation!
📷 GoogleEarth
1/
Reposted by Gerrit VanderWaal
River Radio: St. Croix 360 joins conservation conversation
Founder Greg Seitz and other guests interviewed about local environmental topics.
Founder Greg Seitz and other guests interviewed about local environmental topics.
River Radio: St. Croix 360 joins conservation conversation
Founder Greg Seitz and other guests interviewed about local environmental topics.
www.stcroix360.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:51 PM
River Radio: St. Croix 360 joins conservation conversation
Founder Greg Seitz and other guests interviewed about local environmental topics.
Founder Greg Seitz and other guests interviewed about local environmental topics.
Reposted by Gerrit VanderWaal
Y'all go eat some food at Emily's Lebanese!
November 14, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Y'all go eat some food at Emily's Lebanese!
People who like maps, or helping your neighbors, or working with data, check this out! It's decent high-level overview on @openstreetmap.bsky.social. Would love to have more editors in our area!
Demystifying OpenStreetMap: https://streets.mn/2025/11/14/demystifying-openstreetmap/
Come learn how to use and contribute to "the Wikipedia of maps," OpenStreetMap!
Come learn how to use and contribute to "the Wikipedia of maps," OpenStreetMap!
November 14, 2025 at 2:37 PM
People who like maps, or helping your neighbors, or working with data, check this out! It's decent high-level overview on @openstreetmap.bsky.social. Would love to have more editors in our area!
Reposted by Gerrit VanderWaal
Wow. Can't say much else. The overhead corona was unbelievable. The most intense reds and greens. ❤️💚😍💃 She'll be dancing until sunrise.
I visited Franconia Sculpture Park over summer and it has been on my aurora photo bucket list ever since. That's where I went last night.
Schafer, Minnesota.
I visited Franconia Sculpture Park over summer and it has been on my aurora photo bucket list ever since. That's where I went last night.
Schafer, Minnesota.
November 12, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Wow. Can't say much else. The overhead corona was unbelievable. The most intense reds and greens. ❤️💚😍💃 She'll be dancing until sunrise.
I visited Franconia Sculpture Park over summer and it has been on my aurora photo bucket list ever since. That's where I went last night.
Schafer, Minnesota.
I visited Franconia Sculpture Park over summer and it has been on my aurora photo bucket list ever since. That's where I went last night.
Schafer, Minnesota.
@mnpca.bsky.social just released the feasibility study as to what to do about the huge pile of waste Ford left behind on the banks of the Mississippi! Just in time for a cozy winter weekend. Dig in!
mpca.commentinput.com?id=bHiGm8CU6
mpca.commentinput.com?id=bHiGm8CU6
Ford Twin Cities Plant Area C - Feasibility Study - Remediation
mpca.commentinput.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:10 PM
@mnpca.bsky.social just released the feasibility study as to what to do about the huge pile of waste Ford left behind on the banks of the Mississippi! Just in time for a cozy winter weekend. Dig in!
mpca.commentinput.com?id=bHiGm8CU6
mpca.commentinput.com?id=bHiGm8CU6
Reposted by Gerrit VanderWaal
DEEP DIVE: The Farmington Push for Responsible Hyper-Scale Data Centers: https://streets.mn/2025/11/07/deep-dive-the-farmington-push-for-responsible-hyper-scale-data-centers/
Residents around Farmington, MN are raising alarm over proposed hyper-scale data centres — pointing to massive water use,...
Residents around Farmington, MN are raising alarm over proposed hyper-scale data centres — pointing to massive water use,...
November 7, 2025 at 1:00 PM
DEEP DIVE: The Farmington Push for Responsible Hyper-Scale Data Centers: https://streets.mn/2025/11/07/deep-dive-the-farmington-push-for-responsible-hyper-scale-data-centers/
Residents around Farmington, MN are raising alarm over proposed hyper-scale data centres — pointing to massive water use,...
Residents around Farmington, MN are raising alarm over proposed hyper-scale data centres — pointing to massive water use,...
But in more positive fire news, the first controlled burn on Wisconsin Point (AKA the sand bar in Superior across from Duluth's Park Point) in 150 years!
The 22-acre burn clears invasive species, returns nutrients to the soil and helps native plants thrive, organizers said.
Ishkode returns to Wisconsin Point
The 22-acre burn clears invasive species, returns nutrients to the soil and helps native plants thrive, organizers said.
www.duluthnewstribune.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:57 PM
But in more positive fire news, the first controlled burn on Wisconsin Point (AKA the sand bar in Superior across from Duluth's Park Point) in 150 years!
What will it take for people to stop leaving fire unattended? Is this just a symptom of toxic individualism? Incredibly frustrating and I don't even live in the communities most at risk for these fires, ugh
The blaze, which destroyed more than 150 structures in the Brimson area, was the result of an unattended campfire, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Duluth man pleads guilty to starting Camp House Fire
The blaze, which destroyed more than 150 structures in the Brimson area, was the result of an unattended campfire, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
www.duluthnewstribune.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:51 PM
What will it take for people to stop leaving fire unattended? Is this just a symptom of toxic individualism? Incredibly frustrating and I don't even live in the communities most at risk for these fires, ugh
Reposted by Gerrit VanderWaal
Hi all, please spread the word and we hope everyone can make good use of this new data drop: cmfdata.org
The full surviving establishment-level Census of Manufactures manuscripts and digitized data from 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880!
The full surviving establishment-level Census of Manufactures manuscripts and digitized data from 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880!
Historical Census of Manufactures Microdata - Historical Census of Manufactures Microdata
CMFdata.org
November 6, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Hi all, please spread the word and we hope everyone can make good use of this new data drop: cmfdata.org
The full surviving establishment-level Census of Manufactures manuscripts and digitized data from 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880!
The full surviving establishment-level Census of Manufactures manuscripts and digitized data from 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880!
Reposted by Gerrit VanderWaal
Wondering why no one likes your posts anymore, even among your friends? It's because @jay.bsky.team and team have decided to hide a huge amount of content from all of our feeds by default.
Here's how to turn it off.
First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
Here's how to turn it off.
First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
November 6, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Wondering why no one likes your posts anymore, even among your friends? It's because @jay.bsky.team and team have decided to hide a huge amount of content from all of our feeds by default.
Here's how to turn it off.
First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
Here's how to turn it off.
First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
Reposted by Gerrit VanderWaal
sign for the transgender day of remembrance vigil and rally in loring park on 11/20 from 6-7:30pm
November 6, 2025 at 5:03 PM
sign for the transgender day of remembrance vigil and rally in loring park on 11/20 from 6-7:30pm
Reposted by Gerrit VanderWaal
I missed a couple days of the #30DayMapChallenge but it was seriously because I was working on a big map project and reading academic articles about deep mapping. Anyway here's one of my favorite places.
November 6, 2025 at 4:11 AM
I missed a couple days of the #30DayMapChallenge but it was seriously because I was working on a big map project and reading academic articles about deep mapping. Anyway here's one of my favorite places.
Reposted by Gerrit VanderWaal
November 5, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Reposted by Gerrit VanderWaal
Tell me who the mayor is so I can do anything else with my day other than refreshing websites please.
November 5, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Tell me who the mayor is so I can do anything else with my day other than refreshing websites please.